Not all country-specific ETFs have thrived this year. The largest Brazil and China ETFs have shed over $5.8 billion in assets combined, though data suggest cash is returning to China ETFs. [November Reign for China ETFs]
Interestingly, advisors have glossed over what turned out to be many of this year’s best single-country ETFs. The aforementioned Japan ETFs are exceptions, but some of the best Europe ETFs can still be considered small.
As of Dec. 1, the First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (NYSEArca: FSZ) was this year’s best Switzerland ETF with a gain of almost 26%, but also with less than $26 million in AUM. The iShares MSCI United Kingdom Small-Cap ETF (NYSEArca: EWUS) had just $22 million in assets despite being up nearly 31% and two single-country ETFs for Denmark and Finland have posted gains in excess of 30%, but have less than $35 million in AUM combined. [10 Best Europe Country ETFs of 2013]
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund
Tom Lydon’s clients own shares of EFA and DXJ.