What's the best European ETF in 2025?

Despite the recent turmoil, some index funds are doing well in Europe. There's no need to go for bonds, as some equity market segments have posted solid performances since January 1.

The best-performing equity ETF since the start of 2025, excluding products tracking gold miners, is the Amundi EURO STOXX Banks, which offers exposure to Eurozone banking institutions. With a gain of 16% since January 1 and relatively modest fees of 0.3%, this physically replicated, liquid (€1.5bn in assets) and capitalizing product has surfed on the rise of the European financial sector. However, it is only available to those located in Europe.

Its ten main lines are Banco Santander, BNP Paribas, Unicredit, BBVA, Intesa, ING Groep, Deutsche Bank, Nordea, Société Générale et Commerzbank, which together account for almost 75% of the total.

European banks have outperformed since December

For the curious, the star ETF of the start of the year is the VanEck Gold Miner UCITS, which is posting almost 37% gains in 2025 (0.53% fees, EUR 1.6 bn in assets, capitalizing, physical replication). The secret? Exposure to gold mines such as Agnico Eagle Mines, Newmont, Wheaton Precious Metals, Barrick Gold ou Franco-Nevada. Available in America, the iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF has posted a 1Y total return of 32.18%. With an inception in January 2010, the fund has net assets of just over $2.8bn at present.