Hanwha Asset Management's 'PLUS Global HBM Semiconductor' ETF recorded a 235.5% return in the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as the top-performing overseas equity ETF for the second consecutive period after achieving 168% in 2025. Semiconductor-themed ETFs monopolized all top five positions in the overseas equity ETF market (excluding leveraged and inverse products) during this period, according to fund data provider FnGuide. This dominance stems from these funds' concentrated exposure to global high-bandwidth memory (HBM) manufacturers and semiconductor value chain companies that resolved critical AI infrastructure bottlenecks. The market structure shifted significantly from 2025, when diversified themes including gold mining, nuclear power, and defense occupied top rankings alongside the HBM fund.
Hanwha's HBM ETF Records 235.5% Return in First Half
Hanwha Asset Management's 'PLUS Global HBM Semiconductor' ETF achieved 235.5% returns from the beginning of the year, securing first place in overseas equity ETF performance for the first half. The fund, listed in September 2022, exceeded 2 trillion won in assets under management (AUM), with 1.5 trillion won in inflows recorded during the year.
The ETF maintains a concentrated portfolio structure, allocating 84% of assets to four global memory giants: Micron Technology, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and SanDisk. Through portfolio rebalancing in May, the fund newly included SanDisk and expanded its investment scope to NAND flash and front-end process/testing equipment companies.
"Memory companies have recently announced large-scale capital expenditure plans, so it is necessary to pay attention to competitive semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment companies such as Lam Research and Applied Materials," said Kim Jung-seop, head of Hanwha Asset Management's ETF business division.
Semiconductor ETFs Occupy All Top Five Overseas Equity Rankings
The remaining top performers were also semiconductor value chain products. Samsung's 'KODEX Asia AI Semiconductor exChina Active' (178.5%) ranked second with an active strategy concentrating on regional supply chains in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan—areas with lower geopolitical risks amid US-China technology competition.
Shinhan's 'SOL Global AI Semiconductor Top Pick Active' (139.3%) ranked third by directly selecting and holding leading GPU and AI accelerator companies including Nvidia and Broadcom. Mirae Asset's 'TIGER China Semiconductor FACTSET' (121.4%) and KB Asset Management's 'RISE US Semiconductor NYSE' (116.5%) also secured top-five positions.
Market Structure Shifts from 2025's Diversified Themes
The composition changed compared to last year's structure, where various themes were distributed among top rankings. Excluding 'Global HBM Semiconductor,' risk-response theme products such as gold mining, nuclear power, and defense that filled top positions in 2025 all fell outside the top five in the first half of this year. Four semiconductor ETFs segmented by region and strategy—Asia, China, and US—newly filled those positions, with AI infrastructure investment as the single driving force reshaping the market.
Domestic Korean ETF Market Shows Similar Semiconductor Dominance
The domestic Korean equity ETF market also showed semiconductor dominance. NH Amundi Asset Management's 'HANARO Fn K-Semiconductor' captured first place in domestic equity returns with 287.3% performance since the beginning of the year. NH Amundi Asset Management defended the domestic throne in the first half after recording annual return leadership (178%) with 'HANARO Nuclear iSelect' last year, proving itself as a leader in preempting megatrend themes.
"Stock price increases of competitive materials, parts, and equipment companies, as well as Samsung Electro-Mechanics, which we included preemptively, drove returns," explained Kim Seung-cheol, head of NH Amundi Asset Management's ETF investment division.
FAQ
What return did Hanwha's HBM ETF achieve in the first half of 2026?
Hanwha Asset Management's 'PLUS Global HBM Semiconductor' ETF recorded a 235.5% return in the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as the top-performing overseas equity ETF. The fund exceeded 2 trillion won in assets under management, with 1.5 trillion won in inflows during the year.
Which companies does the Hanwha HBM ETF primarily invest in?
The ETF allocates 84% of assets to four global memory companies: Micron Technology, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and SanDisk. Through May rebalancing, it expanded investment scope to include NAND flash and front-end process/testing equipment firms.
How did the Korean domestic ETF market perform in the first half of 2026?
NH Amundi Asset Management's 'HANARO Fn K-Semiconductor' achieved 287.3% returns, ranking first among domestic Korean equity ETFs. The firm maintained leadership after its 'HANARO Nuclear iSelect' fund recorded 178% annual returns in 2025.
