Weekly Channel Summary
The Thematic channel ended the week with $393.49B in total AUM spread across 495 ETFs from 117 issuers. Net flows were negative over the trailing five days at -$331M, though the channel remains firmly positive over longer horizons with $74,541M gathered year-to-date and $94,341M over the past year. This contrast between a modest weekly outflow and robust multi-year accumulation suggests short-term rotation rather than a broader shift in investor appetite for thematic exposure.
This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards
Disruptive Tech led all categories on a WTD basis at 1.58%, extending a strong YTD gain of 41.40% and a 37.22% one-year return, reinforcing its position as the channel’s dominant performance driver. Infrastructure and Sustainability posted modest weekly gains of 0.57% and 0.12%, respectively, while Precious Metals was the week’s weakest category at -5.76%, a sharp reversal from its otherwise muted YTD return of 1.88%. FinTech also struggled, falling 4.42% for the week despite a positive YTD figure of 8.16%, highlighting volatility within niche thematic segments. Health Innovation stood out on a longer-term basis with a 61.02% YTD return, even as its weekly move was nearly flat at 0.04%.
Category Performance Snapshot
| Category | WTD | 1 Month | 3 Month | 6 Month | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disruptive Tech | 1.58% | 10.03% | 7.90% | 49.11% | 41.40% | 37.22% |
| Infrastructure | 0.57% | -0.53% | -6.19% | 1.78% | 12.67% | 13.66% |
| Sustainability | 0.12% | -1.03% | -11.89% | -2.30% | 4.88% | 6.64% |
| Multi-Sector | 0.08% | 4.76% | 4.29% | 25.39% | 18.94% | 14.16% |
| Health Innovation | 0.04% | 6.63% | 16.28% | 66.50% | 61.02% | 65.51% |
| Industrial Revolution | -0.06% | 0.57% | -4.90% | -0.56% | 3.63% | 1.21% |
| Midstream & MLPs | -0.45% | -5.92% | 0.97% | 2.12% | 18.33% | 20.25% |
| Alternative Equity | -1.41% | -5.64% | 1.04% | 4.07% | -7.59% | -7.23% |
| Natural Resources | -1.86% | -7.77% | 0.81% | -4.55% | 7.29% | 13.56% |
| Evolving Consumer | -1.98% | -2.47% | -1.36% | 11.26% | 0.08% | -5.86% |
| FinTech | -4.42% | 1.15% | 3.24% | 23.65% | 8.16% | -14.26% |
| Precious Metals | -5.76% | -10.91% | 10.50% | -7.17% | 1.88% | 17.11% |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance
Semiconductor and photonics-related names dominated the top of the leaderboard, with CHIP gaining 10.42% for the week, followed by FOTO at 9.49% and MLCC at 8.25%, consistent with Disruptive Tech’s category-level strength. On the downside, cannabis-focused funds were routed, led by MSOS at -13.37% and WEED at -12.37%, with three of the bottom five funds tied to that theme. These divergent moves underscore the wide dispersion within the Thematic channel this week, as technology-adjacent names surged while niche consumer-oriented plays retreated sharply.
| Ticker | Fund Name | WTD Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Top Performers | ||
| CHIP | REX AI Chipmaking ETF | 10.42% |
| FOTO | Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF | 9.49% |
| MLCC | Global X MLCC & Electronic Components ETF | 8.25% |
| LUMA | KraneShares Photonic and Optical ETF | 8.17% |
| EUV | Corgi Lithography & Semiconductor Photonics ETF | 7.94% |
| Bottom Performers | ||
| MSOS | AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF | -13.37% |
| WEED | Roundhill Cannabis ETF | -12.37% |
| CNBS | Amplify Seymour Cannabis ETF | -11.47% |
| YOLO | AdvisorShares Pure Cannabis ETF | -9.56% |
| MJ | Amplify Alternative Harvest ETF | -9.20% |
Analyzing the Weekly Flows
The channel recorded a net outflow of $331M over the trailing five days, a modest figure relative to the $393.49B asset base. Disruptive Tech led inflows at $277M, followed by Infrastructure at $185M and FinTech at $78M, continuing a pattern of strong year-to-date accumulation of $39,021M and $18,106M, respectively, for the two largest categories. Multi-Sector saw the largest weekly outflow at -$478M despite a positive YTD flow of $1,860M, while Industrial Revolution also shed $326M despite robust YTD inflows of $7,000M. Evolving Consumer and Natural Resources rounded out the outflow leaders at -$95M and -$51M, respectively, though both remain net positive or strongly positive over the trailing year.
