Here are the 5 best performing ASX ETFs of 2021

Which funds won the battle of the ETFs in 2021?

Five guys in suits wearing brightly coloured masks, they are corporate superheroes.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Although the ASX share market has had a rather rocky start to 2022, remember that 2021 was a pretty decent year for ASX shares overall. In the year that has just passed us by, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) returned roughly 13% (plus dividends and franking). That, in turn, means that any ASX index exchange-traded fund (ETF), which are perenially the most popular ETFs on the market, would have more or less matched that return.

But some ETFs managed a 2021 performance far exceeding that benchmark. So here are the ASX's best performing ETFs of 2021.

The 5 best performing ASX ETFs of 2021

iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)

This ETF from BlackRock's iShares is our first high flyer to check out today. IVV is a rather simple ETF, covering the most-tracked index in the world, the US S&P 500. This index tracks 500 of the largest companies on the US markets. These include everything from the US tech giants like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), Adobe Inc (NASDAQ: ADBE) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F).

IVV returned 36.36% in 2021, making it the ASX's fifth best-performing ETF.

iShares Core MSCI World ex Australia ESG Leaders ETF (ASX: IWLD)

Another iShares ETF, this fund comes in next. IWLD is an ETF that focuses on mid- and large-cap companies from outside Australia, selected for "leading ESG practices within their industry". At the time of writing, this ETF has 720 holdings, the largest mostly coming from the US markets. We have Apple and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), as well as Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA), Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA) and Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE: TM).

IWLD returned just over 38% for the 2021 calendar year.

SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate Fund (ASX: DJRE)

Our third top-performing ETF of 2021 is a little different. Rather than racking large baskets of shares, this ETF only holds real estate investment trusts (REITs) and other property-linked companies and funds from around the world. The ASX's Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) is a large holding here, as well as other shares like Prologis Inc (NYSE: PLD) and Public Storage (NYSE: PSA). Over 2021, DJRE returned 38.56%, of which 4.05% came from dividend distributions.

BetaShares Crude Oil Index ETF (ASX: OOO)

A whole different kettle of fish again, this EFT from BetaShares takes the silver medal for 2021 performance. OOO is a pure-play commodities fund. It tracks an index that reflects the performance of crude oil futures. As you may be aware, oil had a dramatic 2021, rising to levels we haven't seen for years. This is reflected in this ETF's performance, which gave investors a healthy return of 47.8% over the year just gone.

BetaShares Geared US Equity Fund (ASX: GGUS) and ETFS Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (ASX: LNAS)

In a 2-for-1 special, these two ETFs were the best performing of the entire ASX last year. We'll look at them together since they largely operate in a similar manner, and track similar markets. These two ETFs are 'leveraged' (or geared) which means they use borrowing to potentially magnify the gains (or losses) of the indexes they track.

BetaShares' GGUS covers the S&P 500 Index, while ETFS' LNAS covers the Nasdaq 100. Fortunately for investors, last year was a lucrative one for both of these indexes, which means that these ETFs recorded larger gains again due to their leveraged nature. LNAS returned a total of 64.7% in 2021, while GGUS gave back a very pleasing 66.25%, making it the best ASX ETF on the market.

Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns Ford, Mastercard, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Adobe Inc., Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway (B shares), Mastercard, and iShares Trust - iShares Core S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on ETFs

a man with a wide, eager smile on his face holds up three fingers.
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

Looking to make long term investments? Then check out these ETFs.

Read more »

ETF spelt out with a rising green arrow.
ETFs

Invest $5,000 into these ASX ETFs this week

These ETFs could be great options for investors with money to put into the market.

Read more »

A bemused woman holds two presents of different sizes and colours and tries to make a choice.
ETFs

Are Westpac shares or Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY) units a better buy?

Is a major bank or a high yield fund a stronger choice?

Read more »

A happy elderly couple enjoy a cuppa outdoors as the woman looks through binoculars.
ETFs

1 excellent ASX ETF I'd buy for the ultra-long term

Just investing in great shares could lead to strong outcomes.

Read more »

a diverse groups of about twenty people stand together in a crowd staring to the front with angry and annoyed looks on their faces.
ETFs

These are the most popular ASX ETFs that Aussies are buying in 2024

Let's see which ETFs are popular among local investors in 2024.

Read more »

Man holding fifty Australian Dollar banknote in his hands, symbolising dividends, symbolising dividends.
ETFs

Invest $3,000 into these ASX ETFs next month

Here's what sort of stocks you would be buying with these ETFs.

Read more »

The letters ETF sit in orange on top of a chart with a magnifying glass held over the top of it
ETFs

3 excellent ASX ETFs to buy for 2025

These ETFs are highly rated by analysts. Here's what you need to know about them.

Read more »

Four young friends on a road trip smile and laugh as they sit on roof of their car.
ETFs

4 popular ASX tech ETFs smashing new all-time highs today

Do you own any of these lucky ETFs?

Read more »