As is the case with other ETF providers this season, there are some mega dividends on the list.

The biggest dollar-value dividend on the iShares schedule is $13.98 per unit for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO) units.

The iShares Global 100 (Currency-hedged) ETF (ASX: IHOO) will pay investors $11.82 per unit, making it another major payer.

Examples of other mega dividends this season include a VanEck fund paying $17.99 per unit and a Global X fund paying $16.26 per unit.

The ex-dividend date for iShares ETFs is tomorrow, 1 July. BlackRock will pay ASX ETF investors on 13 July. 

iShares ASX ETF dividends

Here is an abridged list of estimated distributions that iShares ETF investors will receive on 13 July.

Own other ASX ETFs?

If you own Vanguard ETFs such as Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), see this season's dividends here.

Invested in VanEck ETFs such as VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX)? View distributions here.

If you own Global X ETFs like Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) or Global X Fang+ ETF (ASX: FANG), see a list of dividends here.

The post Own ASX IVV or other iShares ETFs? Here is your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For more than 70 years, the US has been at the centre of the global financial system. Even after the US-dictated 'Bretton-Woods' gold standard collapsed in the 1970s, the vast majority of world trade has, and continues to occur, in US dollars.

However, many investors are asking how long American dominance of the financial system will continue. US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his disdain for multilateral forums like NATO, the United Nations (UN), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), viewing them through his 'America First' ideology as unnecessary drains on American resources.

If American power and influence on the international stage does decline, the logical heir, at least in many minds, is China.

China is the world's second-largest economy and has made no effort to hide its own superpower ambitions. China already dominates several future-facing industries, including electric vehicles, rare earths processing, and renewable energy.

So, is now the time to invest in China?

One of the easiest ways to do so from the ASX is through the iShares China Large-Cap ETF. This exchange-traded fund (ETF) holds a basket of 50 of the largest Chinese stocks. These stocks are dominated by China's largest tech titans, including Alibaba, Tencent, and Xiaomi. These companies currently make up 9.01%, 8.16%, and 7.97% of IZZ's portfolio, respectively. Other names that might be familiar to readers include carmaker BYD and food delivery giant Meituan.

If an ASX investor wishes to invest in China, this ETF provides one of the simplest paths.

Is IZZ a buy today?

This ASX ETF might prove to be a long-term winner for ASX investors, particularly if the US does continue to bleed power and influence to China.

However, I won't be buying it.

I happen to take Warren Buffett at his word when he tells us to 'never bet against America'. Sure, the America of 2026 is not the same America that most of us grew up with. However, I think this country's long history of innovation and open markets will continue to enable it to produce the best companies in the world. Plus, for all we know, the US could elect a very different President in 2028.

Right now, that is certainly the case. China may have some impressive companies. But none, at least in my view, can rival Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Coca-Cola, Tesla, Netflix, and many, many others in terms of global reach and dominance.

China does not have the political polarisation of America. But it is also a country that coerces its companies to place loyalty to the Chinese state above its shareholders' interests, and to obey the central government's every whim. That's not something that many investors in Australia would welcome, I'd wager. It does not technically even allow non-citizens to directly own shares of Chinese companies (look it up).

As such, I would rather put my money in a country that values financial transparency and has always been the home of the world's best businesses. Its politics might be volatile. But the American financial system remains the central pillar of the global economy. As such, I'm listening to Uncle Warren on this one.

The iShares China Large- Cap ETF charges a management fee of 0.6% per annum. As of 31 March, it has returned an average of 5.63% per annum since its 2004 inception.

The post With the US flailing, is it time to buy the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (IZZ)? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

According to Alice Shen, Portfolio Manager, Vaneck, during global geopolitical conflict, countries that rely heavily on imported energy can be particularly exposed. 

This is due to rising oil prices trickling through to inflation and production, and negatively impacting economic growth expectations.

However, China's onshore equity market has shown relative resilience. 

During the recent oil price spike following tensions in the Middle East, the CSI 300 Index, the benchmark for China's A-share market, experienced comparatively modest moves relative to many global equity markets.

She said there are two structural factors that may help explain this resilience.

Energy strategy

According to the report, China has spent years pursuing a more diversified energy strategy. This may be helping cushion the impact of oil market shocks. 

VanEck said strategic oil reserves have been steadily built up since last year. This has helped reduce the immediate sensitivity of the economy to supply disruptions.

While coal remains the dominant source of energy, China has also been increasing its renewable energy capacity for many years.

According to the International Energy Agency, IEA, China accounted for roughly 40% of global renewable capacity expansion between 2019 and 2024. Enhance competitiveness of both solar and onshore wind energy generation, combined with improvements in energy storage and system integration, is gradually broadening the country's energy base.

Diversification and defence potential

VanEck also noted that while China A-shares are not traditionally viewed as a defensive asset class, recent market behaviour has highlighted how domestic policy drivers and structural economic trends can sometimes decouple the market from global macro shocks.

The report also highlighted that at the country's latest Two Sessions meeting, it pointed towards moderate and "quality growth." This is set to be driven by domestic demand, technological self-reliance, and structural transformation rather than aggressive stimulus. 

How to gain exposure with ASX ETFs

For investors optimistic on the long-term prospects of Chinese equities, there are plenty of ASX ETFs to consider. 

Three notable options include: 

• VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW) – Invests in 120 fundamentally sound and attractively valued companies with growth prospects in China's New Economy, targeting technology, healthcare, and consumer staples and consumer discretionary sectors.
• VanEck Ftse China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF) – Invests in a diversified portfolio comprising the 50 largest companies in the mainland (A-shares) Chinese market
• iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ). 

