The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years
Published: September 9, 2025 / Updated as of: November 3, 2026
Analysis by YCharts Research Team
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.
Across shorter-term periods, energy and natural resources ETFs have emerged as dominant performers, with oil and gas funds particularly benefiting from constrained global supply and higher oil prices. Biotechnology and genomics ETFs have also gained momentum, reflecting growing enthusiasm around the intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare, increased M&A activity, and a more favorable regulatory environment. Meanwhile, the top-performing ETFs over the past year have shifted away from the semiconductor and South Korea-focused funds that dominated the previous month’s rankings, making room for energy, shipping, and genomics strategies.
Over longer time horizons, semiconductor and technology-focused ETFs have demonstrated more sustained outperformance. Semiconductor funds account for four of the top five performers over the past three years and all five of the top performers over the past decade, underscoring the powerful growth of the information technology sector. Precious metals miners have also delivered strong three-year returns, while country-specific ETFs focused on Greece, Peru, and Japan have distinguished themselves over the past five years. Taken together, the rankings highlight how short-term leadership can rotate across industries and regions, while the long-term winners have been concentrated in technology, particularly semiconductors.
Now, let’s dive into the best-performing ETFs of the past decade.
To create these lists, we analyzed the entire ETF universe using the YCharts Fund Screener to find the best-performing ETFs YTD and on a 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, as well as 10-year basis.
Click to jump to a section:
- Best-Performing ETFs YTD
- 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 YTD
These are the top-performing ETFs year-to-date, as of October 31, 2026. The best performing ETFs YTD through October come from the biotechnology and natural resources peer groups, covering strategies of electronics, energy, and genomics. Four of the top ten ETFs YTD focus on oil and gas, while genomics ETFs ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) and iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF (IDNA) made the list thanks to the convergence of AI and genomics, strong M&A activity, and a friendlier FDA approval environment.
| Symbol | Name | 1 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Total Returns Since Inception (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STHH | STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 93.64% | 93.91% | 0.19% | $2,160,398 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| ARMH | Arm Holdings PLC ADRhedged | 91.72% | 73.59% | 0.19% | $3,863,360 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| ARKG | ARK Genomic Revolution ETF | 77.42% | 176.47% | 0.75% | $2,092,547,733 | Health/Biotechnology Funds |
| BOAT | SonicShares Global Shipping ETF | 77.24% | 275.92% | 0.69% | $156,615,101 | Industrials Funds |
| WCBR | WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund | 72.94% | 96.50% | 0.45% | $211,923,052 | Science & Technology Funds |
| IEO | iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF | 71.46% | 309.25% | 0.37% | $895,657,853 | Natural Resources Funds |
| CRAK | VanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 65.73% | 319.28% | 0.61% | $703,942,332 | Global Natural Resources Funds |
| IDNA | iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF | 63.95% | 82.22% | 0.47% | $326,819,332 | Global Health/Biotechnology Funds |
| PXJ | Invesco Oil & Gas Services ETF | 63.84% | -22.72% | 0.63% | $131,814,413 | Natural Resources Funds |
| DRLL | Strive US Energy ETF | 63.69% | 101.76% | 0.41% | $333,146,006 | Natural Resources Funds |
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The following chart shows the total return of the 10 best-performing ETFs in 2026, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last Year
These are the top-performing ETFs over the past year, as of October 31, 2026. Last month, semiconductor and South Korea-focused ETFs formed the majority of the best performers list over the last year, but these have largely been replaced by shipping, genomics, and energy ETFs. Five of the top ten best-performing ETFs in the last twelve months are energy ETFs, namely with focus on oil & gas as a result of higher oil prices stemming from continued reduced global supply.
