Best-performing ETFs of 2026: chips, AI and energy lead the market
The best-performing ETFs of 2026 look very different from the funds most investors hold in their portfolios. While the S&P 500 has delivered another positive year, several specialized ETFs have produced returns approaching 100% — and one unusual tanker fund has risen by more than 1,800%.
As of August 17, semiconductor, artificial intelligence, South Korean stocks and energy-related funds dominate the 2026 ETF leaderboard.
Best-performing ETFs in 2026 so far
The table below compares five of the strongest-performing non-inverse ETFs and exchange-traded products in the U.S. market this year.
| ETF | Ticker | 2026 YTD return* | Expense ratio | Main exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF | BWET | +1,868.6% | 3.50% | Oil tanker freight |
| United States Gasoline Fund | UGA | +100.2% | 1.08% | Gasoline futures |
| Invesco Semiconductors ETF | PSI | +99.6% | 0.56% | Semiconductors |
| VistaShares Artificial Intelligence Supercycle ETF | AIS | +97.6% | 0.75% | AI infrastructure |
| iShares MSCI South Korea ETF | EWY | +90.4% | 0.59% | South Korean equities |
*Performance snapshot through August 17, 2026. Returns can vary slightly depending on NAV, market-price methodology and data cut-off times. Expense ratios are based on fund-provider data.
For comparison, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) returned 10.16% through July 31, while Invesco QQQ gained 12.25% over the same period.
Investors looking for more diversified options can compare our best ETFs to buy in 2026 or see our full guide to ETF investing.
Semiconductors are the real 2026 winner
BWET is the headline-grabber, but semiconductors are the broader story.
At the end of the first half of 2026, semiconductor ETFs occupied most of the top positions among non-leveraged U.S.-listed ETFs. PSI had returned 138.1% through June 30, while several other chip-focused funds had also doubled.
The sector suffered a sharp correction during July, but PSI remains close to a 100% gain for the year. AI-focused AIS has followed a similar path, reflecting continued investor demand for companies involved in chips, data centers and other AI infrastructure.
That performance also explains why technology-heavy funds continue to attract attention. Investors who prefer a broader approach can compare this with our guide to the best S&P 500 ETFs.
Why BWET is a special case
BWET’s return of more than 1,800% needs context.
The fund does not invest in ordinary shipping stocks. Instead, it provides exposure to crude-oil tanker freight futures. Disruption to major oil shipping routes caused freight rates to surge during 2026, creating extraordinary gains for the fund. Amplify itself warns that this exceptional performance reflects unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated.
Its 3.50% expense ratio is also far above the fees charged by mainstream index ETFs. BWET is therefore better viewed as a highly specialized market instrument than as an alternative to a diversified long-term ETF.
Best-performing ETFs in 2026: what investors should remember
The biggest ETF winners of 2026 show how dramatically sector performance can diverge from the broader stock market. Semiconductors, AI infrastructure, South Korea and energy-related strategies have delivered exceptional gains, but those returns have also come with considerably higher concentration and volatility.
Past performance alone should therefore not determine which ETF to buy. Costs, diversification, investment horizon and the assets inside the fund matter just as much. Investors looking beyond growth stocks can also compare the best dividend ETFs or the best gold ETFs.
Frequently asked questions
As of August 17, 2026, the Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET) is one of the strongest-performing non-leveraged U.S.-listed ETFs, with a gain of more than 1,800% year to date. Its strategy is highly specialized and based on tanker freight futures.
Semiconductor and AI ETFs have been among the strongest equity ETF categories. PSI and AIS are both up roughly 100% in 2026, while South Korea-focused ETFs have also significantly outperformed the broader U.S. market.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