Other ASX ETFs with Chinese exposure include: 

• Betashares Capital Ltd – Asia Technology Tigers Etf (ASX: ASIA) – Targets the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan).
• VanEck Msci Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (ASX: EMKT) – Invests in a diversified portfolio of emerging market companies with value, low size, momentum and quality characteristics. Approximately 25% of the fund is currently allocated to China.

The post The unexpected global market showing resilience – 3 ASX ETFs to target appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

China's economy remains the world's second largest. And despite a choppy few years, it continues to grow at a pace that outstrips most developed markets. Policymakers are targeting consumption, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and technology as the next engines of expansion.

For ASX investors wanting exposure to China without picking individual stocks, these three low-cost ASX ETFs offer a simple entry point.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

This fund tracks the FTSE China 50 Index and provides exposure to 50 of the largest Chinese companies. Most of them are listed in Hong Kong.

Major holdings typically include Tencent Holdings Ltd (HKEX: 700), Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (HKEX: 9988) and China Construction Bank Corp. (SSE: 601939). These are dominant players in technology, e-commerce, financial services and consumer platforms.

The strength of IZZ lies in its focus on established giants that sit at the heart of China's corporate landscape. Investors gain diversified exposure to market leaders with strong balance sheets and deep competitive advantages.

The flip side is concentration risk. Large technology and financial stocks can dominate returns, and regulatory crackdowns or geopolitical tensions can hit these names hard. Reporting standards and government influence also remain ongoing risks.

VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW)

This ASX ETF targets companies positioned to benefit from China's shift toward innovation, healthcare, consumer brands and advanced technology.

Instead of old-economy state-owned banks and energy firms, investors gain access to areas such as biotech, electric vehicles, online services and premium consumer goods.

Holdings have included companies like BYD Company Ltd (SZSE: 002594), Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (HKEX: 3750) and healthcare and technology innovators.

The key appeal of this ASX ETF is its alignment with structural growth themes. As China's middle class expands and domestic consumption rises, these sectors could outpace traditional industries.

However, growth stocks can be volatile. Earnings expectations are often high, and policy changes affecting data security, gaming, education or healthcare can quickly dent valuations.

VanEck FTSE China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF)

A third fund worth a look is the VanEck FTSE China A50 ETF. This ASX ETF tracks the FTSE China A50 Index and invests in 50 of the largest companies listed on mainland exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen.

That means direct exposure to so-called A-shares. Top holdings commonly include Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd (SSE: 600519), China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd (HKEX: 3968) and leading industrial or renewable energy names.

The advantage of CETF is its closer link to China's domestic economy. A-shares often capture companies more focused on internal demand rather than offshore listings. This can provide diversification relative to Hong Kong-listed giants.

The risk, however, lies in sensitivity to domestic policy settings and liquidity conditions. Mainland markets can be more volatile, and foreign investor access rules can evolve over time.

Foolish Takeaway

All these ASX ETFs give investors the opportunity to enter China's long-term growth story. Yet investors must factor in currency movements, regulatory shifts and geopolitical tensions before diving in.

For those comfortable with the risks, adding measured China exposure through an ASX-listed ETF could offer meaningful diversification and growth potential over the long haul.

The post 3 ASX ETFs to target China's long-term growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In its Investment and Economic Outlook report, the investment firm provided commentary on Australia, USA, Mexico, Japan, UK, Canada, Europe, and China. 

Chinese equities have been an emerging story for global investors thanks to the country's AI development and exposure.

China is a global leader in semiconductor production, but it isn't limiting its AI participation to this segment. 

Last month, I covered that Chinese companies engaged in battery manufacturing and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have been benefiting from the Chinese AI boom. 

However, a new report from Vanguard has provided a more modest outlook on Chinese equities moving forward. 

AI to drive near-term growth, but upside is limited

In yesterday's report from Vanguard, the ETF provider said China's AI development appears faster but less impactful than that of the US. 

According to the report, China's front-loaded strategy is driven by a strong digital ecosystem, robust energy infrastructure, greater acceptance of AI, aggressive government funding, and a vast talent pool in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Vanguard said these factors imply near-term upside risk, but it sees more limited upside potential for capital deepening and productivity gains. 

Efficient models and strong infrastructure reduce the need for heavy investment, and China's labour market is significantly less exposed to potential AI automation because jobs are far more concentrated in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction than in the US.

Commenting on this outlook, Grant Feng, Vanguard Senior Economist, said: 

Faster AI adoption in China will boost real growth in the near term, but the upside potential is limited for future capital deepening and productivity gains. Structural headwinds are strong, and AI alone won't be enough to lift the economy.

The report said Vanguard expects GDP growth to ease modestly to 4.5% in 2026, with tariff drags partly offset by a rebound in manufacturing and infrastructure investment. 

How can Aussie investors get exposure to Chinese equities?

For Aussie investors more bullish on the Chinese market, there are a few pure-play thematic ETFs to consider. 

The first is the iShares China Large-Cap AUD ETF (ASX: IZZ). 

As the name suggests, it is designed to measure the performance of 50 of the largest and most liquid Chinese companies that trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

It has risen roughly 13.8% in the last year. 

Investors more focused on Chinese tech exposure might consider the Global X China Tech ETF (ASX: DRGN). 

It offers access to 20 leading Chinese technology companies listed in Hong Kong and Mainland across 15 core sectors, including semiconductors, robotics, software, and internet platforms.

It has risen more than 20% in the last year. 

Finally, VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW) offers exposure to roughly 120 Chinese companies with growth prospects in sectors that make up 'the New Economy'. 