| Symbol | Name | 1 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Total Returns Since Inception (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STHH | STMicroelectronics NV ADRhedged | 102.36% | 93.91% | 0.19% | $2,160,398 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| BOAT | SonicShares Global Shipping ETF | 79.00% | 275.92% | 0.69% | $156,615,101 | Industrials Funds |
| IEO | iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF | 72.54% | 309.25% | 0.37% | $895,657,853 | Natural Resources Funds |
| IDNA | iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF | 70.36% | 82.22% | 0.47% | $326,819,332 | Global Health/Biotechnology Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 67.76% | 1010.59% | 0.60% | $1,029,432,601 | Science & Technology Funds |
| DRLL | Strive US Energy ETF | 65.45% | 101.76% | 0.41% | $333,146,006 | Natural Resources Funds |
| ARKG | ARK Genomic Revolution ETF | 65.11% | 176.47% | 0.75% | $2,092,547,733 | Health/Biotechnology Funds |
| XOP | State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Expl & Prod ETF | 63.95% | 95.51% | 0.35% | $4,558,831,700 | Natural Resources Funds |
| OILT | Texas Capital Texas Oil Index ETF | 63.79% | 52.04% | 0.35% | $11,458,298 | Natural Resources Funds |
| XLE | State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 63.41% | 1137.50% | 0.08% | $45,274,504,662 | Natural Resources Funds |
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The following chart shows the total return of the 10 best-performing ETFs in the last 12 months, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 3 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between November 1st, 2023 and October 31, 2026. The best-performing ETFs over the last three years are dominated by semiconductor and precious metals funds. Four of the top five best-performing ETFs in the last three years are semiconductor funds, and the iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP) rounds out the top five with a 245.8% 3Y total return.
| Symbol | Name | 3 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Annualized 3 Year Total Returns (Monthly) | Net Expense Ratio | Share Class Assets Under Management | Peer Group Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 281.08% | 56.20% | 0.35% | $64,519,093,890 | Science & Technology Funds |
| CHPS | Xtrackers Semiconductor Select Equity ETF | 253.01% | 52.26% | 0.15% | $126,518,892 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| SLVP | iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF | 245.81% | 51.22% | 0.39% | $742,997,663 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 240.75% | 50.48% | 0.60% | $1,029,432,601 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 237.73% | 50.03% | 0.19% | $2,676,166,813 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SGDJ | Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 228.68% | 48.68% | 0.50% | $303,290,546 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| GOEX | Global X Gold Explorers ETF | 227.01% | 48.43% | 0.65% | $103,995,028 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 225.23% | 48.16% | 0.33% | $42,973,254,884 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SHOC | Strive US Semiconductor ETF | 218.99% | 47.21% | 0.40% | $205,302,693 | Science & Technology Funds |
| RING | iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 217.18% | 46.93% | 0.39% | $2,111,982,263 | Precious Metals Equity Funds |
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The following chart shows the total return of the 10 best-performing ETFs in the last three years, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2026. Four of the top ten best-performing ETFs in the last five years have a country-specific focus. Those countries are Greece (Global X MSCI Greece ETF (GREK)), Peru (iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF (EPU)), and Japan (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) and WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund (OPPJ)). Semiconductor, energy, and shipping ETFs round out the top ten best-performing ETFs in the last five years.
| 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 | 293.58% | 31.52% | 0.35% | $64,519,093,890 | Science & Technology Funds |
| BOAT | SonicShares Global Shipping ETF | 233.81% | 27.26% | 0.69% | $156,615,101 | Industrials Funds |
| GREK | Global X MSCI Greece ETF | 233.23% | 27.22% | 0.56% | $329,047,323 | Emerging Markets Funds |
| EPU | iShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF | 231.37% | 27.08% | 0.59% | $500,607,075 | Latin American Funds |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 222.72% | 26.40% | 0.19% | $2,676,166,813 | Science & Technology Funds |
| DXJ | WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 221.55% | 26.31% | 0.48% | $7,017,485,197 | Japanese Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 210.27% | 25.41% | 0.60% | $1,029,432,601 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 209.56% | 25.36% | 0.33% | $42,973,254,884 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XLE | State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF | 190.15% | 23.74% | 0.08% | $45,274,504,662 | Natural Resources Funds |
| OPPJ | WisdomTree Japan Opportunities Fund | 189.62% | 23.70% | 0.58% | $320,616,721 | Japanese Funds |
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The following chart shows the total return of the 10 best-performing ETFs in the last five years, through October 31, 2026:
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between November 1, 2016 and October 31, 2026. All of the top ten best-performing ETFs in the last ten years are Science & Technology peer group funds, demonstrating the results of sustained fundamental success and parabolic growth in the information technology space. The best-performing ETF over the last ten years is the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), and the top five performers since November 1, 2016 are all semiconductor ETFs.
