Weekly Channel Summary
The Thematic channel, encompassing 487 ETFs from 114 issuers, holds $396.0 billion in total assets. The channel experienced a minor net outflow of $74 million for the week, a pause in its otherwise strong asset-gathering trend. This modest weekly change stands in contrast to the significant year-to-date inflows of $71.5 billion and one-year inflows totaling $98.0 billion.
This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards
Thematic categories largely declined this week, with no group posting positive returns on average. Midstream & MLPs proved most resilient, falling just 0.17%, and remain up over 25% year-to-date. At the other end of the spectrum, Health Innovation funds dropped 3.95%, though the category still boasts a strong 41.38% gain since the start of the year.
Category Performance Snapshot
| Category | WTD | 1 Month | 3 Month | 6 Month | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midstream & MLPs | -0.17% | 2.16% | 6.51% | 8.52% | 25.20% | 25.78% |
| Sustainability | -0.22% | -4.53% | -12.41% | -2.27% | 7.80% | 19.37% |
| Disruptive Tech | -0.54% | 2.88% | -0.68% | 33.95% | 31.15% | 32.82% |
| Infrastructure | -0.77% | -5.23% | -5.86% | 2.65% | 14.08% | 17.81% |
| Multi-Sector | -1.40% | -0.59% | 2.08% | 15.77% | 14.27% | 17.01% |
| Industrial Revolution | -1.65% | -8.01% | -7.68% | -5.33% | 2.62% | 8.23% |
| Precious Metals | -2.57% | 6.67% | 23.85% | -5.40% | 12.86% | 43.47% |
| Evolving Consumer | -2.60% | -3.69% | 1.41% | 9.21% | 1.24% | -4.80% |
| Alternative Equity | -2.63% | -3.56% | 4.79% | 8.78% | -4.64% | -10.06% |
| FinTech | -2.76% | 8.65% | 0.91% | 17.20% | 11.24% | 0.85% |
| Natural Resources | -3.02% | -0.81% | 1.70% | -1.82% | 13.28% | 29.81% |
| Health Innovation | -3.95% | 0.84% | 26.96% | 44.01% | 41.38% | 62.88% |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance
Photonics and optics funds bucked the negative trend, led by the Roundhill Photonics & Optics ETF (LYTE), which surged 6.59%. In contrast, funds focused on nuclear energy and battery materials faced significant headwinds. The Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF (URNJ) was the week’s worst performer, plummeting 10.55%, followed closely by other uranium and lithium miner funds.
| Ticker | Fund Name | WTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Performers | ||
| LYTE | Roundhill Photonics & Optics ETF | 6.59% |
| FOTO | Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF | 3.79% |
| HYP | Golden Eagle Dynamic Hypergrowth ETF | 3.37% |
| LUMA | KraneShares Photonic and Optical ETF | 3.28% |
| LAZR | Tema Photonics & Optical ETF | 2.93% |
| Bottom Performers | ||
| URNJ | Sprott Junior Uranium Miners ETF | -10.55% |
| LITP | Sprott Lithium Miners ETF | -8.85% |
| URNM | Sprott Uranium Miners ETF | -8.22% |
| BBC | Virtus Biotech Clinical Trials ETF | -8.05% |
| ILIT | iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF | -7.29% |
Analyzing the Weekly Flows
Thematic ETFs saw a nearly flat week of flows, with net redemptions totaling a slight $74 million. Investor interest was concentrated in the Industrial Revolution and Multi-Sector categories, which attracted $187 million and $185 million, respectively. These inflows were offset primarily by significant withdrawals from Precious Metals funds, which shed $355 million over the period.
Category Flows Summary
| Category | Fund Count | AUM | 5 Day | 30 Day | 90 Day | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Revolution | 58 | $19.61B | $187M | $182M | -$1,840M | $7,262M | $9,473M |
| Multi-Sector | 52 | $31.08B | $185M | $437M | -$372M | $516M | $195M |
| FinTech | 28 | $4.71B | $113M | $292M | -$145M | -$445M | -$879M |
| Natural Resources | 57 | $59.14B | $106M | $718M | $175M | $10,596M | $16,733M |
| Sustainability | 28 | $7.19B | $83M | -$167M | -$1,145M | $526M | $1,363M |
| Midstream & MLPs | 18 | $27.88B | $79M | $256M | $791M | $2,058M | $2,486M |
| Infrastructure | 48 | $63.23B | $45M | $1,007M | $4,316M | $17,575M | $22,411M |
| Alternative Equity | 9 | $2.42B | -$53M | -$84M | -$53M | $267M | $472M |
| Health Innovation | 26 | $3.35B | -$94M | $123M | $297M | $323M | $378M |
| Disruptive Tech | 99 | $111.26B | -$131M | -$41M | $15,400M | $37,566M | $48,679M |
| Evolving Consumer | 48 | $12.84B | -$240M | -$139M | -$1,011M | -$2,588M | -$4,080M |
| Precious Metals | 16 | $53.28B | -$355M | -$627M | -$849M | -$2,173M | $806M |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow
Artificial intelligence was a clear magnet for capital, as the KraneShares Public-Private AI & Technology ETF (AGIX) led all funds with $237 million in new assets. On the other hand, outflows were heavily concentrated in specific segments. The VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) experienced the largest redemption of the week at $365 million, while the Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) saw outflows of $287 million.
| Ticker | Fund Name | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Inflows | ||
| AGIX | KraneShares Public-Private AI & Technology ETF | $237M |
| BOTZ | Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF | $174M |
| ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | $108M |
| ICLN | iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | $76M |
| GNR | State Street SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF | $75M |
| Outflows | ||
| GDX | VanEck Gold Miners ETF | -$365M |
| DRAM | Roundhill Memory ETF | -$287M |
| ITB | iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF | -$113M |
| ARKG | ARK Genomic Revolution ETF | -$109M |
| COPX | Global X Copper Miners ETF | -$92M |
Issuer League Table Update
Global X and iShares continue to lead the Thematic channel by assets, commanding 17.08% and 15.08% of the market share, respectively. KraneShares was the week’s top asset gatherer, pulling in $242 million in net new money, driven by strong interest in its AI-focused fund. Conversely, VanEck recorded the largest outflows among issuers, with net redemptions totaling $337 million for the week.
Top 5 Issuers by AUM
| Brand | Fund Count | AUM | AUM Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global X | 38 | $67.65B | 17.08% |
| iShares | 32 | $59.74B | 15.08% |
| First Trust | 32 | $53.81B | 13.59% |
| VanEck | 20 | $49.29B | 12.45% |
| Roundhill | 14 | $33.40B | 8.43% |
Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow
| Brand | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|
| Inflows | |
| KraneShares | $242M |
| Global X | $132M |
| iShares | $115M |
| Outflows | |
| VanEck | -$337M |
| Roundhill | -$326M |
| WisdomTree | -$98M |
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.