These are sectors such as technology, health care, consumer staples, and consumer discretionary.

It has risen 14% in the last 12 months. 

The post Should Aussie investors have exposure to Chinese equities in 2026? – Expert  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As will a slew of other investors holding iShares ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) comprised of international shares.

Here's how much you can expect to receive, according to the final distributions schedule.

If you've chosen to reinvest your dividends via the distribution reinvestment plan (DRP), we've also included those DRP unit prices below.

Here's how much you'll receive in dividends

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts that investors in these iShares ETFs will receive today.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) will pay 20.14 cents per unit. The DRP price is $68.66 per unit.

The iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO) will pay 56.02 cents per unit. The DRP price is $187.62.

The iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA) will pay 102.25 cents per unit. The DRP price is $142.61.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (ASX: IEM) will pay 60.22 cents per unit. The DRP price is $81.78.

The iShares Europe ETF (ASX: IEU) will pay 111.47 cents per unit. The DRP price is $101.12.

The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (ASX: IJP) will pay 463.45 cents per unit. The DRP price is $112.01.

The iShares S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ASX: IJH) will pay 20.52 cents per unit. The DRP price is $50.12.

The iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR) will pay 72.41 cents per unit. The DRP price is $183.87.

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI) will pay 70.97 cents per unit. The DRP price is $96.03.

The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ) will pay 72.35 cents per unit. The DRP price is $144.79.

The iShares S&P China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ) will pay 47.14 cents per unit. The DRP price is $56.91.

More dividends to come

If you hold iShares ETFs comprised of ASX shares, you will receive your dividend payments on 19 January.

Blackrock finalised the amounts to be paid this week.

Some examples of these ETFS include the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ), which will pay 18.37 cents per unit.

iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF (ASX: ILC) will pay 19.91 cents per unit.

iShares S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF (ASX: ISO) will pay 4.78 cents per unit.

iShares Yield Plus ETF (ASX: IYLD) will pay investors 38.01 cents per unit.

iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF (ASX: ALTB) will pay 64.48 cents per unit.

iShares S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunities ESG Screened ETF (ASX: IHD) will pay 14.52 cents per unit.

The post Own IVV or IOO ETFs? It's dividend payday for you! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ETFs, which all hold international shares, include iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) and iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO).

According to the final distributions schedule, BlackRock will pay ASX ETF investors next Friday, 9 January.

BlackRock has also announced the unit price for each ETF's distribution reinvestment plan (DRP).

Here are the details below.

Dividend amounts for iShares ASX ETF investors

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts that investors in these iShares ETFs will receive on 9 January.

The iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) will pay 20.139782 cents per unit. The DRP price is $68.66.

The iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO) will pay 56.022206 cents per unit. The DRP price is $187.62.

The iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA) will pay 102.246930 cents per unit. The DRP price is $142.61.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (ASX: IEM) will pay 60.218221 cents per unit. The DRP price is $81.78.

The iShares Europe ETF (ASX: IEU) will pay 111.471175 cents per unit. The DRP price is $101.12.

The iShares MSCI Japan ETF (ASX: IJP) will pay 463.446530 cents per unit. The DRP price is $112.01.

The iShares S&P Mid-Cap ETF (ASX: IJH) will pay 20.521395 cents per unit. The DRP price is $50.12.

The iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR) will pay 72.410620 cents per unit. The DRP price is $183.87.

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI) will pay 70.973956 cents per unit. The DRP price is $96.03.

The iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ) will pay 72.347038 cents per unit. The DRP price is $144.79.

The iShares S&P China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ) will pay 47.139823 cents per unit. The DRP price is $56.91.

More dividend announcements to come

BlackRock will announce the estimated dividends for a second group of ETFs, which all hold ASX shares, on 6 January.

Those ETFs will include the iShares Core S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) and the iShares S&P/ASX 20 ETF (ASX: ILC).

The ex-dividend date will be 7 January.

BlackRock will announce the finalised distribution amounts on 8 January and send payments to investors on 19 January.

The post Own IVV or IOO ETFs? Here's your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's all so easy. Just one transaction and brokerage fee will net you a big basket of US shares or stocks in other overseas markets.

The trend is clear: The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is the second most popular ASX ETF today.

The US stock market's outperformance in recent years has inspired this trend.

That outperformance repeated in FY25, but not to the same extent as previous years.

S&P 500 Index (SP: INX) shares lifted by 13.63% and delivered a total return of 15.16% in FY25.

By comparison, S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose by 9.97% and delivered a total return of 13.81%.

Here, we review newly published ASX data showing which ETFs holding overseas stocks produced the best returns for investors in FY25.

Total returns incorporate both share price gains and distributions (or dividends).

Top 6 international ETFs for total returns in FY25

According to the data, here are the top six ETFs:

BetaShares Video Games and Esports ETF (ASX: GAME)

The GAME ETF delivered an astronomical 12-month return of 90.33%. The historical distribution yield is 0.77%.

This ASX exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $13.47 million and a management expense ratio (MER) of 0.57%.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

The ESPO ETF delivered a similarly stunning annual return of 66.41%. The historical distribution yield is 4.97%.

This ETF has a market cap of $95.65 million and a MER of 0.55%.

Betashares Global Gold Miners ETF — Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS)

The MNRS ETF delivered a total annual return of 54.68%. The historical distribution yield is 0.26%.

This exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $102.13 million and a MER of 0.57%.

VanEck Gold Miners ET (ASX: GDX)

The VanEck Gold Miners ETF delivered an outstanding one-year return of 52.68%. The historical distribution yield is 0.8%.

