What were the best performing ASX ETFs in January?

A new report from Global X revealed where ASX ETF investors were focussed in January 2026. 

The ETF Market Scoop Report said investors poured $5.3 billion in Australian ETFs in the first month of 2026, marking the best start to the year on record. 

Subsequently, the Australian Exchange Traded Fund market grew $5.8 billion (+1.7%) over the month to $336.4 billion across 463 products.

Here were some of the prominent themes. 

Metals Mayhem 

Acording to Global X, January was defined by extreme volatility across precious metals.

The report said several metals were sold off aggressively, with silver recording its worst intraday fall on record during January. 

Despite the drawdown, trading activity accelerated, as investors actively repositioned across the precious metals complex. The scale of this repositioning was evident in Australian-listed ETFs, with total precious metals ETF trading reaching $2.4 billion during January, marking the highest monthly volume on record.

Additionally, Global X said precious metal ETFs took in $447 million in January, marking the highest month on record for the category. 

Historically, silver ETFs have averaged roughly $3 million in daily turnover over the past five years. However in January, that figure rose to $47 million per day. 

After such unprecedented investment in the sector, investors may be wondering if there is still upside. 

Fortunately, Global X said the longer-term outlook for silver continues to be supported by structural demand from electrification, given its critical role in solar panels, electric vehicles, AI infrastructure and power grids.

Gold's Bull Market is far from over

Another key point from the report was that gold's current rally sits firmly within a secular bull market, echoing earlier multi-year uptrends rather than a late-cycle spike. 

Global X said previous bull markets have been driven by a weaker US dollar, accommodative monetary policy and rising geopolitical risk – a backdrop that shares clear parallels with today's environment.

Gold's price is underpinned by more than just ETF flows. Ongoing central bank buying, as countries diversify reserves away from the US dollar, remains a major structural driver. Official sector demand has stayed largely price-insensitive, with purchases sustained even as gold moved to new highs, highlighting that gold is increasingly treated as a core reserve asset rather than a cyclical trade.

Best performing ASX ETFs

Some of the best performing ASX ETFs across January reflected these themes. 

Hydrogen's strong was driven by improving order momentum, supportive policy, and growing confidence in commercial viability.

Simultaneously, Uranium miners continued their resurgence, as investors refocused on nuclear energy's role in meeting AI-driven power demand.

Finally, the report said equity leadership remained concentrated in North Asia, with Korea extending its momentum.

According to the report, ASX ETFs that saw big gains in January included: 

• Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX:ETPMAG) rose 36.4%
• Betashares Global Uranium Etf (ASX: URNM) rose 33.7%
• ETFs Hydrogen ETF (ASX: HGEN) lifted 24.8%
• Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM) increased 24.3%
• iShares Msci South Korea ETF (ASX: IKO) rose 21.3%. 

The post What were the best performing ASX ETFs in January? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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.

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