Weekly Channel Summary
The EQ: Thematic channel currently stands at a robust $387.2B in total Assets Under Management (AUM), represented by 429 ETFs across 107 different issuers. The segment experienced a massive surge in net new money this past week, pulling in an impressive $14.90B in positive flows. This continues a strong year for thematic investing, pushing Year-to-Date (YTD) flows to $53.51B and 1-Year trailing flows to $105.58B.
This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards
Looking at weekly returns, the Midstream & MLPs category led the thematic landscape, posting a 4.39% gain for the week and bringing its YTD performance to a solid 23.76%. Sustainability was the only other category to end the week in the green. On the other end of the spectrum, Precious Metals lagged the most, dropping -5.88% over the past five days, though it still retains a 4.94% gain YTD.
Category Performance Snapshot
| Category | WTD | 1 Month | 3 Month | 6 Month | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midstream & MLPs | 4.39% | 7.60% | 8.54% | 23.95% | 23.76% | 24.78% |
| Sustainability | 0.72% | 7.90% | 11.82% | 22.91% | 24.62% | 64.40% |
| Industrial Revolution | -0.15% | 6.46% | 9.87% | 24.78% | 19.90% | 52.68% |
| Disruptive Tech | -0.19% | 15.29% | 21.16% | 18.67% | 18.59% | 41.04% |
| Thematic – Multi-Sector | -0.82% | 6.58% | 11.88% | 12.23% | 11.44% | 32.92% |
| Infrastructure | -1.37% | 2.84% | 5.39% | 22.53% | 20.77% | 38.94% |
| FinTech | -2.35% | 7.99% | 18.00% | 6.59% | 11.11% | 43.41% |
| Alternative Equity | -2.53% | -3.06% | -3.27% | -5.57% | -9.75% | -8.22% |
| Health Innovation | -2.66% | -4.79% | -2.65% | 2.17% | -3.21% | 34.44% |
| Natural Resources | -3.53% | -2.09% | -0.63% | 22.66% | 14.49% | 65.79% |
| Evolving Consumer | -3.61% | -1.48% | -0.36% | -5.09% | -8.62% | 6.90% |
| Precious Metals | -5.88% | -7.94% | -12.53% | 25.31% | 4.94% | 116.78% |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance
The best-performing individual fund in the thematic space this week was the Roundhill Space & Technology ETF (MARS), soaring 8.13%. Conversely, cannabis-themed strategies were hit hardest, with the Roundhill Cannabis ETF (WEED) down -13.87% and the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (MSOS) tumbling -12.58%.
| Ticker | Fund Name | WTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Performers | ||
| MARS | Roundhill Space & Technology ETF | 8.13% |
| NASA | Tema Space Innovators ETF | 7.72% |
| ENFR | Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 6.19% |
| USAI | Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF | 6.18% |
| ORBX | Global X Space Tech ETF | 5.84% |
| Bottom Performers | ||
| WEED | Roundhill Cannabis ETF | -13.87% |
| MSOS | AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF | -12.58% |
| CNBS | Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF | -11.85% |
| URNJ | Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF | -9.93% |
| ILIT | iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF | -9.59% |
Analyzing the Weekly Flows
Thematic ETFs captured $14.90B in total net inflows over the past week. The Thematic Multi-Sector category led the charge, hauling in $6,452M to bring its total AUM up to $37.6B. Disruptive Tech also saw immense capital allocation, adding $5,019M. On the downside, the Evolving Consumer space faced the largest headwind, recording -$81M in net outflows.
Category Flows Summary
| Category | Fund Count | AUM | 5 Day | 30 Day | 90 Day | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Multi-Sector | 45 | $37.6B | $6,452M | $6,982M | $7,197M | $7,544M | $14,775M |
| Disruptive Tech | 65 | $83.6B | $5,019M | $11,629M | $14,355M | $15,661M | $33,132M |
| Industrial Revolution | 43 | $25.4B | $1,339M | $2,535M | $4,391M | $7,039M | $11,521M |
| Infrastructure | 43 | $63.3B | $822M | $4,850M | $8,421M | $11,745M | $21,076M |
| Natural Resources | 57 | $62.4B | $702M | $1,442M | $3,389M | $10,782M | $18,136M |
| Precious Metals | 15 | $55.0B | $399M | -$756M | -$3,476M | -$498M | $3,033M |
| Sustainability | 27 | $9.8B | $250M | $754M | $892M | $1,292M | $2,113M |
| Midstream & MLPs | 17 | $26.4B | $34M | $262M | $831M | $1,124M | $2,083M |
| Health Innovation | 23 | $2.3B | -$3M | -$12M | -$110M | $70M | $62M |
| Alternative Equity | 9 | $2.4B | -$6M | $99M | $294M | $299M | $765M |
| FinTech | 25 | $5.6B | -$31M | $323M | $170M | $92M | $571M |
| Evolving Consumer | 43 | $13.4B | -$81M | -$151M | -$1,364M | -$1,676M | -$1,716M |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow
At the individual fund level, the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) commanded the most new money, securing a massive $5,927M. Conversely, the Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) and the VanEck Agribusiness ETF (MOO) led the week in redemptions, with outflows of -$175M and -$160M, respectively.
| Ticker | Fund Name | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Inflows | ||
| ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | $5,927M |
| DRAM | Roundhill Memory ETF | $3,594M |
| ARKQ | ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF | $891M |
| ARKW | ARK Next Generation Internet ETF | $558M |
| THRO | iShares U.S. Thematic Rotation Active ETF | $468M |
| Outflows | ||
| BUG | Global X Cybersecurity ETF | -$175M |
| MOO | VanEck Agribusiness ETF | -$160M |
| XT | iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF | -$150M |
| XME | State Street SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF | -$92M |
| XHB | State Street SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF | -$75M |
Issuer League Table Update
Global X and iShares continue to battle for the top spot in the thematic market, currently holding 18.13% and 16.55% of the total AUM share, respectively. In terms of short-term weekly flows, ARK was the absolute juggernaut, reeling in $7,390M across its lineup. On the other hand, SPDR faced the largest net withdrawals among top issuers, shedding -$134M in assets.
Top 5 Issuers by AUM
| Brand | Fund Count | AUM | AUM Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global X | 38 | $70.20B | 18.13% |
| iShares | 33 | $64.07B | 16.55% |
| VanEck | 19 | $50.84B | 13.13% |
| First Trust | 30 | $50.73B | 13.10% |
| ARK | 7 | $21.09B | 5.45% |
Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow
| Brand | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|
| Inflows | |
| ARK | $7,390M |
| Roundhill | $3,638M |
| iShares | $864M |
| Outflows | |
| SPDR | -$134M |
| Bitwise | -$17M |
| Fidelity | -$13M |
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.
