S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.5% lower at 8,485.3 points on Friday as the conflict in Iran drags on.
Since the war began, ASX 200 shares have fallen 7.8%.
Most sectors, particularly mining, have been negatively impacted, while energy shares have soared due to higher oil, gas, and coal prices.
Earlier this week, we looked at the 5 most traded ASX 200 shares since the war began.
The trading data came from online investment platform Stake and covered the period from 2 March to 18 March.
Only one of the top 5 most traded shares was an energy company.
That alone was interesting, given energy shares are clearly the momentum trade of the moment, with the sector up 16% since 2 March.
The data also indicated another interesting and surprising trend — investors' desire to buy the dip.
Several of the most traded ASX 200 shares had experienced major annual declines, and the war had dragged them even lower.
Examples include CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), and Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) shares.
This is a trend we've seen before among Aussie investors.
Last year, Stake trading data showed Aussies bought the dip during the April 2025 rout after the US announced its reciprocal tariffs.
10 most traded ETFs since the war began
In this article, we take a look at the 10 most traded ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Stake platform since the war began.
This data is highly relevant given that so many Aussie investors are choosing ETFs over individual shares in today's market.
According to the latest market data, Aussies have a record $333 billion invested across 426 ETFs on the market today.
Here is the data from Stake. Remember, this data only shows volume of activity, so we don't know the split between purchases and sales.
However, we can assume that the fifth-ranked Betashares Crude Oil Index Currency Hedged Complex ETF (ASX: OOO) is buy-tilted.
ASX OOO has surged 47% in 30 days, and provides exposure to US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures (not the spot price).
We can also assume some profit-taking with ASX gold and silver ETFs, given the drop in gold and silver prices this month.
The gold price has fallen 18%, and silver has dropped 24% since the war in Iran began.
However, gold and silver remain 42% and 98% higher, respectively, over 12 months.
| Rank | ASX ETF |
| 1 | iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) |
| 2 | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) |
| 3 | Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) |
| 4 | Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) |
| 5 | Betashares Crude Oil Index Currency Hedged Complex ETF (ASX: OOO) |
| 6 | Global X Physical Gold ETF (ASX: GOLD) |
| 7 | Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF (ASX: DHHF) |
| 8 | Perth Mint Gold (ASX: PMGOLD) |
| 9 | Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) |
| 10 | Global X Physical Silver Structured (ASX: ETPMAG) |
Source: Stake
The post Which ASX ETFs have Aussies traded most since the Iran war began? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Global X Physical Precious Metals Basket - Global X Physical Silver, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and Zip Co. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, CSL, WiseTech Global, Xero, and iShares S&P 500 ETF and is short shares of BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, WiseTech Global, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF, and iShares S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 2026