A substantial lift in the gold commodity price was a significant tailwind for this ETF last financial year.

This ETF has a market cap of $800.7 million and a MER of 0.53%.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

The IZZ ETF delivered a total annual return of 44.86%. The historical distribution yield is 3.75%.

This ETF has a market cap of $404.11 million and a MER of 0.6%.

Hyperion Global Growth Companies Fund – Active ETF (ASX: HYGG)

The HYGG ETF delivered a one-year return of 37.14%. There is no historical distribution.

This ETF has a market cap of $3,555.21 million and a MER of 0.7%.

The post Which ASX ETFs holding international shares gave investors the best returns in FY25? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Today, let's look at some of the best performing funds managed by iShares. 

iShares is the exchange-traded fund (ETF) brand owned by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. 

In the context of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), iShares offers a range of ETFs that provide Australian investors with access to local and global markets.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

As the name suggests, this fund is designed to measure the performance of 50 of the largest and most liquid Chinese companies which trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Its largest holdings are Tencent Holdings (8.69% weighting) and Xiaomi Corp (8.5%). 

In the last year, the fund has risen an impressive 41.01%. 

This fund could suit investors seeking direct exposure to China's large-cap companies without picking individual stocks, particularly those who believe in China's long-term growth and expanding middle class. 

It could be ideal for diversifying a global or Australian portfolio with an emerging markets tilt, provided the investor is comfortable with the regulatory and political risks associated with Chinese equities.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Europe ETF (ASX: IEU)

Many Australian investors may not be aware that European focussed ETFs such as IEU outpaced the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) over the last year. 

The IEU fund tracks the performance of the S&P Europe 350 from 16 major developed European markets.

In the past year it has grown 16.32%. 

Its largest geographical exposure is to the United Kingdom (23.13%), France (16.8%), Germany (15.49%) and Switzerland (14.3%). 

It could suit investors seeking to diversify their portfolio internationally with relatively stable, mature markets, and who believe in the long-term strength of European industrials, financials, and consumer companies.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (ASX: IVE)

This fund has a diverse portfolio with a broad range of companies in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Far East. 

None of the holdings make up more than 2% of the fund, with the largest exposure being to the financial and industrials sectors. 

It is up 13.40% over the last year. 

It could benefit investors aiming to diversify beyond Australia and the U.S., while staying within the relative stability of developed markets.

The post Best performing iShares ASX ETFs in the last year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The United States fired the first shots, with US President Donald Trump initially placing a 25% import tax on goods entering the United States economy from the People's Republic of China.

That 25% tariff now feels like a long time ago. In a series of escalations that have descended into an outright trade war, China has retaliated, with the US retaliating to China's retaliation. As it currently stands, the US imposes a massive 145% tariff on Chinese imports, while the Chinese government reciprocates with a 125% levy on American imports.

Only a few days ago, Trump announced that certain electronics would be exempt from the China tariff. But those narrow exemptions are the only concession either side has made so far in this growing trade war.

This whole saga appears to be a classic game of brinkmanship. When it will end is anyone's guess. Meanwhile, every other country is breathing a sigh of relief after Trump delayed the imposition of the other (and severe in many cases) 'reciprocal' tariffs that he first announced on 'Liberation Day' on 2 April.

For now, there is no global trade war.

However, don't forget that the US still maintains a baseline 10% tariff on most imports entering the United States.

So, it goes without saying that both the US and Chinese economies are about to enter a volatile period, with China's economy arguably in the firing line. They previously had a very lucrative trade relationship worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Now, direct trade between the two countries will almost certainly grind to a halt.

These ASX ETFs are in the trade war firing line

This trade war has implications for investors, even here on the ASX.

So, which ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are the most exposed to the Chinese economy? That's what we'll be diving into next.

Obviously, any ASX ETF that holds a significant number of Chinese stocks will bear the brunt of any fallout in the Chinese stock markets.

First up, let's check out the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ).

This ASX ETF is completely exposed to Chinese stocks. It holds around 50 of the largest Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Some of its largest holdings include Tencent, Alibaba, Meituan, and Xiaomi Corp.

The iShares China Large-Cap ETF is down by more than 14% since mid-March.

What about mainland Chinese stocks?

Another China-focused fund that might cop some heat from the trade war is the VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW).

This ETF is a little different from IZZ. Instead of the Hong Kong stock exchange, CNEW exclusively tracks consumer discretionary, consumer staples, healthcare, and tech stocks listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. Its largest holdings include Yankership Food Co, Runben Biotechnology Co, and Shanghai Allist Pharmaceuticals.

At current pricing, the VanEck China New Economy ETF has slumped by around 9% since mid-March.

A final fund that could take a trade war hit is the VanEck FTSE China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF). This fund is similar to IZZ. However, it holds 50 of the largest companies on mainland China's stock exchanges, rather than Hong Kong.

Its largest stocks include Kweichow Moutai Co, BYD Co, China Yangtze Power Co, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

CETF units have retreated by more than 6% since mid-March.

The post Trade war heats up: Which ASX ETFs are most exposed to China? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

International ASX ETFs offer investors exposure to US shares, emerging markets, and other markets.

As we've previously reported, Australian investors poured more than twice as much money into ETFs holding international shares than Aussie shares over the first three quarters of 2024.

In this article, we review newly published figures from the ASX revealing which ETFs holding overseas stocks dished up the best total returns in the calendar year 2024.

Total returns incorporate both share price gains and distributions (or dividends).

