Is F100 a good ETF?
F100 is the BetaShares FTSE 100 ETF from BetaShares. It tracks the FTSE 100 Index. We classify it under Intl and Large-Cap. With about $427 million in assets it is a solidly established fund. Listed on the ASX since 2015-10-08 (about 11 years ago).
On a total-return basis, F100 has delivered 12.28% a year over 5 years (ranked 32nd of 189 ETFs we track), 15.38% a year over 3 years (ranked 79th of 236 ETFs we track), and 9.49% a year over 1 year (ranked 108th of 318 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 5 years, where it sits in the top 17% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.45% is on the higher side. That's cheaper than the typical 0.49% for similar ETFs. If cost is your priority, ESTX (0.35%) and VEQ (0.35%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a moderate 3.44% yield.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been moderate (annualised standard deviation around 9.6%), meaning the kind of swings you'd expect from a diversified equity fund. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.91 is reasonable — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Portfolio turnover is very low at about 5% a year — the portfolio barely changes from year to year, much like a classic buy-and-hold index fund. Very little of its return is lost to trading or to capital gains being realised early, making it highly tax-efficient.
Strengths
- Top-17% returns over 5 years (32nd of 189 ETFs we track).
Things to watch
- Cheaper alternatives exist: ESTX and VEQ.
What F100'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.
The biggest, most established companies. More stable earnings, lower volatility and often steadier dividends than the broad market.
- Market regime
- Holds up comparatively well in downturns and uncertain markets; tends to lag small-caps and growth during the most aggressive bull runs.
- In a portfolio
- A dependable core building block suited to long-term 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.