The exchange-traded fund (ETF) Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) allows Australian investors easy access and exposure to the biggest companies listed on the US-based NASDAQ stock exchange.

The ETF seeks to track the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) before fees. This index represents the 100 largest stocks on the NASDAQ by market capitalisation.

When people think of the NASDAQ 100, they think US tech shares. That's fair enough, particularly given the dominant presence of the Magnificent Seven — six of which are mega US tech stocks.

But in reality, only about half (49.7%) of the NASDAQ 100 is tech stocks. The rest are communications shares (16.4%), consumer discretionary (13.4%), consumer staples (5.9%), health care (5.9%), and others.

Over the past 12 months, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has risen by an impressive 30.19%. The NDQ ETF was trading at $47.68 per unit on Thursday, down 0.68% for the day.

So, which stocks have contributed most to another year of exceptional capital gains for the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)?

12 stocks pumping up the NDQ ETF

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA)

Shares in chip maker Nvidia have ripped 180.6% higher to US$135.34 over the past year.

It's no surprise that Nvidia is the fastest-growing stock within the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF.

Arm Holdings PLC-ADR (NASDAQ: ARM)

The Arm Holdings share price has shot 118.6% higher to US$133.37 over the past year.

Arm is a British semiconductor and software design company based in England.

Constellation Energy Corp (NASDAQ: CEG)

Stock in Constellation Energy has risen 102.6% to US$253.39 over the past 12 months.

Constellation is one of the largest energy suppliers in the United States.

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX)

Shares in streaming company Netflix have also contributed strongly to the growth of the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF over the past year.

Netflix shares are up 83.1% to US$877.34.

Fortinet Inc (NASDAQ: FTNT)

Stock in cybersecurity services provider, Fortinet has risen 75% to US$94.06 per share.

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG)

The Intuitive Surgical share price is up 71% to US$535.55 per share.

Intuitive Surgical is a US biotech that develops and manufacturers clinical and surgical robotics.

Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META)

Stock in social media empire Meta has risen 70.1% to US$569.20 per share over the past 12 months.

Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO)

Shares in Broadcom have ascended 68% to US$159.67 over the past year.

Broadcom is a US developer and manufacturer of semiconductor and infrastructure software products.

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG)

Stock in Booking Holdings has lifted 66.8% to US$5,223.15 per share.

Booking is a US travel technology company and one of the priciest stocks, in dollar terms, within the NDQ ETF.

Crowdstrike Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: CRWD)

Stock in US cybersecurity company, Crowdstrike has risen by 65.5% to US$347.59 over the year.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ: COST)

The CostCo share price has ascended 61.6% to US$961.55 over the past year.

CostCo is a membership warehouse retailer that sells goods at wholesale prices.

Marvell Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MRVL)

Stock in Marvell Technology has risen 61.2% to US$90.10 per share over the past 12 months.

Marvell is a US semiconductor developer.

Price history snapshot: Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF

The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF has risen by 125.4% over the past five years.

This compares to a 23.7% increase in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).