The 10 Best Performing ETFs Over the Last 10 Years
Updated as of: May 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 April 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYDR | Global X Hydrogen ETF | 260.38% | -48.96% | 0.50% | $112,953,882 | Alternative Energy Funds |
| WGMI | CoinShares Bitcoin Mining ETF | 252.12% | 79.04% | 0.75% | $293,738,383 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| LITP | Sprott Lithium Miners ETF | 239.42% | 0.25% | 0.65% | $64,862,707 | Basic Materials Funds |
| ILIT | iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF | 207.97% | 2.75% | 0.47% | $24,665,494 | Basic Materials Funds |
| EWY | iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | 192.61% | 1031.27% | 0.59% | $21,046,964,851 | Pacific Ex Japan Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 189.88% | 1021.96% | 0.60% | $2,218,654,037 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 189.38% | 2832.89% | 0.56% | $1,991,072,593 | Science & Technology Funds |
| REMX | VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | 183.72% | -29.34% | 0.53% | $3,016,671,465 | Basic Materials Funds |
| FLKR | Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF | 182.76% | 153.77% | 0.09% | $747,571,915 | Pacific Ex Japan Funds |
| LIMI | Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF | 180.26% | 147.16% | 0.35% | $3,631,950 | Basic Materials Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last Year
As of April 30th, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWMF | WisdomTree International Multifactor Fund | 8.74% | 0.38% | $37,188,811 | International Multi-Cap Value |
| SELV | SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | 8.93% | 0.15% | $233,171,725 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| BDVL | iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF | 9.40% | 0.40% | $1,673,870,036 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 9.92% | 0.96% | $398,744,266 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| GSWO | Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF | 9.97% | 0.25% | $1,636,925,460 | Global Multi-Cap Value |
| USMV | iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.28% | 0.15% | $22,863,181,279 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| VFMV | Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF | 10.35% | 0.13% | $421,086,190 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| HDV | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | 10.49% | 0.08% | $13,571,432,246 | Equity Income Funds |
| MDLV | Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF | 10.71% | 0.66% | $38,448,221 | Equity Income Funds |
| LGLV | State Street SPDR SSGA US Lg Cap Low Vol Index ETF | 10.72% | 0.12% | $1,148,441,994 | 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 May 1, 2023 and April 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 ETF | 361.23% | 66.46% | 0.75% | $293,738,383 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| SMH | VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 315.39% | 60.75% | 0.35% | $58,790,612,119 | Science & Technology Funds |
| BITQ | Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF | 276.09% | 55.51% | 0.85% | $435,631,810 | Specialty/Miscellaneous Funds |
| DAPP | VanEck Digital Transformation ETF | 264.11% | 53.84% | 0.52% | $460,299,699 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 262.58% | 53.63% | 0.56% | $1,991,072,593 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 260.55% | 53.34% | 0.60% | $2,218,654,037 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXQ | Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF | 258.32% | 53.02% | 0.19% | $1,648,347,898 | Science & Technology Funds |
| BKCH | Global X Blockchain ETF | 254.14% | 52.43% | 0.50% | $314,120,897 | Global Science/Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 242.97% | 50.81% | 0.34% | $29,566,458,902 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SHOC | Strive US Semiconductor ETF | 239.45% | 50.29% | 0.40% | $210,604,356 | Science & Technology Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 3 Years
As of April 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWMF | WisdomTree International Multifactor Fund | 8.74% | 0.38% | $37,188,811 | International Multi-Cap Value |
| SELV | SEI Enhanced Low Volatility US Large Cap ETF | 8.93% | 0.15% | $233,171,725 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| BDVL | iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF | 9.40% | 0.40% | $1,673,870,036 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 9.92% | 0.96% | $398,744,266 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| GSWO | Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta World Equity ETF | 9.97% | 0.25% | $1,636,925,460 | Global Multi-Cap Value |
| USMV | iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.28% | 0.15% | $22,863,181,279 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| VFMV | Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF | 10.35% | 0.13% | $421,086,190 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| HDV | iShares Core High Dividend ETF | 10.49% | 0.08% | $13,571,432,246 | Equity Income Funds |
| MDLV | Morgan Dempsey Large Cap Value ETF | 10.71% | 0.66% | $38,448,221 | Equity Income Funds |
| LGLV | State Street SPDR SSGA US Lg Cap Low Vol Index ETF | 10.72% | 0.12% | $1,148,441,994 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 5 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between May 1, 2021 and April 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 | 329.83% | 33.86% | 0.35% | $58,790,612,119 | Science & Technology Funds |
