{"id":9446,"date":"2025-04-25T18:03:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T12:33:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appreciatewealth.com\/blog\/?p=9446"},"modified":"2026-01-09T17:15:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T11:45:40","slug":"global-etfs-to-watch-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appreciatewealth.com\/blog\/global-etfs-to-watch-in-2025","title":{"rendered":"Global ETFs to Watch in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The US stock market has had a rocky start to 20266.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After reaching all-time highs in early January, investor optimism quickly faded. The S&P 500<\/strong> is now down almost 8.5%<\/strong> YTD. For many, this drop has come as a surprise, especially after a strong finish to 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no single reason behind the downturn, but rising trade tensions, inflation worries, and policy uncertainty have shaken investor confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s interesting, though, is that some global markets, particularly Europe and China, are performing much better. This can be seen through the performance of country-specific ETFs, which track the stock markets of individual countries. These ETFs\u2014such as those from Germany, Spain, or China\u2014are available for investment on platforms like Appreciate<\/strong><\/a>. They are US-listed ETFs that provide exposure to markets outside the US, offering a simple way to diversify and take advantage of global opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, we\u2019ll break down what\u2019s happening with the US market, why international markets are performing better, and how you can access these opportunities through global ETFs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weak Start of US Markets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The S&P 500<\/strong> posted strong back-to-back returns of over 20% in 2023 and 2024, marking a period of robust economic growth. Following Donald Trump\u2019s re-election in November 2024, the market saw an initial rally, with the Dow Jones<\/strong> gaining 1,500 points in a day, fueled by optimism around tax cuts and deregulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the market\u2019s positive momentum faded in early 2025. After hitting all-time highs in January and February, the S&P 500<\/strong> dropped sharply in April, with a 5% decline on April 2, followed by another 6% drop, wiping out over $2 trillion in market value. This was largely due to fears around tariffs, as Trump imposed new duties, including 10% on imports and 34% on Chinese goods, leading to retaliation from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 90-day tariff pause on April 8 provided temporary relief, with a 10% rebound, but the market remains volatile, heavily influenced by trade and economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Europe and China Are Leading the Charge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the US stock market has struggled in 2025, Europe and China<\/strong> have shown strong growth, especially since late 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europe\u2019s Strong Performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting in late 2024, European markets began to recover, helped by economic stimulus, political stability, and a bounce-back in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and energy. As trade tensions remained more stable in Europe compared to the US, investor confidence grew, and the positive trend continued into 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This growth can be seen in the performance of the iShares MSCI Eurozone <\/strong> (EZU) ETF<\/strong>, which tracks the Eurozone. As of April 23, 2025, EZU<\/strong> is up more than 16.4% YTD<\/strong>, reflecting the strong recovery in European markets, driven by solid economic support and fewer trade disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China\u2019s Resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

China also showed impressive growth starting in late 2024, driven by government policies like monetary easing and fiscal measures, along with a shift towards stronger regional trade in Asia. With less reliance on the US, China\u2019s economy remained resilient, especially in sectors like tech, green energy, and consumer goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This growth is reflected in the iShares China Large-Cap (FXI) ETF<\/strong>, which tracks large-cap Chinese stocks. As of April 23, 2025, FXI<\/strong> is up more than 13% YTD<\/strong>, highlighting the strength of China\u2019s market despite ongoing trade challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other International Markets Outperforming the US<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apart from Europe and China, many emerging markets are also performing well in 2025, showcasing the growing interest in global diversification. Beyond traditional markets, investors are also evaluating digital assets, asking is cryptocurrency a good investment<\/a> in 2025, especially with Bitcoin ETFs gaining regulatory approval and institutional adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emerging Markets Gaining Momentum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since late 2024, emerging markets like Mexico<\/strong>, Chile<\/strong>, and South Africa<\/strong> have seen impressive growth, driven by favorable domestic policies and economic recovery. These markets, along with others across the globe, are benefiting from more stable conditions and less exposure to the volatility of US-China trade tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the returns of some key markets as of April 23, 2025:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

iShares MSCI Poland ETF (EPOL)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n