Is USD a good ETF?
USD is the BetaShares U.S. Dollar ETF from BetaShares. We classify it under Thematic. With about $51 million in assets it is a relatively small fund (worth checking spreads and liquidity before buying).
On a total-return basis, USD has delivered 2.69% a year over 10 years (ranked 89th of 108 ETFs we track), 4.18% a year over 5 years (ranked 127th of 188 ETFs we track), 2.83% a year over 3 years (ranked 211th of 226 ETFs we track), and -5.16% a year over 1 year (ranked 281st of 308 ETFs we track). It has trailed most comparable ETFs over the periods we measure, so look closely at whether its strategy fits what you're after.
The management fee of 0.45% is on the higher side. That's cheaper than the typical 0.46% for similar ETFs. It pays a low 0% yield, so most of its return must come from capital growth.
Over the past 10 years its volatility has been moderate (annualised standard deviation around 9.88%), meaning the kind of swings you'd expect from a diversified equity fund. Its 10-year Sharpe ratio of 0.1 is weak — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Things to watch
- Has lagged most peers over 3 years (211th of 226).
- Weak risk-adjusted returns (10-year Sharpe ratio 0.1).
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
Good to know
- Low 0% yield — this is a growth-oriented fund, not an income play.
What USD's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
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.