Top 6 international ASX ETFs for total returns in 2024

According to the data, here are the top six ETFs:

Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

The FANG+ ETF delivered an outstanding one-year return of 65.08%. The historical distribution yield is 4.29%.

This ETF has a market cap of $177.02 million and a management expense ratio (MER) of 0.35%.

VanEck Video Gaming and Esports ETF (ASX: ESPO)

The ESPO ETF delivered a similarly stunning annual return of 63.1%. The historical distribution yield is 0.47%.

This ETF has a market cap of $78.95 million and a MER of 0.55%.

BetaShares Video Games and Esports ETF (ASX: GAME)

The GAME ETF delivered a 12-month return of 54.38%. The historical distribution yield is 0.26%.

This ASX exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $4.49 million and a MER of 0.57%.

BetaShares Geared US Equity Fund Currency Hedged (Hedge Fund) (ASX: GGUS)

The GGUS ETF delivered a total annual return of 45.19%. There is no historical distribution yield.

This exchange-traded fund has a market cap of $277.59 million and a MER of 0.8%.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

The IZZ ETF delivered a total annual return of 44.03%. The historical distribution yield is 3.19%.

This ETF has a market cap of $299.81 million and a MER of 0.6%.

Global X US 100 ETF (ASX: U100)

The U100 ETF delivered a one-year return of 43.23%. The historical distribution yield is 0.24%.

This ASX ETF has a market cap of $55.49 million and a MER of 0.24%.

More about the No. 1 international shares ETF

The FANG+ ETF provides concentrated exposure to 10 companies.

They include six of the US Magnificent Seven. Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) is excluded.

According to ETF provider, Global X:

The Global X FANG+ ETF (FANG) seeks to invest in companies at the leading edge of next-generation technology …

Next-gen technology spans multiple segments, and its most innovative companies include both household names and newcomers from around the world.

The post Which ASX ETFs holding international shares delivered the best returns in 2024? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Over the past month, the CSI 300 Index, which covers 300 of the largest Chinese stocks listed on both the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, has rocketed by a whopping 25.84%. 25.06% of those gains have come since 23 September, just over a fortnight ago.

That happens to be when the Chinese government announced a major new stimulus package for the country's economy. As we covered at the time, this could see up to US$140 billion in liquidity deployed by the People's Bank of China to stimulate economic growth.

This has already turbocharged Chinese stocks, which, until last month, had been languishing for years.

However, one ASX expert is predicting that we could see even more government stimulus in China. As a result, he is buying up Chinese stocks on the assumption that they are too cheap to ignore.

As reported by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) this week, Regal Partners' chief investment officer, Phil King, reportedly told investors that having at least some exposure to the Chinese markets was important right now simply because "valuations are so compelling". Here's some more of what he told investors:

I hate to say this, but sometimes you've just got to close your eyes and buy things because they're just too cheap…The bear market in China is nearing its completion, and we think we'll see Chinese equities turn around a long time before they solve all the problems in the economy.

How to buy Chinese stocks on the ASX?

So, if ASX investors wished to follow King's advice and buy Chinese stocks, how can they do so?

Well, it's a little bit tricker than you might assume. Unlike other stock markets like Britain, Japan and the United States, ASX brokers don't usually offer access to Chinese stocks directly. That's because Chinese laws generally prohibit foreigners from owning stocks themselves.

But that doesn't mean Australian investors can't buy Chinese stocks at all. The easiest way to do so is by owning them indirectly. There are a few managed funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Australia that offer Chinese exposure.

One such ETF is the VanEck FTSE China A50 ETF (ASX: CETF). Last week, we covered how this ASX ETF has rallied convincingly in recent weeks. CETF's portfolio gives indirect access to 50 of the largest Chinese stocks on the market, so that's a useful proxy if you wish to add a slice of China to your ASX portfolio.

Another option is the VanEck China New Economy ETF (ASX: CNEW). This fund covers more than 100 Chinese stocks, with a special focus on those in 'future-facing' sectors like tech, consumer goods, and healthcare.

A final ASX ETF to consider for Chinese exposure is the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ). This China-focused fund is similar in nature to CETF, offering ASX investors an underlying portfolio of 50 of the largest stocks in China.

Considering the difficulties of investing directly in Chinese stocks, these ASX ETFs are probably the easiest way to add these exotic shares to an ASX portfolio today.

The post Here's how to buy Chinese stocks on the ASX appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

So it might come as something of a surprise to learn that this fund was in the top three best-performing ASX ETFs of November. Yep, over the month just passed, the BetaShares Asia Tigers ETF rose from $5.68 to the $6.74 price it closed at yesterday. That's a gain worth an impressive 18.66%.

As it happens, all three of the ASX 's highest-performing ETFs last month had large positions in the Chinese markets.

In addition to the BetaShares Asia Tigers ETF, the iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ) and the iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA) both had stellar months too.

This optimism could reflect anticipation that China could, at last, begin to relinquish its long-held and ultra-strict 'zero-COVID' policies that the country has stuck to since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

China has been facing rolling protests in recent weeks over its lockdown-happy policies. Those are policies that have been abandoned in most other countries of the world.

So if China does indeed start to open up, is the BetaShares Asia Tigers ETF a good way to play this reopening?

Is the BetaShares Asia Tigers ETF a bet on a reopened China?

Well, let's look at the fund's underlying portfolio to gauge this.

So the BetaShares Asia Tigers ETF doesn't just invest in China and Chinese companies. It is exposed to other countries like Taiwan, South Korea and India as well.

