FP_080117_cover
To take stock of the equity markets' winners, we cast a wide net across industries and cap size. Any mutual fund or ETF that had at least $500 million in assets was considered. Of those funds, here we list those with the 20 highest three-year annualized returns.

The average three-year return on the list is 19%, compared to 11% for the S&P 500. The average one-year gain was 16.4%, compared to 11.6% for the S&P benchmark. Not surprisingly, there wasn’t a lot of diversification among the top funds as technology dominated the gains in recent years. As always, we included expense ratios for each fund, which ranged from about a third of percentage point to 1.5%. The average was 76 basis points.

Scroll through to see the top funds in the past three years. All data from Morningstar.
FP_080117_20

20. Janus Henderson Global Technology D (JNGTX)

1-Yr. Returns: 34.42%
3-Yr. Returns: 17.34%
Expense Ratio: 0.88%
Total Assets (millions): $1,933
FP_080117_19

19. iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)

1-Yr. Returns: 29.79%
3-Yr. Returns: 17.49%
Expense Ratio: 0.44%
Total Assets (millions): $3,478
FP_080117_18

18. Fidelity Select Medical Equip & Systems (FSMEX)

1-Yr. Returns: 14.45%
3-Yr. Returns: 17.98%
Expense Ratio: 0.76%
Total Assets (millions): $4,052
FP_080117_17

17. iShares US Medical Devices ETF (IHI)

1-Yr. Returns: 16.42%
3-Yr. Returns: 18.12%
Expense Ratio: 0.44%
Total Assets (millions): $1,629
FP_080117_16

16. First Trust NASDAQ-100-Tech Sector ETF (QTEC)

1-Yr. Returns: 38.23%
3-Yr. Returns: 18.42%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Total Assets (millions): $2,040
FP_080117_15

15. Fidelity Select Technology (FSPTX)

1-Yr. Returns: 41.54%
3-Yr. Returns: 18.51%
Expense Ratio: 0.76%
Total Assets (millions): $5,415
FP_080117_14

14. Virtus KAR Small-Cap Growth (PSGAX)

1-Yr. Returns: 30.00%
3-Yr. Returns: 18.60%
Expense Ratio: 1.50%
Total Assets (millions): $1,131
FP_080117_13

13. Oppenheimer Global Opportunities (OGIYX)

1-Yr. Returns: 36.74%
3-Yr. Returns: 18.89%
Expense Ratio: 0.94%
Total Assets (millions): $5,612
FP_080117_12

12. iShares North American Tech-Software ETF (IGV)

1-Yr. Returns: 29.25%
3-Yr. Returns: 19.03%
Expense Ratio: 0.48%
Total Assets (millions): $1,105
FP_080117_11

11. First Trust Dow Jones Internet ETF (FDN)

1-Yr. Returns: 29.54%
3-Yr. Returns: 19.07%
Expense Ratio: 0.54%
Total Assets (millions): $4,605
FP_080117_10

10. SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI)

1-Yr. Returns: 30.46%
3-Yr. Returns: 19.08%
Expense Ratio: 0.35%
Total Assets (millions): $3,913
FP_080117_09

9. Columbia Global Technology Growth (CMTFX)

1-Yr. Returns: 35.74%
3-Yr. Returns: 19.54%
Expense Ratio: 1.11%
Total Assets (millions): $785
FP_080117_08

8. PowerShares S&P SmallCap Info Tech ETF (PSCT)

1-Yr. Returns: 29.99%
3-Yr. Returns: 19.92%
Expense Ratio: 0.29%
Total Assets (millions): $547
FP_080117_07

7. Columbia Seligman Comms & Info R4 (SCIOX)

1-Yr. Returns: 33.78%
3-Yr. Returns: 20.00%
Expense Ratio: 1.03%
Total Assets (millions): $5,535
FP_080117_06

6. Fidelity Select Semiconductors (FSELX)

1-Yr. Returns: 31.89%
3-Yr. Returns: 20.40%
Expense Ratio: 0.75%
Total Assets (millions): $3,053
FP_080117_05

5. Columbia Seligman Global Technology (CSGZX)

1-Yr. Returns: 34.44%
3-Yr. Returns: 20.61%
Expense Ratio: 1.15%
Total Assets (millions): $1,060
FP_080117_04

4. RMB Mendon Financial Services (RMBKX)

1-Yr. Returns: 34.16%
3-Yr. Returns: 20.66%
Expense Ratio: 1.42%
Total Assets (millions): $575
FP_080117_03

3. VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH)

1-Yr. Returns: 36.55%
3-Yr. Returns: 22.37%
Expense Ratio: 0.35%
Total Assets (millions): $762
FP_080117_02

2. iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXX)

1-Yr. Returns: 43.47%
3-Yr. Returns: 22.64%
Expense Ratio: 0.48%
Total Assets (millions): $1,081
FP_080117_01

1. T. Rowe Price Global Technology( PRGTX)

1-Yr. Returns: 36.48%
3-Yr. Returns: 23.39%
Expense Ratio: 0.90%
Total Assets (millions): $4,966

MORE FROM FINANCIAL PLANNING

In a recent industry snapshot, the Investment Adviser Association found the average number of data points advisors have to report in annual regulatory filings has nearly doubled to more than 1,000 since 2011.

11h ago
5 Min Read

A technicality in the federal law enacted in July 2025 changed how deductions work for estates and trusts, creating uncertainty over how taxes are allocated after a person's death.

June 8
2 Min Read

Advisor Growth Solutions founder Jeffrey Czajka created a new professional community for early-career advisors at a low price point by the field's standards.

June 8
4 Min Read
Jeffrey Czajka is the founder of Advisor Growth Solutions.

New research from the TIAA Institute finds financial literacy slipping further, with investors across generations struggling to with risk comprehension.

June 5
3 Min Read
Adobe Clipboard

A study released by Ficomm Partners and Absolute Engagement found that nearly 9% of high net worth investors turned to AI over a human for referrals. This shift in referral inquiries offers advisors an opportunity to deepen digital presences.

June 5
3 Min Read
Russell - O'Connell headshots.png

Median total compensation for certified financial planners climbed to $195,000 last year. But pay varied widely, depending on factors like experience and type of firm worked at.

June 5
3 Min Read