Global X Semiconductor ETF tops performance tables in FY26

7 July 2026

The Global X Semiconductor ETF (SEMI) has emerged as Australia's best-performing exchange traded fund for FY26, delivering a return of +166.8% as the artificial intelligence investment boom expanded beyond software into the semiconductor companies powering the next generation of computing infrastructure. See table below for full performance history.

According to Bloomberg data as of 30 June 2026, the Global X Semiconductor ETF (SEMI) outperformed every other ETF listed on the Australian market, narrowly edging out the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (IKO) (+166.3%) to claim the top position for the financial year.

The result reflects surging investor demand for companies at the centre of the global AI supply chain, particularly semiconductor manufacturers and memory producers benefiting from unprecedented investment in AI infrastructure.

Marc Jocum, Senior Product and Investment Strategist at Global X, said FY26 marked a turning point for the AI investment theme.

"The AI story evolved significantly over the past financial year. Investors moved beyond the companies developing AI software and increasingly focused on the hardware required to make artificial intelligence possible. Semiconductors have become the critical infrastructure underpinning this next phase of technological innovation,” he said.

Investors did more than just talk about the semiconductor opportunity in FY26 - they put capital to work. Semiconductor ETFs were among the most popular thematic exposures in Australia, attracting around $290 million in net inflows over the financial year including a record $131 million in June alone.

The rally was driven by strong demand for advanced chips, high-bandwidth memory and AI servers, with companies across Asia playing an increasingly important role in the global supply chain. South Korean technology leaders, alongside global memory manufacturers, benefited from accelerating investment in AI data centres and computing capacity.

"Investors are realising that the biggest bottleneck for AI is the physical infrastructure required to process and store enormous amounts of data," Mr Jocum said.

"Every new AI application requires exponentially more computing power, creating sustained demand for advanced semiconductors, memory chips and the companies that manufacture the equipment needed to produce them. That structural trend was reflected in investment markets throughout FY26."

The semiconductor sector was one of several technology and innovation themes that delivered exceptional returns over the financial year. Hydrogen, biotechnology, lithium & battery technology and critical minerals also featured prominently among Australia's top-performing ETFs as investors positioned for long-term structural growth opportunities.

By contrast, cryptocurrency-themed ETFs were among the weakest performers after investors rotated towards AI-related opportunities that offered stronger earnings growth and more tangible investment drivers.

Mr Jocum said while market leadership can change over time, the outlook for semiconductor demand remains supported by powerful long-term trends.

"Artificial intelligence adoption is still in its early stages, and we're only beginning to see the scale of infrastructure investment required to support it," he said.

"As governments and businesses continue investing in AI capabilities and digital infrastructure, semiconductors remain one of the most important building blocks of that transformation. While investors should always expect periods of volatility and potentially some short-term pullbacks after the extraordinary gains, the long-term structural drivers supporting the sector remain firmly in place."

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Please contact James Mitchell, Global X Australia | +61 413 619 034 | james.mitchell@globalxetfs.com.au

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^{1. Assets under management as at June 2026, Global X
2 Assets under management as at June 2026, Mirae Asset Financial Group
3 Assets under management as at June 2026, Mirae Asset Global Investments}

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