Best ETFs to Watch in April 2025

ETFs can help investors diversify their portfolio through a single investment product

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks, and typically track an index, sector, commodity, or asset class. They offer investors diversification, as a single ETF can hold a broad mix of securities, reducing risk compared to investing in individual stocks. ETFs also tend to have lower expense ratios than actively managed mutual funds and provide liquidity, allowing investors to buy and sell shares throughout the trading day at market prices.

Key Takeaways

• Leading ETFs offer investors an opportunity to broadly diversify their holdings through a single investment with a low expense ratio and/or higher returns compared to competitors.
• We screened for the equity, bond, fixed income, commodities, and currency ETFs providing the highest one-month total returns for April 2025.
• These funds include SILJ, ISHG, SPSK, CPER, FXE

Below, we outline the top equity, bond, fixed income, commodities, and currency ETFs that generated the highest returns over the last month. We have excluded leveraged and inverse ETFs, as well as funds with less than $50 million in assets under management (AUM).

All data are current as of March 27, 2025.

Equity ETF with the Best 1-Month Return: Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ)

• One-month performance: 13.9%
• Expense Ratio: 0.65%
• Annual Dividend Yield: 5.8%
• 30-Day Average Daily Volume: 3,327,081
• Assets Under Management (AUM): $1.14 billion
• Inception Date: Nov. 28, 20212
• Issuer: Amplify Investments​

SILJ is the first and only ETF focused on small-cap silver miners, offering targeted exposure to a unique segment of the precious metals market. As of March 27, its top holding was shares of First Majestic Silver Corp (AG). Silver, much like gold, has rallied in 2025 as investors chase safe-haven
assets in the face of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

Bond ETF with the Best 1-Month Return: iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF (ISHG)

• One-month performance: 1.6%    
• Expense Ratio: 0.35%
• Annual Dividend Yield: 2.46%
• 30-Day Average Daily Volume: 22,052
• AUM: $87.8 million
• Inception Date: Jan. 21, 2009
• Issuer: BlackRock, Inc.

The iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF provides exposure to short-term government bonds from developed markets outside the U.S., focusing on maturities between one and three years. The ETF has rallied over the past month as central banks look to cut interest rates (which drives up short-term bond prices) due to slowing economic growth.

Fixed Income ETF with the Best 1-Month Return: SP Funds Dow Jones Global Sukuk ETF (SPSK)

• One-month performance: 0.89%
• Expense Ratio: 0.5%
• Annual Dividend Yield: 3.5%
• 30-Day Average Daily Volume: 148,710
• AUM: $293.9 million
• Inception Date: Dec. 30, 2019
• Issuer: Tidal Financial Group

SPSK is a Sharia-compliant ETF that provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of asset-backed sukuk. A sukuk is a Sharia-compliant financial instrument similar to a bond, but instead of paying
interest (which is prohibited in Islam), it gives investors partial ownership of an underlying asset and pays returns from that asset’s profits.

Commodities ETF with the best 1-Month Return: United States Copper Index Fund (CPER)

• One-month performance: 15.5% 
• Expense Ratio: 0.97% 
• Annual Dividend Yield: N/A
• 30-Day Average Daily Volume: 145,575 
• AUM: $205.3 million 
• Inception Date: Nov. 15, 2011
• Issuer: Marygold

The United States Copper Index Fund (CPER) is an ETF designed to track the daily performance of the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return, which invests in copper futures contracts. Copper prices have soared in recent days as the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and its trading partners threatens to disrupt supplies of the vital metal, while fiscal stimulus in China is expected to drive copper demand.

Currency ETF with the Best 1-Month Return: Invesco Currency Shares Euro Trust (FXE)

• One-month performance: 2.36% 
• Expense Ratio: 0.40% 
• Annual Dividend Yield: 2.12%
• 30-Day Average Daily Volume: 117,795
• AUM: $224.4 million
• Inception Date: Dec. 9, 2005
• Issuer: Invesco

The Invesco Currency Shares Euro Trust is an ETF designed to track the price of the euro through physical euro holdings. The euro is the currency of 19 European Union countries.

How We Chose the Best ETFs

We selected the best ETFs across five areas of focus—equities, bonds, fixed-income, commodities, and currencies—utilizing a screener by VettaFi. In each case, we sorted ETFs according to the specified category and ranked them by highest one-month returns. We then filtered out any ETFs that employ a leveraged or inverse strategy, as well as any with less than $50 million in assets under management. Finally, for currencies ETFs, we excluded any funds focused on cryptocurrencies from our screen.

How to Invest in ETFs

To invest in ETFs, start by researching and selecting an ETF that aligns with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy—whether it tracks a broad market index, a specific sector, or a commodity. Open a brokerage account with a platform that offers ETF trading, then place an order
just like you would for a stock. Consider factors such as expense ratios, liquidity, and tracking accuracy to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. Depending on your time horizon and risk tolerance, ETFs typically require minimal maintenance and are often considered long-term, buy-and-hold investments.

The Bottom Line

ETFs are versatile and cost-effective investment options that provide diversification, liquidity, and tax efficiency, making them ideal for both new and experienced investors. With minimal maintenance required, they offer a simple way to gain exposure to broad markets or specific sectors while managing risk.

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As of the date this article was written, the author does not own any of the above ETFs.