ASX ETF Momentum Leaders: Top 10 by Quarterly Return
- Christopher Hall
- Jun 22
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Written by Christopher Hall, AdvDipFP | Authorised Representative, AFSL 526688 | Updated July 2026
Data current as of 17 July 2026.
The top-performing ASX-listed ETF over the past quarter is the Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUGG), up 46.24% in total return to 17 July 2026, ahead of a second cybersecurity fund — the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (HACK, +34.27%) — and the Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (CLDD, +21.75%). For the first time in a month the top of the board is not semiconductors. Two cybersecurity ETFs from different providers hold the top two places, and the Asia-technology and Korean-memory funds that led through late June and mid-July have slipped down the ranks or fallen out of the Top 10 entirely. This page ranks the ASX ETF universe by quarterly momentum and is updated weekly.
This Week's Top 10 ASX ETFs by Quarterly Momentum
# | Ticker | ETF | Theme | Quarterly total return |
1 | BUGG | Global X Cybersecurity | Global pure-play cybersecurity | +46.24% |
2 | HACK | Betashares Global Cybersecurity | Global cybersecurity (broad) | +34.27% |
3 | CLDD | Betashares Cloud Computing | Global cloud & SaaS software | +21.75% |
4 | ASIA | Betashares Asia Technology Tigers | Asia ex-Japan tech & internet | +15.66% |
5 | BEST | ETF Shares US Quality | US quality-factor equities | +14.99% |
6 | ESGI | VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity | Global sustainable equity | +14.01% |
7 | IJR | iShares S&P Small-Cap | US small-cap equities | +12.74% |
8 | XX20 | First Sentier Ex-20 Australian Share (Active) | ASX 300 ex-top-20 Australian shares | +12.62% |
9 | U100 | Global X U100 | 100 largest US companies | +12.60% |
10 | BNKS | Betashares Global Banks | Global banks | +12.59% |
Price and performance data sourced from the Australian Warrant Exchange (AXW), an ASX market, via Finer Market Points' ASX-listed ETF watchlist ranked by quarterly total return to 17 July 2026. Fund identities and holdings referenced on this page are provider data (Global X, Betashares) as at 16 July 2026.
The Leading ETF Thematic This Week: Cybersecurity Takes the Board — a Changing of the Guard
For three of the previous four weekly rankings, the top of the ASX ETF board was a semiconductor and Asian-memory story — the Global X Semiconductor ETF, the South Korea fund IKO and the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASIA) traded the leading positions. This week the leadership has rotated. Cybersecurity now holds the top two places, and the old leaders are unwinding: ASIA, which led the board outright on 1 July, has fallen to fourth and dropped roughly 13% in the past week alone; IKO has fallen out of the Top 10; and the semiconductor and geared-Nasdaq funds that sat first, second and third a fortnight ago have left the list entirely.
Pulling the quarterly price performance of the names inside the two leading cyber funds shows what did the work. The cybersecurity platform leaders ran hard: Palo Alto Networks rose roughly +95%, Fortinet about +80% and CrowdStrike about +74% over the window (directional, from stockanalysis.com daily closes, 6 May to 17 July 2026 — a period slightly shorter than the funds' 90-day return, so treat the magnitudes as directional). Those three names sit near the top of both BUGG and HACK at roughly 7–10% each. By contrast, the cloud-security names that these funds share with the cloud fund CLDD — Zscaler (about +8%) and Akamai (about −1.5%) — were flat to down. The driver, in other words, is not "software" broadly and not cloud; it is the cybersecurity platform leaders specifically. The full crossover breakdown — which names sit across the three leading funds, at what weight, and how each performed — is in this week's BUGG vs HACK vs CLDD comparison.