| 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 | 1604.56% | 32.79% | 0.35% | $64,519,093,890 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 1295.87% | 30.16% | 0.33% | $42,973,254,884 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 1050.12% | 27.67% | 0.55% | $2,169,699,843 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 1017.25% | 27.30% | 0.60% | $1,029,432,601 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XSD | State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 827.58% | 24.95% | 0.35% | $2,592,455,726 | Science & Technology Funds |
| IYW | iShares US Technology ETF | 763.67% | 24.06% | 0.37% | $23,197,103,555 | Science & Technology Funds |
| VGT | Vanguard Information Technology ETF | 752.18% | 23.89% | 0.09% | $145,006,415,963 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XLK | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 738.53% | 23.69% | 0.08% | $124,714,970,948 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTEC | Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 737.79% | 23.68% | 0.08% | $20,241,898,698 | Science & Technology Funds |
| IXN | iShares Global Tech ETF | 695.60% | 23.05% | 0.37% | $8,690,909,854 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
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The following chart shows the total return of the 10 best-performing ETFs in the last ten years, through October 31, 2026:
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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 $79K.
A hypothetical $10,000 investment into the best-performing ETF in the last 10 years – the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) – on November 1, 2016 would be worth over $170,000 today. Right behind it was the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX); investing $10,000 into SOXX ten years ago would’ve turned into $139,590, assuming dividend reinvestment.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What was the methodology behind finding the best-performing ETFs over these time periods?
The YCharts Fund Screener was used to find the best performing ETFs over the last year, three years, five years, and ten years, as well as YTD. The Fund Screener narrowed the entire universe of over 13,000 ETFs to equity ETFs domiciled in the United States, showing funds whose inception dates go back to at least the start of the time period. Inverse funds, leveraged funds, and the digital asset fund category were excluded from the results. Then, the remaining ETFs were sorted by total returns in descending order for each time period. The 10 ETFs with the highest Total Return over each time period are featured in this analysis.
What is the difference between Total Return, Total Return since Inception, and Annualized Total Return?
Total Return is the change in price over a specific period of time, reflecting dividends and distributions that are assumed to be reinvested on their payment dates, net of the expense ratio. Total Return since Inception shows the return for the entire period since the ETF was launched. Annualized Total Return represents the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of an investment over a specified period, assuming all income—such as dividends, interest, and capital gains distributions—is reinvested.
Do these returns include reinvested dividends?
Each performance chart shows Total Return, which includes the impact of reinvested dividends. Data tables show Total Return figures for each ETF over the respective time period. Additionally, Total Return since Inception is shown for the best-performing ETFs YTD and over the last year, while Annualized Total Return is featured for ETFs across all other time periods.
What is Net Expense Ratio?
The Net Expense Ratio represents the cost of owning a fund. It expresses the percent of assets deducted each fiscal year to cover various fund expenses, including 12b-1 fees, management and administrative charges, operational expenditures, and all other costs tied to managing and operating a fund, less any fee waivers or other rebates. Transaction fees, brokerage costs and sales charges are not reflected in the expense ratio. In contrast, the gross expense ratio does not incorporate any fee waivers or other adjustments that were in effect during the time period.
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