Up 38%: Why the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (NDQ) keeps hitting new record highs

This ETF can't seem to stop hitting new highs.

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Well, it's another day and another new all-time record high for the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ).

Over 2024 to date, this exchange-traded fund (ETF) has been one of the ASX's best-performing index funds. NDQ units started the year at $37.37 each. But today, those same units have touched a new record of $51.64 each, a giant worth just over 38% at the time of writing.

This has naturally come with a bevy of new record highs for this ASX ETF over the year, of which today's is just the latest.

The stunning performance of the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF mirrors the performance of the NASDAQ-100 (NASDAQ: NDX) itself. The Nasdaq 100 Index has gained an equally impressive 33.5% over this year.

Longer-term investors have done even better. As of 29 November, NDQ's ASX units have returned an average of 21.19% per annum over the past five years (including dividend returns).

Check all of this out for yourself below:

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL0www.fool.com.au

The extra performance that the NDQ ETF has delivered probably comes down to currency fluctuations. Remember, this ETF's assets are priced in US dollars. As such, they become more valuable in Australian dollar terms if our currency declines in value against the US dollar, which has indeed occurred over 2024 so far.

So, how did this index fund get here?

How has the ASX NDQ delivered so many record highs in 2024?

Well, as an index fund, NDQ's performance on the ASX rises and falls on the performance of its underlying holdings, particularly the largest ones.

In this case, those would be the 'magnificent seven' tech titans that now dominate the American markets. Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet, Tesla, and Meta Platforms together account for 44.7% of the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF's entire portfolio. If we throw in software stock Broadcom, we get to 51.6%.

Over 2024, here's how these stocks have performed:

  • Apple has gained 35.23%
  • Microsoft has risen 21.77%
  • Nvidia has rocketed 174.03%
  • Amazon has shot up 55.36%
  • Alphabet (Class A) has gained 42.33%
  • Tesla has vaulted 86.39%
  • Meta Platforms has surged 80.27%
  • Broadcom has ballooned 130.33%

That's four out of eight of NDQ's largest stocks with a year-to-date gain of over 80%. Two are up more than 130%. And the smallest gain is a 'mere' 21.77%.

With these kinds of gains happening amongst NDQ's largest holdings, it's no wonder this ASX ETF has had such a stunning year.

Let's see how many additional new all-time highs the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF hits before the year is out.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF - Currency Hedged, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Broadcom and has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF - Currency Hedged, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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