It seems like every month new options are coming onto the market. This allows investors to tap into broad based and thematic funds.

However three providers dominate the market: Vanguard, Betashares and iShares. 

As of April 2026, funds under management were: 

• Vanguard: $95.17b
• Betashares: $67.44b
• iShares: $57.79b. 

Today, the spotlight is on the best performing funds from iShares. 

This can be a great way to understand what themes, sectors, and regions have been driving returns. It can also help investors decide whether any of these ETFs deserve a place on your watch list.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Msci South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO)

This ASX ETF has surged 170% in the last 12 months, making it the best performing fund from iShares in that span. 

The fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index.

The index is designed to measure the performance of Korean large and mid-capitalisation companies.

This ASX ETF has surged because it is heavily exposed to Korean semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which are benefiting from booming global demand for AI infrastructure and memory chips. 

Investors have also piled into Korean equities because valuations were far cheaper than US tech stocks, triggering a broad rerating of the Korean share market.

It's no secret the ASX is thin when it comes to exposure to groundbreaking technology companies. 

This fund from iShares could be an ideal complement to add the backbone of the global memory chip/semiconductor industry to your portfolio. 

Another reason to add this fund to your portfolio would be to diversify away from Australian and US overexposure. 

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA)

It has been a similar story for this Asian equities focussed ASX ETF. 

The fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P Asia 50 Index, before fees and expenses. The index is designed to measure the performance of 50 of the largest Asian companies domiciled in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. 

It has benefited from similar tailwinds to the previously listed, Korean focussed fund. 

Over the last 12 months, these tailwinds have driven a 56% rise for this ASX ETF. 

iShares Msci Emerging Markets Ex China ETF (ASX: EMXC)

Another high performing fund has been this emerging markets themed ETF. 

This ASX ETF aims to provide investors with the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the equity market performance in global emerging markets, excluding China.

It has attracted investors looking for emerging markets exposure without the risks tied to China, with strong performances from India, Taiwan, and South Korea helping drive returns higher.

It is up more than 40% in the last 12 months. 

The post Here are the 3 best performing iShares ASX ETFs over the last year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Australia's benchmark index dipped again yesterday to start the week in the red. 

It is now down 2.5% over the last month. 

History tells us that we can expect annual returns of between 7% and 9% for the ASX 200 on an average year. 

However it's important to understand this isn't a consistent, year to year return. 

Some years the ASX 200 has rocketed almost 20%, like back in 2019. 

Meanwhile, other years it will drop over a 12 month period. 

This is why it's important for investors to geographically diversify their portfolio by also investing in equities outside Australia.

While certain Australian equities lag, companies in other countries are performing well. 

One way to do this is through ASX listed ETFs. 

Here are three funds that have raced past the ASX 200 this year

Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

This ASX ETF enjoyed a 5% gain yesterday, taking its year to date rise to 60%. 

The fund invests in companies that stand to potentially benefit from the broader adoption of tech-enabled devices that require semiconductors. This includes the development and manufacturing of semiconductors.

Semiconductors, essential for AI, are strategic assets due to their ability to control electricity and power modern electronics, likened to "brains and nerves" of devices.

Geographically, the companies that make up the fund are mostly from: 

• United States (66.55%)
• Taiwan (11.38%)
• Netherlands (8.30%). 

Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA)

This ASX ETF tracks the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) comprising the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan). 

ASIA ETF provides diversified exposure to a high-growth sector that is under-represented in the Australian sharemarket, and a complement to investors with U.S. technology exposure.

This fund is up an impressive 38% year to date. 

It is up more than 90% over the last 12 months.

iShares Msci Emerging Markets Ex China ETF (ASX: EMXC)

This ASX ETF aims to provide investors with the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the equity market performance in global emerging markets, excluding China.

It includes a large exposure to information technology and financials shares. 

Its top geographic exposure is to: 

• Taiwan (32.6%)
• South Korea (23.9%)
• India (15.4%). 

Since the start of 2026, the fund has risen more than 21%. 

The post 3 ASX ETFs that have raced ahead this year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.