ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) provide an easy way to invest in international shares via our local exchange.

And Aussie investors love ’em.

There is now a record $372 billion invested across 458 ETFs on the market today, according to Betashares data.

Demonstrating their rising popularity, ASX ETFs attracted a net $30 billion of investment in the second half of FY26.

Back in 2024, $30 billion was the amount invested over the full year.

The industry is responding by introducing new products, with a record 72 new ETFs commencing trading in FY26.

This product expansion is allowing investors to direct more money into thematic trends.

Senior investment strategist, Marc Jocum from Global X commented (courtesy Australian Financial Review):

It’s been a record year for thematic ETF investing driven by the energy transition and AI, so the way Aussie investors are allocating is changing.

Historically, investors sought outperformance through active managers, but that is slowly changing as investors are now seeking outperformance through exposure selection instead – the past was ‘who’ to back, now it’s ‘what’ to back.

The Australian Securities Exchange has just released the full-year performance data for ASX ETFs in FY26.

The data reveals the six ASX ETFs holding international shares that delivered the best total returns last year.

Let’s take a look.

Top 6 international ETFs for total returns in FY26

The popularity of thematic investing is showcased in the top 6 ASX ETFs for total returns last financial year.

Total returns incorporate both share price gains and distributions (dividends).

1. iShares MSCI South Korea AUD ETF (ASX: IKO)

The IKO ETF delivered a spectacular one-year total return of 171%. The historical distribution yield is 4.6%.

This ASX ETF seeks to mirror the tech-heavy MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, providing exposure to Korea’s largest companies.

IKO ETF paid the biggest dollar-value dividend among iShares ETFs this season at $13.98 per unit.

IKO ETF is $246.58 per unit, up 2.7% on Thursday.

2. Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

The SEMI ETF produced a ripping one-year return of 161%. The historical distribution yield is 6.2%.

SEMI is linked to the massive artificial intelligence (AI) investment thematic.

Semiconductors control electrical currents in computer chips and everyday devices like smartphones.

SEMI ETF is $38.01 per unit, up 2.1% today.

3. Global X Hydrogen AUD ETF (ASX: HGEN)

The HGEN ETF returned 135% in FY26. The historical distribution yield is 0.7%.

HGEN invests in companies within the global hydrogen industry. Hydrogen is considered a powerful green energy source.

HGEN ETF is $9.89 per unit, up 0.5% today.

4. Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The ASIA ETF delivered a one-year return of 96%. The historical distribution yield is 1.7%.

ASIA ETF invests in 50 of the largest technology and online retail shares in Asia (ex-Japan).

ASIA ETF is $20.39 per unit, up 1.7% today.

5. Betashares Energy Transition Metals ETF (ASX: XMET)

The XMET ETF delivered a one-year return of 83%. The historical distribution yield is 3.6%.

This ASX ETF invests in global metals producers specifically involved in the green energy transition.

The metals in demand include copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese, silver, and rare earths.

XMET ETF is $14.03 per unit, up 1.6%.

6. Global X S&P Biotech ETF (ASX: CURE)

The CURE ETF delivered a total annual return of 81%. This ETF does not pay distributions.

CURE ETF invests in genomic science companies.

They include businesses involved in gene editing, genomic sequencing, and genetic medicine and therapy.

CURE ETF is $73.83 per unit, down 1% today.

The post 6 best international ASX ETFs of FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 super ASX ETFs to buy and hold until 2046
• The ASX ETF market is set for a record year – Here are the best performers so far in 2026
• Why it’s vital for investors to look to international shares for growth: Expert 
• Own ACDC, FANG, or SEMI ETF? Global X is paying your dividend today!
• 3 ASX ETFs that have returned better than 80% over the past year

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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.

Australian sharemarkets have been chopping through the past seven months as investors come to terms with global uncertainty, interest rate changes, and soaring inflation.

When times are tough, investors tend to lean towards established ASX shares that have long track records.

Here’s what brokers expect from these three well-known ASX shares next.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Supermarket giant Woolworths has performed well this year. For the year to date, its shares are up around 32%, mostly trending higher over the past seven months. 

It looks like the steady increase was driven by renewed investor confidence. Many are confident that the retailer’s earnings are recovering after a difficult period in late 2025.

Earlier this year, in February, Woolworths posted a stronger-than-expected first-half result and confirmed it is actively pursuing cost-cutting initiatives to help support margins and earnings over time. 

It looks like the efforts are coming to fruition, too.

But now, after an incredible run, Woolworths shares look to have reached their peak and are trading around fair value. 

