Is ACDC a good ETF?
ACDC is the Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF from Global X. It tracks the Solactive Battery Value-Chain Index. We classify it under Intl and Thematic. With about $607 million in assets it is a solidly established fund. Listed on the ASX since 2018-08-27 (about 8 years ago).
On a total-return basis, ACDC has delivered 11.11% a year over 5 years (ranked 43rd of 188 ETFs we track), 13.81% a year over 3 years (ranked 75th of 226 ETFs we track), and 40.61% a year over 1 year (ranked 19th of 308 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 1 year, where it sits in the top 6% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.69% is on the higher side. For comparison, similar ETFs average around 0.46%. If cost is your priority, CPPR (0.39%), SEMI (0.45%), and WIRE (0.65%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a high 13.29% yield — generous income, but check it isn't a sign of a narrow or higher-risk portfolio. Bear in mind distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate, so a high yield is less tax-efficient for higher earners and during the accumulation phase.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been elevated (annualised standard deviation around 21.29%), meaning noticeably larger swings than the broad market. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.45 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Portfolio turnover is moderate at about 35% a year — a fair chunk of the portfolio is bought and sold each year, so expect a little more in the way of realised capital gains and trading costs than a plain index fund.
Strengths
- Top-6% returns over 1 year (19th of 308 ETFs we track).
- High 13.29% income yield — good for investors who want regular cash flow.
Things to watch
- Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.46%.
- Cheaper alternatives exist: CPPR, SEMI, and WIRE.
- That income is taxed yearly at your marginal rate, so it's less efficient for higher earners.
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (5-year Sharpe ratio 0.45).
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
What ACDC's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.