Saying that, almost half of this ETF's portfolio is weighted towards Chinese and Hong-Kong listed shares. Its third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth largest shares are all Chinese. They include names like Alibaba, Tencent Holdings, Pinduoduo and JD.com.

So while the BetaSahres Asia Tigers ETF is not a China pure-play, it is certainly highly exposed to the Chinese markets. The past month has proven that it is a valid investment for anyone looking to potentially benefit from a Chinese reopening. Although perhaps not quite as China-exposed as the iShares China Large-Cap ETF.

But remember, China has to officially reopen first. That is certainly not a given at this point, whatever the markets are hoping for.

The post Is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA) an ASX buy for China's reopening? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Thus, it's a good time to start having a look back at the month that is just about to pass us by and see what kinds of investments were making hay.

So without further ado, here are the ASX's three top-performing ETFs of November as they currently stand. See if you can spot a theme.

Here are the top 3 ASX ETFs of November

iShares Asia 50 ETF (ASX: IAA)

Our first ETF today is one from provider iShares. It covers the largest 50 companies listed across multiple Asian countries, including China, Kong Kong, Macau, Singapore, South Kora and Taiwan. Its largest holdings include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai and Baidu.

The iShares Asia 50 ETF has had a stellar month over November. It started the month at a unit price of $72.04. But at the time of writing, it is commanding a price of $83.60. That's a gain worth just over 16%.

BetaShares Asian Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The BetaShares Asian Tigers ETF is next up. Here we have an ETF that is similar in nature and coverage to the iShares Asia 50 fund, but with a portfolio more concentrated towards tech shares.

We also have holdings like Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co in the top portfolio spots. But more dominant are Chinese tech names like Alibaba, Tencent Holdings and Pinduoduo.

The Asian Tigers ETF began November at a price of $5.68 per unit. But today, those same units are asking $6.72 each. That's a gain worth 18.3% for the month as it currently stands.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

This ETF from iShares is our final and best-performing ASX ETF from November. It covers some of the largest companies listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Again, you might recognise some of its largest holdings, including Alibaba, Tencent Holdings, Meituan and JD.com.

The iShares China Large-Cap ETF has had a rough few years. Even today, it has lost an average of 9.48% per annum over the past five years. But we can't take away this fund's spectacular November. The iShares China ETF started the month at $33.33 per unit. But today, it is asking $40.12 at the time of writing, a gain of 20.4%.

The post Want to know what the 3 top performing ASX ETFs in November have been? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But even though ASX index funds are some of the most popular ETFs with Aussie investors, not all ETFs track indexes like the ASX 200. And as such, not all ASX ETFs had such a lucrative 2021.

So here is a list of the worst-performing ASX ETFs from last year:

2021's worst ASX ETF performers revealed

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

This ETF from provider BetaShares is first up. ASIA is a fund that tracks a basket of tech-focused shares from the Asia Pacific region. Many of its holdings hail from the People's Republic of China (43.9%), but it also has significant exposure to other countries like Taiwan, South Korea and India. You might recognise some of its top holdings like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Samsung, Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.

This ETF has clearly felt the repercussions of the slump in many Asian markets over the past year, particularly China's. It returned -14.94% last year.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF AUD (ASX: IZZ)

Another Asia-focused fund, this ETF from iShares was another poor performer last year. As you can probably gather from the name, IZZ invests in the largest companies in China. It holds many of the same companies as ASIA, including Alibaba and Tencent. But other names include Meituan, China Construction Bank Corp and Ping An Insurance. As we've just discussed, China hasn't had the best 12 months, and we can see this reflected in IZZ's performance. This ETF went backwards by 15.3% last year.

ETFS S&P Biotech ETF (ASX: CURE)

Despite its humorous ticker code, investors were probably not too amused by this fund's 2021 performance. CURE is a thematic ETF that focuses on US companies in the biotechnology space in fields such as genetic analysis and engineering. Some of its top holdings include Arena Pharmaceuticals, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals and Incyte Corp. Unfortunately for investors, this fund failed to engineer any growth last year, falling by 15.8% over 2021. Hopefully 2022 will CURE investors' woes.

BetaShares Strong Australian Dollar Fund (ASX: AUDS)

Here we have a different beast. This fund is a simple one and doesn't invest in shares at all. Instead, this ETF from BetaShares gives "geared exposure to changes in the value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar".

According to the provider, "AUDS generally expects to generate a positive return of between 2% and 2.75% for a 1% rise in the value of the Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar on a given day (and vice versa)". Unfortunately, the 'vice versa' is what occurred over 2021. This ETF fell a nasty 16.54% last year as the Aussie declined in value against the greenback for most of 2021.

Short ETFs top worst performing funds of 2021

Our final spot is shared jointly by three ETFs that proved very disappointing indeed for investors. This writer has grouped them together because they all operate in similar ways and their dismal performance can also be blamed on this. The BetaShares Australian Equities Strong Bear Hedge Fund (ASX: BBOZ), the BetaShares U.S. Equities Strong Bear Hedge Fund (ASX: BBUS) and the ETFS Ultra Short Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (ASX: SNAS) topped the ASX's worst ETF performers in 2021 with steep losses of 32.8%, 46.9% and 48.7% respectively.

These ETFs are 'short' funds that use leverage and other financial engineering to rise in value when the indexes they track fall. BBOZ inversely tracks the ASX 200, while both the BBUS and SNAS ETFs do the same for the US markets. Unfortunately for investors in these funds, both countries' markets rose strongly over 2021, resulting in these heavy losses.

The post Here are the worst performing ASX ETFs of 2021 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Local ETFs were on fire last month, breaking the industry's all-time record for incoming money and reaching a historic-high for total funds held.

