Investors in Estonia have access to a wide range of European UCITS ETFs through local and international brokers. Recent performance has been particularly strong in technology, semiconductor, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and some broad U.S. and global equity markets. The strongest recent performers are not necessarily the best long-term choices, so investors should compare performance with cost and risk.
ETFs That Have Shown Strong Recent Performance
Some ETF categories available to Estonian investors have performed strongly in 2026:
- Semiconductor ETFs – chip manufacturers and semiconductor companies have been among the stronger performers. In Estonia's LHV ETF selection, the semiconductor-focused SEC0 nearly doubled during the second quarter of 2026.
- Cybersecurity ETFs – cybersecurity-focused funds also recorded strong gains, supported by continued demand for security technology.
- Artificial intelligence and technology ETFs – AI, big data, and technology-focused funds have benefited from renewed interest in technology companies.
- Robotics ETFs – automation and robotics companies have also performed strongly during periods when growth stocks gained.
- U.S. large-cap ETFs – broad S&P 500 ETFs have continued to provide exposure to major U.S. companies and have been an important part of many portfolios.
- Global equity ETFs – broad global funds provide exposure across countries and sectors rather than depending on one specific industry.
The strong performance of semiconductor and technology funds shows how a particular sector can outperform when the underlying companies experience strong demand. However, sector-specific funds can also fall sharply when market conditions change.
Markets and Sectors Driving Performance
Technology-related areas have been an important driver of recent ETF performance. Semiconductor companies have benefited from demand related to computing, AI infrastructure, and advanced electronics.
Cybersecurity, robotics, and AI-related companies have also attracted investor interest.
Broad-market ETFs are different because their performance comes from many companies and sectors. For example, a global ETF can include technology, financial services, healthcare, industrial companies, consumer businesses, and other sectors.
Comparing Recent Returns
Recent returns should be only one part of the comparison.
Investors should check:
- 1-year performance: Shows recent results but can be heavily affected by current market conditions.
- 3-year and 5-year performance: Gives a better view of how the ETF performed across different market periods.
- Long-term consistency: Check whether strong returns came from steady growth or one unusually strong period.
- Benchmark: Compare the ETF with the index it is designed to track.
A fund that recently gained more than another fund may also carry considerably more risk.
Comparing Fees
Fees directly reduce investment returns over time.
For example, some broad ETFs available to Estonian investors have very low ongoing charges. Amundi Prime Global is listed with a 0.05% charge, while some specialized technology or thematic ETFs have considerably higher costs.
Investors should therefore compare the total ongoing cost, not just the recent return.
Diversification
Diversification is another major difference.
A semiconductor ETF may hold companies concentrated in one industry. A cybersecurity ETF is even more focused on a specific theme.
A global ETF, on the other hand, can spread investments across many countries, industries, and companies.
More diversification can reduce dependence on the performance of one sector or market, although it does not eliminate investment risk.
Risk
Investors should look at how much an ETF's price moves up and down.
Important factors include:
- Market volatility
- Sector concentration
- Geographic exposure
- Currency exposure
- Number of holdings
- Large-company concentration
- Emerging-market exposure
- Maximum historical declines
A high recent return combined with high volatility can produce a very different investment experience from a slower but more diversified ETF.
Conclusion
For investors in Estonia, semiconductor, cybersecurity, AI, robotics, technology, U.S. equity, and broad global ETFs have all offered different opportunities, with technology-related funds among the stronger recent performers. But recent performance alone should not determine the choice. Investors should compare 1-, 3-, and 5-year results, fees, diversification, volatility, sector and geographic concentration, and the ETF's long-term objective before deciding which fund fits their needs.