Category Flows Summary
| Category | Fund Count | AUM | 5 Day | 30 Day | 90 Day | YTD | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disruptive Tech | 102 | $118.73B | $277M | $992M | $10,473M | $39,021M | $45,074M |
| Infrastructure | 52 | $62.39B | $185M | $878M | $1,807M | $18,106M | $22,055M |
| FinTech | 28 | $4.72B | $78M | $204M | $122M | -$352M | -$227M |
| Health Innovation | 27 | $3.77B | $55M | $6M | $243M | $423M | $485M |
| Precious Metals | 16 | $47.55B | $45M | -$1,096M | -$826M | -$2,503M | -$100M |
| Sustainability | 28 | $6.98B | $0M | -$69M | -$843M | $585M | $1,299M |
| Midstream & MLPs | 18 | $26.03B | -$9M | $102M | $878M | $2,122M | $2,502M |
| Alternative Equity | 8 | $2.28B | -$12M | -$114M | -$112M | $234M | $357M |
| Natural Resources | 56 | $53.64B | -$51M | -$285M | -$258M | $10,198M | $15,004M |
| Evolving Consumer | 48 | $13.09B | -$95M | $181M | -$593M | -$2,153M | -$3,742M |
| Industrial Revolution | 60 | $19.28B | -$326M | -$122M | -$614M | $7,000M | $8,065M |
| Multi-Sector | 52 | $35.03B | -$478M | $1,595M | $2,162M | $1,860M | $3,569M |
Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow
CIBR led all funds in weekly inflows with $303M, followed by MAGS at $206M and GDX at $168M. On the redemption side, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) saw the largest outflow at -$530M, followed by Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) at -$474M. These two outflows alone exceeded $1 billion combined, contributing meaningfully to the channel’s overall negative weekly flow figure.
| Ticker | Fund Name | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Inflows | ||
| CIBR | First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF | $303M |
| MAGS | Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF | $206M |
| GDX | VanEck Gold Miners ETF | $168M |
| PAVE | Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF | $133M |
| ARKW | ARK Next Generation Technology ETF | $129M |
| Outflows | ||
| ARKK | ARK Innovation ETF | -$530M |
| DRAM | Roundhill Memory ETF | -$474M |
| SHLD | Global X Defense Tech ETF | -$261M |
| BAI | iShares A.I. Innovation and Tech Active ETF | -$117M |
| SIL | Global X Silver Miners ETF | -$83M |
Issuer League Table Update
Global X and iShares remain the two largest issuers in the Thematic channel by AUM, holding 16.50% and 15.35% market share, respectively, with $64.93B and $60.42B in assets. First Trust led all issuers in weekly inflows at $293M, aided by strong demand for CIBR, while VanEck followed with $99M in net inflows. On the outflow side, ARK suffered the largest weekly redemptions at -$343M, driven largely by ARKK, with Roundhill close behind at -$257M as DRAM weighed on its flows.
Top 5 Issuers by AUM
| Brand | Fund Count | AUM | AUM Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global X | 40 | $64.93B | 16.50% |
| iShares | 32 | $60.42B | 15.35% |
| First Trust | 32 | $55.77B | 14.17% |
| VanEck | 20 | $44.21B | 11.23% |
| Roundhill | 14 | $34.72B | 8.82% |
Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow
| Brand | 5-Day Flow |
|---|---|
| Inflows | |
| First Trust | $293M |
| VanEck | $99M |
| Amplify | $74M |
| Outflows | |
| ARK | -$343M |
| Roundhill | -$257M |
| Global X | -$182M |
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.
