What are the best-performing ETFs over the last 10 years?

As of April 30, 2025, the top-performing ETF over the last 10 years was the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), followed by the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX). These ETFs have significantly outpaced the broader market due to strong sector performance in semiconductors and technology.

How were the top-performing ETFs selected in this analysis?

The ETFs were selected using YCharts' Fund Screener, analyzing the entire ETF universe based on total return across 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. Leveraged and inverse ETFs were excluded, and funds with low maximum drawdowns were also highlighted.

How much would $10,000 invested in the best-performing ETF 10 years ago be worth today?

A $10,000 investment in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) 10 years ago would be worth over $85,000 today. Similarly, a $10,000 investment in the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) would have grown to more than $65,000.

Which ETFs had the lowest drawdowns over the last decade?

In addition to return-based rankings, the blog highlights ETFs with the lowest drawdowns over 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. These funds demonstrated strong downside protection, appealing to investors with a conservative risk profile.

How can advisors use YCharts to evaluate and present ETF performance?

Advisors can use YCharts' Quick Extract to analyze current holdings, Transition Analysis to understand tax implications, and Risk Profiles with Talking Points to create personalized, compliance-ready proposals that explain ETF selections to clients.

Resources > Blog > Asset Managers > The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years

The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years

May 22, 2025

Updated as of May 22, 2025

In 2024, the ETF industry reached a new high with $1.1 trillion in net inflows, reshuffling market share leaders across various asset classes and peer groups, as detailed in our 2024 ETF market share recap.

Notably, several strategies that captured increased market share benefited significantly from robust long-term performance. Below, we explore some of the top-performing ETFs across different timeframes.

Sign up for our free monthly Fund Flow Report to stay updated on how assets are moving in and out of these strategies:

For advisors incorporating these strategies into their portfolios, YCharts offers multiple tools to enhance client communication around your decision-making process.

Start with Quick Extract to import screenshots or Excel files for a clear view of what a prospect currently holds. Use Transition Analysis to evaluate the tax impact of proposed changes. Then, with Risk Profiles and Talking Points, you can create personalized, compliance-ready proposals that help clients visualize the why, empowering you to win new business with confidence. Start a Free Trial to incorporate these tools into your workflow.

Now, let’s dive into the best-performing ETFs of the past decade. To create this list, we analyzed the entire ETF universe using the YCharts Fund Screener to find the best-performing ETFs on a 1-, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year (excluding leveraged and inverse ETFs). We also observed funds with the lowest max drawdowns during this period, as well.

Click to jump to a section:

Best-Performing ETFs (1Y)
Best-Performing ETFs in the Last 3 Years
Best-Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years
Best-Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years
What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 10 Years?

Best Performing ETFs (1Y)

These are the top-performing ETFs over the past year as of April 30, 2025.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart showing the top-performing ETFs over the past year. The Simplify Volt TSLA Revolution ETF (TESL) leads with a 105.0% total return, followed by Themes Gold Miners ETF (AUMI) at 73.96%, and Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) at 59.48%. The S&P 500 trails at 12.10%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last Year

As of April 30, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last year. The chart below has an expanded timeframe to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart showing 1-year maximum drawdowns for top ETFs.

Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) had the smallest max drawdown at -4.26%,

followed by Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF (PFFV) at -6.07%,

and Keating Active ETF (KEAT) at -7.45%.
Also included were iShares MSCI Global Min Vol Factor ETF (ACWV) at -7.56% and WisdomTree International Multifactor Fund (DWMF) at -7.74%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Best Performing ETFs in the Last 3 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2025.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart tracking 3-year total return performance of top ETFs. Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARGT) is the top performer with a 186.9% return, followed by Global X MSCI Greece ETF (GREK) at 109.3%, and iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL) at 109.0%. The S&P 500 posted a return of 41.16%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 3 Years

As of April 30, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last three years. The chart below has an expanded timeframe to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart showing 3-year max drawdowns for a group of ETFs. Franklin Intl Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) had the lowest drawdown at -11.99%, followed by Pacer Trendpilot US Large Cap ETF (PTLC) at -13.47%, and Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) at -13.73%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Best Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2025.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart showing 5-year total return performance. Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARGT) leads with 410.6%, followed by InfraCap MLP ETF (AMZA) at 274.1%, and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI) at 233.3%. The S&P 500 returned 106.5% over the same period.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 5 Years

As of April 30, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last five years. The chart below has an expanded timeframe to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Chart tracking 5-year drawdowns for equity income and value ETFs. Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (DIVO) experienced the smallest drawdown at -13.73%, just ahead of Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) at -13.76%, and American Century Focused Large Cap Value ETF (FLV) at -15.07%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Best Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years

These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between April 30, 2015 and April 30, 2025.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Line chart tracking top-performing ETFs over 10 years. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is the highest with 763.9% total return, followed by iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) at 561.8%, and iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) at 471.1%. The S&P 500 returned 219.5%

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 10 Years

As of April 30, 2025, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last ten years. The chart below has an expanded timeframe to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.

View & Modify in Fund Screener

Ten-year max drawdown chart comparing ETF downside risk. WBI BullBear Value 3000 ETF (WBIF) had the smallest drawdown at -20.28%, followed by VictoryShares US EQ Income Enhanced Volatility Weighted ETF (CDC) at -21.36%, and VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Weighted ETF (CFO) at -24.33%.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

What Was the Growth of $10,000 Over the Last 10 Years?

If you invested $10,000 10 years ago into any of the ten best-performing ETFs over the last 10 years, your balance today would be no less than $50K.

The best-performing ETF in the last 10 years was VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH). A $10,000 investment into SMH 10 years ago would be worth over $85K today. Right behind it was the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX); investing $10,000 into SOXX back in 2014 would’ve turned into over $65K.

Line chart depicting 10-year total return growth in dollar terms. VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tops with $86.39K, followed by iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) at $66.18K, and iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) at $57.11K. The S&P 500's value reached $31.95K over the same period.

Download Visual | Modify in YCharts

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how YCharts can help you:

1. Looking to Move On From Your Investment Research and Analytics Platform?

Learn More About the Exclusive Offer

2. Want to test out YCharts for free?

Start a no-risk 7-Day Free Trial.

3. Sign up for a copy of our Fund Flows Report and Visual Deck to stay on top of ETF trends:

Sign up to recieve a copy of our monthly Fund Flows Report:

Disclaimer

©2025 YCharts, Inc. All Rights Reserved. YCharts, Inc. (“YCharts”) is not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or with the securities regulatory authority or body of any state or any other jurisdiction) as an investment adviser, broker-dealer or in any other capacity, and does not purport to provide investment advice or make investment recommendations. This report has been generated through application of the analytical tools and data provided through ycharts.com and is intended solely to assist you or your investment or other adviser(s) in conducting investment research. You should not construe this report as an offer to buy or sell, as a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or as a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or trade, any security or other financial instrument. For further information regarding your use of this report, please go to: ycharts.com/about/disclosure.

Best Performing Mutual Funds of the Last 10 Years: A Financial Advisor’s Perspective