| Cybersecurity, tech ETFs strongest performers in MayBY RIDDHIMA TALWANI | FRIDAY, 12 JUN 2026 12:50PMETF performance in May was dominated by cybersecurity and broader technology themes, with the sector delivering exceptional returns across multiple strategies. While the Global X Cybersecurity ETF returned 36.5% for investors, Betashares Global Cybersecurity ETF provided a return of 31.75%. South Korea retained its place from the prior month, continuing to reflect strong investor interest in the region's technology-heavy market. iShares MSCI South Korea Capped Index ETF returned investors 31.6% for the month. Asian technology exposure also featured, reinforcing a broader theme of outperformance across innovation-driven, high-growth equities. ETF flows in May were broadly in line with April at $5.3 billion. Australian equities claimed the top spot for the month at $2.24 billion, narrowly ahead of international equities at $2.18 billion. Cash & fixed income fell sharply to $494 million from $1.1 billion in April. Short exposures swung back into negative territory, and commodities returned to positive flows after April's outflow. "Global equity markets extended their rally through May. S&P 500 companies reported 27% year-on-year earnings growth in Q1 2026, more than double consensus, driven by the hyperscaler capex cycle," Betashares investment strategist Tom Wickenden said. "Emerging markets were a standout, the MSCI EM index rose 9.7% as investors rotated into Asian chip manufacturers as a higher-beta, cheaper alternative to US mega-cap tech. Korea and Taiwan were the principal beneficiaries. Asian technology and broad emerging market ETFs capture this exposure on the ASX." The Australian ETF industry set a new record, reaching $364 billion in funds under management after a third consecutive month of net flows above $5 billion. Strong inflows, combined with positive global market performance, pushed the industry above $350 billion for the first time. "Domestically, the 12 May federal budget was the