Weekly Channel Summary
The thematic ETF landscape currently encompasses 397 ETFs managed by 100 different brands, representing a total of $281 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). Activity remained robust this past week, with the channel attracting $2.76 billion in net inflows. This positive momentum contributes to a substantial Year-to-Date (YTD) inflow total of $49.74 billion, nearly identical to the $49.23 billion gathered over the trailing one-year period. Despite broader market volatility, thematic strategies continue to capture significant investor interest, particularly in multi-sector innovation and infrastructure categories.
This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards
Performance was highly bifurcated across thematic categories this week. The Precious Metals category led the pack with a solid 3.02% return, followed by Natural Resources at 0.56%. Conversely, the Evolving Consumer category faced significant headwinds, lagging with a -2.64% return for the week. While Precious Metals has shown exceptional short-term strength, it is important to note its staggering 171.93% YTD return, while lagging categories like FinTech (-2.39% WTD) still maintain a positive 20.53% return for the year.
Category Performance Snapshot
| Category | WTD | 1 Month | 3 Month | 6 Month | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precious Metals | 3.02% | 19.62% | 30.36% | 73.86% | 171.93% | 170.48% |
| Natural Resources | 0.56% | 6.21% | 11.20% | 30.16% | 42.48% | 43.06% |
| Thematic – Multi-Sector | 0.06% | 4.09% | 0.71% | 16.75% | 22.29% | 22.11% |
| Sustainability | 0.05% | 3.13% | 7.63% | 29.35% | 35.30% | 37.20% |
| Industrial Revolution | -0.08% | 6.49% | 2.82% | 21.65% | 29.72% | 30.78% |
| Health Innovation | -0.40% | 5.26% | 20.73% | 34.31% | 29.46% | 29.45% |
| Disruptive Tech | -0.44% | 2.43% | -2.08% | 14.20% | 22.09% | 21.34% |
| Infrastructure | -0.78% | 2.32% | 2.32% | 12.14% | 20.95% | 21.94% |
| Alternative Equity | -1.45% | 6.05% | -5.02% | 0.31% | -2.43% | -0.06% |
| Midstream & MLPs | -1.61% | -0.70% | 0.16% | 0.94% | 5.58% | 8.82% |
| FinTech | -2.39% | 2.78% | -12.76% | 14.74% | 20.53% | 15.74% |
| Evolving Consumer | -2.64% | 11.47% | -3.63% | 22.91% | 18.72% | 19.58% |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance
Individual ETF performance was highlighted by the ZSB (USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund), which delivered a channel-leading 4.53% return. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the cannabis space saw a major pullback, with WEED (Roundhill Cannabis ETF) and MSOS (AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF) falling -16.12% and -14.82%, respectively.
| Ticker | Fund Name | WTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Performers | ||
| ZSB | USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund | 4.53% |
| SLVP | iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF | 4.53% |
| NIKL | Sprott Nickel Miners ETF | 4.52% |
| SGDJ | Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF | 3.98% |
| COPP | Sprott Copper Miners ETF | 3.59% |
| Bottom Performers | ||
| WEED | Roundhill Cannabis ETF | -16.12% |
| MSOS | AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF | -14.82% |
| CNBS | Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF | -13.44% |
| MJ | Amplify Alternative Harvest ETF | -11.05% |
| YOLO | AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF | -9.61% |
Analyzing the Weekly Flows
Total net flows for the channel reached $2.76 billion this week. The Thematic Multi-Sector category was the primary driver of these gains, attracting $1,175 million in new capital, bringing its total AUM to $26.8 billion. Infrastructure also saw significant investor interest with $612 million in inflows. On the sell side, Health Innovation experienced the largest outflows of the week, losing $53 million in net capital.
Category Flows Summary
| Category | Fund Count | AUM | 5 Day | 30 Day | 90 Day | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Multi-Sector | 40 | $26.8B | $1,175M | $1,905M | $1,708M | $8,106M | $7,596M |
| Infrastructure | 41 | $41.0B | $612M | $1,594M | $4,196M | $9,686M | $9,824M |
| Precious Metals | 14 | $49.3B | $410M | $853M | $2,555M | ($629M) | ($642M) |
| Natural Resources | 55 | $41.9B | $240M | $1,592M | $4,339M | $4,510M | $4,233M |
| Alternative Equity | 10 | $2.5B | $119M | $119M | $215M | $816M | $873M |
| Disruptive Tech | 62 | $53.0B | $89M | $1,678M | $7,474M | $20,345M | $20,797M |
| Industrial Revolution | 35 | $15.2B | $79M | $138M | $1,707M | $5,098M | $5,044M |
| FinTech | 24 | $5.0B | $71M | $164M | ($57M) | $441M | $418M |
| Sustainability | 27 | $6.4B | $46M | $134M | $824M | $352M | $246M |
| Midstream & MLPs | 16 | $21.3B | $0M | $261M | $309M | $1,752M | $1,821M |
| Evolving Consumer | 45 | $16.1B | ($27M) | $99M | ($1,275M) | ($679M) | ($945M) |
| Health Innovation | 23 | $2.2B | ($53M) | $49M | $47M | ($66M) | ($35M) |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow
Flow activity was concentrated in a few major products this week. The XOVR (ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF) dominated the inflows with $804 million. Conversely, the ARKK (ARK Innovation ETF) and FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund) saw the most significant outflows, shedding $315 million and $174 million, respectively.
| Ticker | Fund Name | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Inflows | ||
| XOVR | ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF | $804M |
| KOMP | State Street SPDR S&P Kensho New Economies Composite ETF | $493M |
| GDX | VanEck Gold Miners ETF | $313M |
| IFRA | iShares U.S. Infrastructure ETF | $129M |
| IGF | iShares Global Infrastructure ETF | $122M |
| Outflows | ||
| ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | ($315M) |
| FDN | First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund | ($174M) |
| MAGS | Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF | ($73M) |
| ARKG | ARK Genomic Revolution ETF | ($63M) |
| WTAI | WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence and Innovation ETF | ($56M) |
Issuer League Table Update
Global X and iShares continue to dominate the thematic market share, holding 17.23% and 16.08% of total assets, respectively. ERShares stood out as the top flow gatherer for the week, primarily driven by its crossover innovation strategy. On the negative side, ARK remained under pressure as the top issuer with the largest outflows, seeing $353 million leave its products this week.
Top 5 Issuers by AUM
| Brand | Fund Count | AUM | AUM Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global X | 36 | $48.49B | 17.23% |
| iShares | 33 | $45.25B | 16.08% |
| VanEck | 18 | $44.23B | 15.72% |
| First Trust | 30 | $40.10B | 14.25% |
| ARK | 7 | $13.99B | 4.97% |
Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow
| Brand | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|
| Inflows | |
| ERShares | $804M |
| iShares | $730M |
| SPDR | $693M |
| Outflows | |
| ARK | ($353M) |
| Roundhill | ($73M) |
| WisdomTree | ($50M) |
For a deeper dive into these trends, access our FREE, in-depth Thematic ETF reports in the right side panel of this page.
Disclosures
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. All investments, including ETFs, involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.
This analysis was developed by the team at ETF Action. We leverage advanced AI tools to assist in the drafting and refinement of our content, based on our expert prompts, direction, and final review.