| URA | Global X Uranium ETF | 251.70% | 28.60% | 0.69% | $7,810,848,380 | Alternative Energy Funds |
| FTXL | First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 246.32% | 28.20% | 0.60% | $2,218,654,037 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 241.57% | 27.85% | 0.34% | $29,566,458,902 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 235.98% | 27.43% | 0.56% | $1,991,072,593 | Science & Technology Funds |
| ARGT | Global X MSCI Argentina ETF | 229.32% | 26.92% | 0.59% | $896,315,375 | Latin American Funds |
| DXJ | WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 214.35% | 25.74% | 0.48% | $6,179,447,421 | Japanese Funds |
| RSPG | Invesco S&P 500 Eql Wght Energy ETF | 209.70% | 25.37% | 0.40% | $628,520,338 | Natural Resources Funds |
| PXJ | Invesco Oil & Gas Services ETF | 208.77% | 25.29% | 0.63% | $137,120,644 | Natural Resources Funds |
| AIRR | First Trust RBA Amer Industrial Renaissance ETF | 208.32% | 25.26% | 0.69% | $10,137,936,315 | Industrials Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 5 Years
As of April 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% | $4,824,607,221 | International Large-Cap Value |
| HEDG | Equable Shares Hedged Equity ETF | 12.20% | 0.96% | $398,744,266 | Large-Cap Core Funds |
| DIVO | Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF | 13.73% | 0.56% | $6,968,359,536 | Equity Income Funds |
| VRP | Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF | 13.76% | 0.50% | $2,587,412,782 | Equity Income Funds |
| AUSF | Global X Adaptive US Factor ETF | 14.24% | 0.27% | $872,154,927 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| EMLP | First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure | 14.59% | 0.95% | $4,073,212,702 | Energy MLP Funds |
| IAK | iShares US Insurance ETF | 14.74% | 0.38% | $370,618,898 | Financial Services Funds |
| HEFA | iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF | 14.77% | 0.35% | $7,013,939,683 | International Large-Cap Core |
| DDWM | WisdomTree Dynamic International Equity Fund | 14.82% | 0.40% | $1,346,827,139 | International Multi-Cap Value |
| DBEF | Xtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 14.99% | 0.35% | $8,497,114,104 | International Large-Cap Core |
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Best Performing ETFs in the Last 10 Years
These are the top-performing ETFs on an annualized basis between May 1, 2016 and April 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 | 2051.31% | 35.92% | 0.35% | $58,790,612,119.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| SOXX | iShares Semiconductor ETF | 1651.91% | 33.15% | 0.34% | $29,566,458,902.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PSI | Invesco Semiconductors ETF | 1610.77% | 32.84% | 0.56% | $1,991,072,593.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XSD | State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF | 1108.39% | 28.30% | 0.35% | $2,475,979,040.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| PTF | Invesco Dorsey Wright Technology Momentum ETF | 831.09% | 25.00% | 0.60% | $582,867,151.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| IYW | iShares US Technology ETF | 804.77% | 24.64% | 0.38% | $21,450,867,497.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| VGT | Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund ETF | 765.70% | 24.09% | 0.09% | $127,188,482,757.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| FTEC | Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 752.03% | 23.89% | 0.08% | $17,889,990,141.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XLK | State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 744.26% | 23.78% | 0.08% | $103,332,432,554.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
| XNTK | State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 744.05% | 23.78% | 0.35% | $1,814,291,735.00 | Science & Technology Funds |
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Equity ETFs with the Lowest Drawdown in the Last 10 Years
As of April 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% | 1.65% | $23,003,988 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| PTMC | Pacer Trendpilot US Mid Cap ETF | 20.53% | 0.60% | $392,519,070 | Small-Cap Core Funds |
| CDC | VictoryShares US EQ Income Enh Vol Wtd ETF | 21.36% | 0.35% | $736,552,663 | Multi-Cap Value Funds |
| TDI | Touchstone Dynamic International ETF | 23.91% | 0.65% | $249,675,034 | International Large-Cap Core |
| CFO | VictoryShares US 500 Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF | 24.33% | 0.35% | $408,155,259 | Multi-Cap Core Funds |
| XLP | State Street Consumer Staples Sel Sect SPDR ETF | 24.50% | 0.08% | $14,545,358,239 | Consumer Goods Funds |
| KXI | iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF | 24.59% | 0.39% | $1,016,805,264 | Consumer Goods Funds |
| RTH | VanEck Retail ETF | 24.99% | 0.35% | $265,318,861 | Consumer Services Funds |
| GMOM | Cambria Global Momentum ETF | 25.02% | 1.01% | $140,310,455 | Global Multi-Cap Core |
| FSTA | Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF | 25.09% | 0.08% | $1,438,214,766 | 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 $84K.
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 $215,000 today. Right behind it was the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX); investing $10,000 into SOXX back in 2016 would’ve turned into $175K.
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