Who knew Egypt would be the best ETF as the third quarter draws to a close?
With the fourth quarter set to start next week, it's a good time to review the top-performing equity ETFs so far this year.
At the top of the list is the Market Vectors Egypt ETF (NYSEArca: EGPT) which returned 66 percent year-to-date through Sept. 27.
| Ticker | Name | Inception Date | Segment | AUM ($) | Total Return Year-To-Date % | Expense Ratio (bps) |
| EGPT | Market Vectors Egypt | 2/18/2010 | Equity: Egypt - Total Market | 58,319,610.21 | 66 | 94 |
| ITB | iShares Dow Jones U.S. HomeConstruction | 5/1/2006 | Equity: U.S. Homebuilding | 1,364,307,617.28 | 63 | 47 |
| BBH | Market Vectors Biotech | 12/21/2011 | Equity: Global Biotech | 130,576,913.97 | 47 | 35 |
| XHB | SPDR S&P Homebuilders | 1/31/2006 | Equity: U.S. Homebuilding | 1,941,446,170.20 | 45 | 35 |
| FBT | First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology | 6/23/2006 | Equity: U.S. Biotech | 255,369,432.61 | 41 | 60 |
| TUR | iShares MSCI TurkeyInvestable Market | 3/26/2008 | Equity: Turkey - Total Market | 586,335,387.04 | 40 | 59 |
| XBI | SPDR S&P Biotech | 1/31/2006 | Equity: U.S. Biotech | 683,801,935.80 | 39 | 35 |
| TAO | Guggenheim China Real Estate | 12/18/2007 | Equity: China Real Estate | 25,929,047.46 | 35 | 70 |
| IBB | iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology | 2/5/2001 | Equity: U.S. Biotech | 2,378,060,232.66 | 35 | 48 |
| IFAS | iShares FTSE EPRA/NAREITDeveloped Asia | 11/12/2007 | Equity: Developed AsiaPacific Real Estate | 28,222,947.90 | 32 | 48 |
Admittedly, EGPT's ride hasn't been a smooth one. In February, Egypt's credit rating was downgraded by Standard & Poor's, which cited a plunge in foreign reserves and continued instability as the reasons.
Still, Egyptian stocks have rebounded, with the prospects of foreign aid packages as well as the return of tourism. Those two variables are crucial, because Egypt can do well if it's not starved of foreign investment and tourism.
Earlier this month, Qatari officials pledged to invest $18 billion in tourism and industry along Egypt's Mediterranean coastline. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has cobbled together a $1 billion aid package and is openly supporting the $4.8 billion loan being negotiated between Egypt and the International Monetary Fund.
Despite its amazing performance in the past few months, EGPT isn't very popular, judging from its $58 million in assets. This can perhaps be explained by the fact that the fund isn't particularly liquid or cheap.
The only other country-specific ETF to make our top 10 list is the iShares MSCI Turkey IM Index Fund (NYSEArca: TUR). At No. 6, it has returned 40 percent since the beginning of the year. The fund itself is cheap and liquid. Its concentrated portfolio offers heavy exposure to Turkish financial stocks.
Despite its proximity to Europe, Turkey has done well during the eurozone meltdown. George Friedman, the geopolitical consultant and founder of Stratfor, has been championing Turkey for many years, calling it "an island of stability in a region of chaos."
Homebuilders
Before EGPT knocked it down from the top spot, the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index Fund (NYSEArca: ITB) was the best-performing fund in the first half of 2012. ITB returned 63 percent year-to-date, while the SPDR S&P Homebuilders (NYSEArca: XHB), No. 4 on the list, jumped 45 percent.
Both funds have benefited from rising homes prices in recent months. ITB offers more exposure to homebuilders, at 65 percent of its portfolio vs. XHB's 30 percent, with the remainder of ITB is scattered among various subindustries such as home improvement and construction supplies.
XHB meanwhile has a strong focus on home furnishings—companies such as Pier 1 Imports and Williams Sonoma grace its top 10 holdings.
Although homebuilders have had a good run so far, advisors like Rick Vollaro of Pinnacle Advisory Group believe this industry has even more upside potential.
