The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years
Updated as of: October 2, 2026
In 2025, the ETF industry reached a new high with $1.5 trillion in net inflows, reshuffling market share leaders across various asset classes and peer groups.
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.
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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-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year basis (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 in the Last Year
- 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?
Looking for lists of the best performing mutual funds? Check out our analysis on the Best Performing Mutual Funds here.
Best Performing ETFs in the Last Year
These are the top-performing ETFs over the past year, as of September 30, 2026.
| Symbol | Name | 1 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Total Returns Since Inception (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EWY | iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | 133.38% | 1186.22% | 0.59% | $26,213,309,593 | Pacific Ex Japan Funds |
| FLKR | Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF | 132.55% | 194.52% | 0.09% | $1,788,162,442 | Pacific Ex Japan Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 126.62% | 1230.37% | 0.60% | $1,367,217,107 | Science & Technology Funds |
| CHPS | Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 126.58% | 261.54% | 0.15% | $130,578,770 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 116.85% | 3245.43% | 0.55% | $2,887,980,991 | Science & Technology Funds |
| MKOR | Matthews Korea Active ETF | 113.60% | 156.22% | 0.79% | $142,333,813 | Pacific Ex Japan Funds |
| AIS | VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | 112.71% | 197.85% | 0.75% | $1,073,021,643 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 110.41% | 2780.34% | 0.33% | $48,434,554,020 | Science & Technology Funds |
| ARMH | Arm Holdings PLC ADRhedged | 108.64% | 142.23% | 0.19% | $5,679,512 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| STHH | STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 100.20% | 116.41% | 0.19% | $1,957,265 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last Year
As of September 30, 2026, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last year. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown (1Y) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VRP | Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 2.89% | 0.50% | $2,997,904,718 | Equity Income Funds |
| PFFV | Global X Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 3.23% | 0.25% | $345,971,002 | Equity Income Funds |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 3.84% | 0.96% | $457,367,188 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| VMAX | Hartford US Value ETF | 4.93% | 0.29% | $50,012,523 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| EQRR | ProShares Equities for Rising Rates ETF | 4.95% | 0.35% | $39,434,970 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| INCE | Franklin Income Equity Focus ETF | 5.00% | 0.29% | $317,986,369 | Large-Cap Value Funds |
| VSMV | VictoryShares US Multi-Factor Minimum Vol ETF | 5.18% | 0.35% | $154,762,804 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| AVIE | Avantis Inflation Focused Equity ETF | 5.39% | 0.25% | $12,340,768 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| RFDA | ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF | 5.45% | 0.52% | $77,729,292 | Equity Income Funds |
| DFLV | DFA Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | 5.48% | 0.21% | $6,930,782,020 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 3 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2026.
| Symbol | Name | 3 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Annualized 3 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGMI | CoinShares Bitcoin Mining and Digital Power ETF | 385.20% | 69.30% | 0.80% | $274,185,656 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 325.70% | 62.10% | 0.40% | $74,879,841,691 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SLVP | iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF | 323.90% | 61.80% | 0.40% | $892,937,019 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| SGDJ | Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 314.80% | 60.70% | 0.50% | $336,525,173 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| CHPS | Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 302.20% | 59.00% | 0.20% | $130,578,770 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| GOEX | Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 297.30% | 58.40% | 0.70% | $122,046,192 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| BITQ | Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF | 287.50% | 57.10% | 0.90% | $440,956,212 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| RING | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 286.50% | 56.90% | 0.40% | $2,312,518,535 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 278.40% | 55.80% | 0.60% | $1,367,217,107 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SIL | Global X Silver Miners ETF | 275.40% | 55.40% | 0.70% | $4,423,848,633 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 3 Years
As of September 30, 2026, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last three years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown (3Y) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VRP | Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 8.05% | 0.50% | $2,997,904,718 | Equity Income Funds |
| DWMF | WisdomTree International Multifactor Fund | 8.74% | 0.38% | $33,633,870 | International Multi-Cap Value |
| SELV | SEI QiM U.S. Large Cap Low Volatility Active ETF | 8.93% | 0.15% | $250,912,090 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| MSMR | McElhenny Sheffield Managed Risk ETF | 9.36% | 1.06% | $180,001,561 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| BDVL | iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF | 9.40% | 0.39% | $1,734,337,849 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 9.92% | 0.96% | $457,367,188 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| GSWO | Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF | 9.97% | 0.25% | $1,782,833,424 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| USMV | iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.28% | 0.15% | $23,164,264,248 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| VFMV | Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF | 10.35% | 0.13% | $456,405,743 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| HDV | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | 10.49% | 0.08% | $14,546,607,560 | Equity Income Funds |
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2026.