TradingView data shows that nine out of 17 analysts have a hold rating on the supermarket stock. Another four rate the shares as a buy or strong buy, and four rate Woolworths shares as a strong sell. The average $36.33 target price now implies a potential 7% downside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD)

Elders is a high-quality mid-cap ASX 300 stock that is a leading supplier of fertiliser, agricultural chemicals, and animal health products to rural and regional Australia. It has strong agency positions in livestock, wool, and real estate.

The Elders share price is usually pretty stable, but in May this year it crashed 23% within a day after the release of its half-year results.

The company reported a 25% increase in operating revenue, a 19% increase in EBIT, and a 1% decrease in underlying NPAT. The figures came in well below expectations, and investors quickly sold off the shares.

The ASX shares tumbled even lower in the following few weeks, bottoming at an all-time low of $5 in late June. But they’ve now started rebounding, up around 12% to the time of writing.

It looks like many brokers think the rebound can keep going too.

TradingView data shows that the majority (five out of eight) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares. The average $6.52 target price implies a potential 17% upside at the time of writing. 

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers shares had a difficult start to the year and slumped to an annual low in mid-May. But the retail conglomerate quickly recovered, and the shares are now around 24% higher than that point at the time of writing. For the year to date, Wesfarmers shares are around 8% higher.

The business benefited from an uptick in consumer spending and news that interest rates could start falling. Wesfarmers’ sheer scale and market dominance across several retail sectors have also helped reinforce the company’s competitive advantage.

Wesfarmers has been actively expanding too, including opening new Anko stores in the Philippines, and its Kmart segment is testing larger K Home stores locally.

But now, after a huge share price rebound, Wesfarmers shares look a little overpriced.

TradingView data shows that half (seven out of 14) of analysts have a strong sell rating on the stock. Another six rate Wesfarmers shares as a hold. Only one broker now holds a buy rating. The average $77.53 target price implies a potential 12% downside, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woolworths, Elders, Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 8 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week
• How much does Morgan Stanley think Wesfarmers shares will fall?
• How many Wesfarmers shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income?
• Why I’d buy Qantas, Woolworths, and ResMed shares
• Up 29% since May, can Wesfarmers shares keep surging higher?

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

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) shares are climbing higher into the green today.

At the time of writing, the shares are up around 4% at $55.57 a piece.

The increase is great news for investors after a volatile run so far this year. The shares have swung wildly, ranging from $27.65 to $74.94 over the past 12 months. 

For the year to date, they’re roughly flat, and they’re around 81% higher than 12 months ago.

So if I bought $1,000 of Minerals Resources shares 12 months ago, what would they be worth today?

This time last year, the miner’s shares were close to a multi-year low and trading hands for $30.66 each. Today they’re trading 81% higher.

That means your $1,000 investment in July last year would now be worth closer to $1,810.

That’s a decent increase!

What’s ahead for Mineral Resources shares?

The experts are incredibly bullish about the upside for Mineral Resources shares over the next 12 months.

Market Index data shows that all brokers agree on a buy rating on the ASX mining share. The average $79.83 target price implies an upside of around 50% at the time of writing. 

The data is similar on TradingView. Sentiment is more mixed, but the majority (10 out of 16) have a buy or strong buy rating on the shares.

The average target price is lower at $69.68, implying a potential 26% upside at the time of writing. But more bullish analysts expect the shares to increase 55% to around $86 a piece over the next 12 months.

If analyst forecasts are correct, your $1,000 investment last year could be worth around $2,800 by July 2027.

What could drive the share price higher over the next 12 months?

It looks like the key driver of a share price increase over the next year is that the ASX mining stock is still considered oversold and below fair value.

Mineral Resources suffered a sharp share price crash in mid-2024, before bottoming at a five-year low in early 2025. Since then, there has been an impressive recovery. But it appears that the miner has a lot more to bring to the table.

Mineral Resources has major exposure to lithium and has ridden the wave of soaring lithium carbonate prices through early 2026. 

The miner confirmed plans to restart operations at its 100%-owned Bald Hill lithium mine in May, following a “significant and sustained recovery” in lithium prices.

Later the same month, site activity ramped up, and the first production blast was successfully completed in early June.

The initial shipment is expected to depart through the Port of Esperance in the first quarter of FY27.

The post If I invested $1,000 into Mineral Resources shares 12 months ago, guess what I’d have today! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 9 ASX 200 shares with refreshed buy ratings this week
• What are the top picks in the ASX lithium sector right now?
• Buy, hold, sell: Regis Resources, Mineral Resources, Woolworths shares
• Experts name 3 big-name ASX 200 shares to sell
• Top 5 ASX 200 lithium shares of FY26

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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.