Niche ASX ETFs headed for massive growth

There are plenty of emerging sectors that investors can now gain access to through focussed ASX ETFs. 

Traditionally, ETFs were seen as a way to track broad markets or indexes. These were often indexes like the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) or S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

Funds that track these indexes are still great cornerstones of many portfolios. However targeting emerging sectors as well can help capture future growth. 

These are often referred to as thematic ASX ETFs. 

New insights from Global X have highlighted two such sectors that could be set for growth. 

Indian market lag creates opportunity 

A new report from Global X has reinforced the opportunity for Indian equities. 

However it is important to point out it has had a rough start to 2026. 

According to the report, the Indian share market started 2026 with its worst relative performance versus emerging markets in over 30 years.

However, there are three key tailwinds set to kick in that could help future growth. 

Firstly, the ETF provider pointed towards policy stability. 

Global X said India’s government is reducing its fiscal deficit while maintaining significant capital expenditure. This is evident across transport, energy, and defence. 

Continued investment in infrastructure supports long term productivity, while incentives for electronics, semiconductors, and clean energy help shore up domestic manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.

Secondly, trade clarity with the US is improving. 

The long anticipated US – India trade deal removed a major overhang for markets, easing tariff uncertainty and improving sentiment among foreign investors. 

Finally, AI infrastructure is emerging as a growth engine. 

Global X said major global tech companies (including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta and others) have announced large-scale commitments to AI, cloud, and data-centre buildouts across the country. 

With hyperscaler spending accelerating, India is aiming to transition from an outsourcing destination to a foundational AI infrastructure hub.

ASX ETFs to consider if you are looking for exposure to Indian equities include: 

• The Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX:NDIA)
• Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

AI infrastructure buildout 

Another global sector set for future growth is AI and semiconductors. 

Of course, the growth of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. 

However, Global X has outlined the case that the semiconductors sector is moving through an important transition from cyclical to structural. 

What this means is the first phase of the AI trade was driven by demand for compute, concentrating gains in a small group of AI chip designers and hyperscalers as training and inference scaled rapidly. 

Now, as AI systems grow, tightening memory supply, surging storage needs, and rising data centre power demands are revealing infrastructure constraints. This is shifting the story from pure compute to a broader build-out across semiconductors and physical assets.

The AI build-out is now spreading across two distinct layers. The first is the digital layer, which sits within the semiconductor ecosystem and includes memory, foundries, chip designers, equipment, and advanced packaging.

The second is the physical layer, which allows that compute to operate at scale. This includes electricity generation, grid upgrades, data centres, cooling systems, and the broader industrial capacity required to support them. As AI workloads grow, this layer becomes just as critical as the chips themselves.

To target semiconductors directly, an ASX ETF to consider is the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI). 

For investors looking to target the physical layer of the AI buildout, a fund to consider is the Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). 

The post Niche ASX ETFs headed for massive growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• The case for emerging markets ASX ETFs strengthens: Expert

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.