Annual ETF Highlights: A Dive Into the Best and Worst of 2024
16 January 2025
Flows
Winner: VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS)
VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS) led the pack with nearly $1.3 billion in net inflows, driven by the increasing global focus on defense and security in the times of geopolitical instability. It was followed by the VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMH) with its exposure to AI enablers, and VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF (TDIV), highlighting growing interest in income solutions.
On the flip side, the VanEck Morningstar US ESG Wide Moat UCITS ETF (MOAT) faced significant outflows, losing $151.9 million, having underperformed in a year when US returns were dominated by few mega-caps. It was joined by VanEck Video Gaming and eSports UCITS ETF (ESPO) and VanEck J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond UCITS ETF (EMLC) as the bottom three by flows.
Performance
Winner: VanEck Video Gaming and eSports UCITS ETF (ESPO)
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports UCITS ETF (ESPO) was on the top of the performance leaderboard with an impressive 48.60% in 2024. This signified a reversal of fortunes for the industry that suffered to find its mojo in the aftermath of Corona-time boom. VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS), and VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (DAPP) complete the lineup with the latter benefitting from a crypto bull market and potential for more crypto-friendly regulations in the US in 2025.
Past performance is not an indicator of future returns. To see full performance of the fund since inception and related risks, please click on the following link: Esports ETF | ESPO | VanEck
Among the worst performers, VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals UCITS ETF (REMX) recorded a -35.1% return in 2024, followed by VanEck Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (HDRO) and VanEck S&P Global Mining UCITS ETF (GDIG). During the course of the year, REMX and GDIG suffered due to the elevated commodity prices volatility and unclear global economic growth prospects. Poor performance of HDRO and REMX also highlights the struggles that the green economy is facing in the era of elevated borrowing costs.
Past performance is not an indicator of future returns. To see full performance of the fund since inception and related risks, please click on the following link: Rare Earth ETF | REMX | VanEck
Volatility (Equity)
Highest Volatility: VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (DAPP)
The list is traditionally headlined by the VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (DAPP) with its exposure to a volatile crypto-assets market. It’s counterparts in the top 3 are VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMH), and VanEck Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (HDRO). The ETFs in questions represent concentrated thematic solutions on the growth side of the style spectrum and as such could be expected to see much higher risk levels compared to the broad markets.
Lowest Volatility: VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat UCITS ETF (GOAT)
Among the least volatile ETFs, VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat UCITS ETF (GOAT) was joined by VanEck World Equal Weight Screened UCITS ETF (TSWE) and VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders ETF (TDIV). All of these are broad global equity portfolios, highlighting importance of diversified strategies at the core of risk-conscious investor’s allocation.
Performance table
| Ticker | 1YR | 3YR | 5YR | 10YR | ETF Inception |
| DFNS | 43.54 | -- | -- | -- | 39.76 |
| MOAT | 11.08 | 2.09 | 8.70 | -- | 12.64 |
| ESPO | 48.60 | 8.86 | 18.38 | -- | 19.64 |
| REMX | -35.12 | -28.69 | -- | -- | -25.18 |
| DAPP | 43.45 | -8.62 | -- | -- | -17.19 |
| GOAT | 9.58 | 2.51 | -- | -- | 8.47 |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the KID before making any final investment decisions. This information originates from VanEck (Europe) GmbH, which has been appointed as distributor of VanEck products in Europe by the Management Company VanEck Asset Management B.V., incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). VanEck (Europe) GmbH with registered address at Kreuznacher Str. 30, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany, is a financial services provider regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany (BaFin).
The information is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice VanEck (Europe) GmbH and its associated and affiliated companies (together “VanEck”) assume no liability with regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this information. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Opinions are current as of the publication date and are subject to change with market conditions. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Brokerage or transaction fees may apply.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Morningstar US ESG Wide Moat UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck ETFs N.V., is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the AFM, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Video Gaming and eSports UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Crypto and Blockchain Innovators UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck S&P Global Mining UCITS ETF (the "Fund"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The Fund is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck Morningstar Global Wide Moat UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck UCITS ETFs plc, is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the Central Bank of Ireland, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
VanEck Asset Management B.V., the management company of VanEck World Equal Weight Screened UCITS ETF (the "ETF"), a sub-fund of VanEck ETFs N.V., is a UCITS management company incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The ETF is registered with the AFM, passively managed and tracks an equity index. Investing in the ETF should be interpreted as acquiring shares of the ETF and not the underlying assets.
Investors must read the sales prospectus and key investor information before investing in a fund. These are available in English and the KIIDs/KIDs in certain other languages as applicable and can be obtained free of charge at www.vaneck.com, from the Management Company or from the following local information agents:
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All performance information is based on historical data and does not predict future returns. Investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck.
© VanEck (Europe) GmbH
Important Disclosure
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the KID before making any final investment decisions.
This information originates from VanEck (Europe) GmbH, which has been appointed as distributor of VanEck products in Europe by the Management Company VanEck Asset Management B.V., incorporated under Dutch law and registered with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). VanEck (Europe) GmbH with registered address at Kreuznacher Str. 30, 60486 Frankfurt, Germany, is a financial services provider regulated by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany (BaFin).
The information is intended only to provide general and preliminary information to investors and shall not be construed as investment, legal or tax advice VanEck (Europe) GmbH, VanEck Switzerland AG, VanEck Securities UK Limited and their associated and affiliated companies (together “VanEck”) assume no liability with regards to any investment, divestment or retention decision taken by the investor on the basis of this information. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) but not necessarily those of VanEck. Opinions are current as of the publication date and are subject to change with market conditions. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results. Information provided by third party sources is believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. Brokerage or transaction fees may apply.
All performance information is based on historical data and does not predict future returns. Investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of VanEck.
© VanEck (Europe) GmbH / VanEck Asset Management B.V.
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