But popularity doesn't equate to performance, so it's interesting to see which products fared the best for its investors.

The latest Betashares report showed 3 of the top 5 performing funds in October were Asia-themed.

5 best-performing Australian ETF in October 2020 

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA) rose 8.3% for the month, on the back of a calmer COVID-19 environment compared to the western world.

The fund has gained 67% for the 12 months ending 31 October, according to Betashares head of strategy Ilan Israelstam.

"During the pandemic, Asian technology stocks have benefited both from the strong showing of Asian stocks in general, and from the outperformance of the technology sector," he said.

"Asian economies have demonstrated a greater ability to gain control of COVID-19 outbreaks than their American and European counterparts, while technology stocks have been the leading performers around the world as the world increasingly went online as the virus took hold."

Australian investors are buying even more Chinese stocks this month as a new US president is poised to reset a now-toxic trade relationship.

The Australian ETF industry generally had an excellent October, adding $2.3 billion of funds. This is the highest-ever monthly inflow.

Vanguard and Betashares are dominant among the suppliers, each racking up more than $4 billion of investor money this year.

The post Best performing Aussie ETFs right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Well, I think the best way to do so is through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Here are 2 ASX China EFTS that investors can choose from today for exposure to the Chinese market.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ)

This ETF from iShares is our first ASX option. It holds 50 of the largest companies listed in mainland China with a simple weighting method based on pure market capitalisation. IZZ's 5 largest holdings include Meituan Dianping, Tencent Holdings, China Construction Bank, Xiaomi Corp and Ping An Insurance Group.

IZZ charges a management fee of 0.74% per annum, offers a trailing dividend distribution yield of 2.44% and has returned an average of 5.68% over the past 5 years.

The post Want to invest in China? Here are 2 ASX China ETFs to choose from appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Given the underlying weakness in the Chinese economy – including a soft export market, low domestic demand and lingering trade wars – it's easy to see why investors would be wary of this market. However, when compared with the bleak economic outlook globally – which will hamper recovery in corporate earnings – some exposure to China looks justified, in my opinion.

It is the only global economy that's expected to be in positive territory this year.

With full year growth expected to come in at 1.8%, the country appears to have has miraculously dodged a technical recession, and some economists, like BlackRock, expect the world's second largest economy to experience "near-trend growth" as soon as late 2020.

In addition to the return of strong export markets, what China's economic stimulus is now focused on is middle-class shoppers spending more as job stability returns to post-COVID-19 levels. China's reliance on consumer spending cannot be understated, with consumption contributing to two-thirds of the country's economic growth, according to recent figures.

Greater risk in not investing in China

Despite trade wars, geopolitical tensions and post-COVID-19 economic uncertainty, there are still ways to take measured bets on China. If you're prepared to do your homework, it's possible to get good exposure to China's recovery story. Despite the pandemic, some fund managers have already done this.

For example, back in March at the height of the pandemic, Magellan fund manager, Hamish Douglass increased his allocation to China from 14% a year ago to 25%, via exposure to just a handful stocks. While the fund manager used to be invested only in Apple, Starbucks and Yum Brands, it has now added LVMH, Estee Lauder, Alibaba and Tencent to its holdings in China.

Assuming the focus remains on quality companies, Douglass believes it's more risky not to invest in China over the next 20 years. He cited Starbucks as a great way to access the Chinese middle-class, where a new store was opening in China on average every 15 hours.

Then there's Zenith Investment Partners, which pre-COVID had already increased its average exposure to China from 18% to 22%. Zenith's exposure to what are referred to as A-shares – those listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges – also doubled from 2% to 4%.

Despite being relatively out of favour, and underweight within (most) global portfolios, in my view Chinese equities look to have been oversold. This creates opportunities for those willing to take a long-term view.

Signs of a rebound are already evident, with recovery picking up steam in June on the back of the Chinese government's 'new style' infrastructure spending (like 5G) – plus other fiscal stimulus measures – designed to drive both domestic consumption and help reopen overseas markets.

Exposure to China through ASX ETFs

If you like the idea of having exposure to China, but don't have the stomach to be a stock-picker within this market, another way to play China's recovery story is through ASX-listed China exchange traded funds (ETFs).

Despite rallying 34% in the last year, my favoured ASX-listed China ETF is VanEck Vectors China New Economy (ASX: CNEW). The shares on this index seem to be in the sweet-spot of China's economic stimulus measures.

In an effort to help stabilise its domestic market, the People's Bank of China is committed to extending more credit to small businesses that had their liquidity stretched during the lockdown. Unlike the global financial crisis (GFC), this time around economic stimulus measures are primarily focused on technologies of the future, including everything from electric cars, industrial robotics, through to artificial intelligence (AI). As investor with exposure to China, this is something to be aware of.

CNEW seeks to provide investors with access to a portfolio of the most fundamentally sound companies, with the best growth prospects – in consumer discretionary, consumer staples, healthcare, and technology sectors – that are domiciled and listed in mainland China. The three biggest holdings within CNEW (which holds 120 shares) include Guangdong Biolight Meditech Co Ltd, Jiangsu Zitian Media Technology Co Ltd and G-bits Network Technology (Xiamen) Co Ltd A.

Other China-based ETFs listed on the ASX include VanEck Vectors China A-Share (ASX: CETF), which is up by 2.81% over the last 12 months, and Ishares China Large-Cap (ASX: IZZ), which is down 1.28% over the last 12 months.