| Symbol | Name | 5 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Annualized 5 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 389.84% | 37.41% | 0.35% | $74,879,841,691 | Science & Technology Funds |
| EPU | iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF | 317.55% | 33.09% | 0.59% | $547,687,802 | Latin American Funds |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 303.73% | 32.20% | 0.19% | $3,180,191,908 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 297.41% | 31.78% | 0.33% | $48,434,554,020 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 282.76% | 30.79% | 0.60% | $1,367,217,107 | Science & Technology Funds |
| GREK | Global X MSCI Greece ETF | 273.72% | 30.17% | 0.56% | $348,317,751 | Emerging Markets Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 263.44% | 29.45% | 0.55% | $2,887,980,991 | Science & Technology Funds |
| RING | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 239.77% | 27.71% | 0.39% | $2,312,518,535 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| GOEX | Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 236.66% | 27.48% | 0.65% | $122,046,192 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| DXJ | WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 229.38% | 26.92% | 0.48% | $7,093,119,085 | Japanese Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 5 Years
As of September 30, 2026, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last five years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown (5Y) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVHI | Franklin Intl Low Volatility High Dividend Index | 11.99% | 0.40% | $5,892,853,383 | International Large-Cap Value |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 12.20% | 0.96% | $457,367,188 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| DIVO | Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF | 13.73% | 0.56% | $7,730,767,408 | Equity Income Funds |
| VRP | Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 13.76% | 0.50% | $2,997,904,718 | Equity Income Funds |
| AUSF | Global X Adaptive US Factor ETF | 14.24% | 0.27% | $860,759,018 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| EMLP | First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure | 14.59% | 0.95% | $3,942,539,460 | Energy MLP Funds |
| IAK | iShares US Insurance ETF | 14.74% | 0.37% | $420,477,644 | Financial Services Funds |
| HEFA | iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF | 14.77% | 0.35% | $7,465,138,599 | International Large-Cap Core |
| DDWM | WisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund | 14.82% | 0.41% | $1,429,974,722 | International Multi-Cap Value |
| BEDY | BNY Mellon Enhanced Dividend and Income ETF | 14.83% | 0.50% | $257,540,288 | Equity Income Funds |
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between October 1, 2016 and September 30, 2026.
| Symbol | Name | 10 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Annualized 10 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 1852.46% | 34.60% | 0.35% | $74,879,841,691 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 1559.13% | 32.43% | 0.33% | $48,434,554,020 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 1349.35% | 30.65% | 0.55% | $2,887,980,991 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 1218.58% | 29.42% | 0.60% | $1,367,217,107 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XSD | State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 941.65% | 26.41% | 0.35% | $3,114,883,634 | Science & Technology Funds |
| IYW | iShares US Technology ETF | 839.54% | 25.11% | 0.37% | $26,532,593,525 | Science & Technology Funds |
| VGT | Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 810.70% | 24.72% | 0.09% | $147,596,806,604 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XLK | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 807.50% | 24.68% | 0.08% | $126,421,842,892 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTEC | Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 794.53% | 24.50% | 0.08% | $21,995,356,381 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XNTK | State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 786.38% | 24.38% | 0.35% | $2,076,346,274 | Science & Technology Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 10 Years
As of September 30, 2026, these equity ETFs had the lowest drawdown over the last ten years. The chart below can be expanded to comprehensively depict the peak-to-trough performance of the observed funds.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown (10Y) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBIF | WBI BullBear Value 3000 ETF | 20.28% | 1.70% | $22,098,937 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| PTMC | Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF | 20.53% | 0.60% | $367,344,470 | Small-Cap Core Funds |
| CDC | VictoryShares US EQ Income Enh Vol Wtd ETF | 21.36% | 0.35% | $689,629,767 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| TDI | Touchstone Dynamic International ETF | 23.91% | 0.65% | $505,865,356 | International Large-Cap Core |
| CFO | VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF | 24.33% | 0.35% | $395,173,165 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| XLP | State Street Consumer Staples Sel Sect SPDR ETF | 24.50% | 0.08% | $13,924,566,316 | Consumer Goods Funds |
| KXI | iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | 24.59% | 0.38% | $1,109,245,637 | Consumer Goods Funds |
| RTH | VanEck Retail ETF | 24.99% | 0.35% | $233,044,144 | Consumer Services Funds |
| GMOM | Cambria Global Momentum ETF | 25.02% | 0.95% | $79,436,106 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| FSTA | Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 25.09% | 0.08% | $1,383,587,409 | Consumer Goods Funds |
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What Was the Growth of $10,000 in the Top ETFs 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 $88K.
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 $195,000 today. Right behind it was the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX); investing $10,000 into SOXX back in 2016 would’ve turned into $165,910, assuming dividend reinvestment.
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