So everyone’s been talking about how “you can’t beat the S&P or the Nasdaq.”
Well, some ETFs said “hold my beer.”
From copper miners to AI-tech rockets, a surprising batch of ETFs absolutely obliterated both SPY (+16.4%) and QQQ (+21%) YTD (Jan–Dec 2025).
Here’s the leaderboard of winners that beat both major benchmarks:
1 iShares MSCI Global Silver & Metals Miners (SLVP) +189.9%
2 Global X Gold Explorers (GOEX) +172.7%
3 Sprott Junior Copper Miners (COPJ) +114.3%
4 iShares Asia 50 (AIA) +40%
5 iShares MSCI Eurozone (EZU) +36.2%
6 ARK Space Exploration (ARKX) +37.5%
7 MicroSectors Gold Miners 3X ETN (GDXU) +34.4%
8 ARK Innovation (ARKK) +32.7%
9 Invesco S&P 500 Momentum (SPMO) +30.3%
10 Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets (VEA) +29.6%
11 iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) +28.6%
12 iShares MSCI ACWI ex US (ACWX) +27.7%
13 Global X FANG+ (FANG) +22.9%
14 Roundhill Magnificent Seven (MAGS) +23.9%
Source: Nasdaq & ETFStock.Trading
These are YTD total returns, not future guarantees. Markets can flip fast always do your own research and manage risk.