What This List Measures
This page ranks ASX-listed ETFs by quarterly total return — the same 90-day momentum lens Finer Market Points applies to individual ASX stocks, adapted to the ETF universe. It is a record of which themes are leading over the period, not a recommendation to buy any fund. The list refreshes weekly so the leading themes stay current, and a week like this one — where the top of the board changes hands from one theme to another — is exactly what the ranking is built to surface.
Related FMP Coverage
This week's deep dive: BUGG vs HACK vs CLDD — the cybersecurity leaders driving the ASX ETF board
The theme that just lost the lead: SEMI vs TECH vs LNAS — three routes to the same return and SEMI vs IKO vs ASIA — one shared driver
The Asian funds now slipping down the board: ASIA vs ASAO vs EAFZ — the crossover companies
ETF basics for Australians: Hedged vs Unhedged ETFs: Which Is Better?
Individual stock momentum: FMP Momentum Leaders
Access the Research Behind This List
Finer Market Points publishes the weekly Top 30 ASX momentum data — the same proprietary research framework behind this ETF list. Members receive the underlying educational data and weekly analysis discussed in reports like this one through the FMP YouTube Membership.
Remember that past performance is no guarantee of future results, and all trading involves risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best performing ASX ETF right now?
As at 17 July 2026, the Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUGG) leads the ASX-listed ETF universe with a quarterly total return of 46.24%, followed by a second cybersecurity fund, the Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF (HACK, +34.27%), and the Betashares Cloud Computing ETF (CLDD, +21.75%). Performance data is sourced from the Australian Warrant Exchange (AXW), an ASX market.
Which theme is leading ASX ETFs this week?
Cybersecurity. Two cybersecurity ETFs from different providers (BUGG and HACK) hold the top two places, displacing the semiconductor and Asian-memory funds that led the board through late June and mid-July. It is a clear rotation: the Asia Technology Tigers fund (ASIA) has fallen from first on 1 July to fourth, and the South Korea fund (IKO) has dropped out of the Top 10.
Which companies are driving the top ASX ETFs this quarter?
The cybersecurity platform leaders. Over the window to 17 July 2026, Palo Alto Networks rose roughly 95%, Fortinet about 80% and CrowdStrike about 74% (directional figures from stockanalysis.com daily closes, 6 May to 17 July 2026). Those names sit near the top of both leading cyber funds. The cloud-security names the funds share with the cloud fund — Zscaler and Akamai — were flat to slightly negative over the same period, so the driver is cybersecurity specifically rather than software broadly.
How is this ASX ETF momentum list calculated?
ASX-listed ETFs are ranked by quarterly total return over the most recent 90 days, using Finer Market Points' watchlist of the ASX ETF universe with price and performance data from the Australian Warrant Exchange (AXW), an ASX market. The list is updated weekly.
Are these ETFs available to Australian investors?
Yes — all ten are listed and traded on the ASX. This page is general, educational information only and does not consider any individual's objectives, financial situation or needs.
Sources
# | Source | Detail | Accessed |
1 | Australian Warrant Exchange (AXW), an ASX market | ASX-listed ETF price and quarterly total return data | 17 Jul 2026 |
2 | Global X | BUGG and U100 fund profiles, holdings, fees and fund size | 16 Jul 2026 |
3 | Betashares | HACK, CLDD, ASIA and BNKS fund profiles, holdings, fees and fund size | 16 Jul 2026 |
4 | stockanalysis.com | Constituent closing prices (Palo Alto, Fortinet, CrowdStrike, Zscaler, Akamai), 6 May–17 Jul 2026 | 17 Jul 2026 |
5 | Finer Market Points | Momentum research framework and ETF watchlist methodology | 17 Jul 2026 |
Educational Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Consider your financial situation and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Finer Market Points Pty Ltd, CAR 1304002, AFSL 526688, ABN 87 645 284 680. This general information is educational only and not financial advice, recommendation, forecast or solicitation. Consider your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting. Seek appropriate professional advice. We accept no liability for any loss or damages arising from use. Authors and presenters may hold positions in discussed companies and investment products.
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