ETFs aside, it's also important to note that any ongoing fiscal stimulus-driven upswing for China stocks also bodes well for fund managers whose exposure to China may have fallen along with the market last year. For example, ASX-listed Platinum Asset Management Ltd (ASX: PTM), which has around a 5th of its holdings in China, looks well positioned to benefit from China's new infrastructure stimulus measures. Since peaking at around $8.50 early February 2018, the Platinum share price is now trading at below half of that high, at $3.76 per share.

Then there are another 30 to 40 funds that could also benefit from their exposure to a Chinese recovery, including the Magellan Global Trust (ASX: MGG) and the Fidelity Asia Fund.

Exposure to China through ASX shares

While resource stocks aren't in the direct eye of China's current stimulus measures, some sub-sectors, like base metals (notably iron ore, which is currently selling for around US$100/tonne) are still a net beneficiary of the strong demand for steel. Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) is the most dominant playmaker in this space in my opinion. Also adding to Fortescue's fortunes are the export downgrades by its biggest competitors Vale and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO).

China's plans to move from coal to gas-fired power, also presents enormous long-term opportunities for Australian providers. Despite a notable deterioration in trade relations, China became Australia's biggest market for LNG in April, accounting for 40% of total exports. Key beneficiaries include the Queensland-based Origin Energy Limited (ASX: ORG)'s Australia Pacific LNG Venture and the Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL)-run North-West Shelf venture in WA.

Resource shares aside, with China's stimulus measures focused squarely on consumers, any improvement in confidence could also provide a kicker to ASX shares that export high-end consumer discretionary products such as meat, seafood, dairy, fruit, alcoholic beverages and pharmaceuticals. While a growing number of ASX shares export to China, those with the greatest China exposure include winemaker Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE), milk and infant formula companies A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M), and Synlait Milk Ltd (ASX: SM1) plus vitamins company Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL).

Foolish takeaway

Given the tensions with China on myriad levels right now, it's important to pick shares with strong exposure to this market carefully. So do your homework – look for shares with 30% or more exposure to China, within markets that appear to be outside the turmoil of any ongoing trade tariff tension, and that will benefit from the 'translation effect' when foreign earnings are domiciled back into Australian dollars.

The post Here's how to play China's V-shaped growth story appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Acronyms have been invented to group together emerging nations, the BRICs, Brazil, Russia, India and China and now the MINTs, Mexico, India, Nigeria and Turkey. These acronyms are not much more than marketing gimmicks to attract investors' attention, but that's not to say emerging-market investments cannot pay off.

For interested Australian investors it's almost impossible to invest relatively small amounts directly into equities listed on these countries stock exchanges. There are often regulatory and administrative hurdles too high for small investors to negotiate.

One easy way to gain exposure is through buying exchange traded funds (ETFs) that are listed on the ASX and possible to buy just like an ordinary equity. One of the biggest emerging-market ETFs is the iShares Emerging Markets ETF (ASX: IEM). Other iShares funds available on the ASX include the iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (ASX: IBK) and iShares China Large-Cap ETF (ASX: IZZ).

The iShares Emerging Markets ETF aims to track the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which is designed to measure emerging-market equity performance on a very broad basis. The ETF's underlying holdings consist of investments in leading Chinese, South Korean, Taiwanese, Brazilian, South African, Indian, Russian and Mexican companies, among others, totalling investments in 21 emerging nations.

Some of the more well-known companies include Korea's finest, Samsung Electronics Co and Hyundai Motor Company.  There's also Russian energy-giant Gazprom OAO and Chinese technology-titan China Mobile Ltd. You don't need to be an investment genius to see that companies held are primarily operating in mega-markets with large and young populations enjoying rising disposable incomes. In total, the ETF has an interest in more than 800 different companies across the emerging-market universe.

Under the ETF's prospectus distributions are not guaranteed, but it does have a consistent track record of paying out income earned two or three times a year. The estimated trailing yield over the last 12-month period is 2.15%.

The ETF is priced and distributions made in U.S dollars. Therefore investors who think the tapering of the U.S Federal Reserve's bond-buying program will support the greenback's appreciation over the Australian dollar would do well to invest now, to take advantage of a lower Aussie dollar when exchanging back in the future.

Indeed, commentators have opined that the Fed's tapering has encouraged investors to bring money back from emerging markets to its U.S source; in order to avoid the downstream risks of increased emerging-market volatility, particularly around currency devaluations. This is what contributed to the recent heavy falls across emerging markets, with the ETF's price falling about 10% from its November pre-taper high of $46.42.

Given the potential for capital gains alongside income and a significant exchange rate profit the investment case may seem seductive.

Risks and costs are significant though, both tangible and intangible. Tangible costs include management fees and expenses of 0.67% per year as a direct overhead, in addition to any effective spread applied every time you sell or buy into the fund. A typical buy-sell spread for an investment fund may add 0.30% to your purchase price and deduct 0.30% from your redeemed proceeds.

The management fee of 0.67% is relatively low when compared to investing in an actively managed emerging-market fund offered by a typical fund manager, where costs can easily be triple that. You'll also have to pay your standard one-off brokerage fee, just like buying an equity.

Other risks of emerging-market investing are many and plain for all to see, they include political and economic volatility, dubious corporate governance practices, runaway inflation and crashing currencies wreaking economic Armageddon. Nations currently exhibiting symptoms of these risks include Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Argentina, among others.

Foolish takeaway

Every investor must decide whether they are prepared to take on these risks, and no serious (or sane) investor would allocate more than a very small proportion of their available capital to emerging markets, even with the diversified benefits of an index-tracking ETF such as those offered by iShares.

The post Is now the time to profit from emerging-market falls? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.