Weekly Thematic ETF Breakdown: Global X Keeps Lead as Tech Gathers Momentum

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Weekly Channel Summary

The EQ: Thematic ETF channel encompasses 105 issuers offering 411 distinct ETFs, with total assets under management currently standing at $348.6B. While the channel has attracted a massive $84.26B over the past year and $32.48B year-to-date, this past week saw a slight deceleration, resulting in a minor net outflow of $34M.

This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards

Midstream & MLPs took the top spot this week with a strong 3.86% return, bringing its year-to-date performance up to an impressive 21.30%. On the other end of the spectrum, Precious Metals lagged significantly, dropping -6.45% for the week, which dragged its year-to-date return down to just 2.92%.

Category Performance Snapshot

Category WTD 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month YTD 1 Year
Midstream & MLPs 3.86% 3.92% 13.07% 25.74% 21.30% 27.45%
Alternative Equity 3.04% 9.59% -5.36% -3.81% -6.44% 0.23%
Sustainability 2.30% 12.01% 11.87% 17.08% 21.61% 79.48%
Disruptive Tech 1.92% 17.62% 10.12% 3.57% 10.44% 43.64%
Infrastructure 1.51% 9.20% 13.30% 20.11% 21.52% 46.29%
Industrial Revolution 1.01% 11.65% 7.58% 13.54% 16.57% 61.42%
Thematic – Multi-Sector 0.77% 12.97% 6.02% 3.50% 8.15% 38.63%
Natural Resources 0.23% 5.53% 3.74% 23.39% 17.23% 79.60%
Evolving Consumer 0.05% 8.83% -1.88% -7.64% -5.33% 15.74%
FinTech -0.37% 20.83% 1.23% -16.79% 4.85% 46.34%
Health Innovation -0.75% 1.51% -3.52% 4.33% -1.57% 32.31%
Precious Metals -6.45% -6.26% -8.19% 28.45% 2.92% 112.01%

Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance

The single best-performing thematic ETF this week was the Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR), posting a staggering 13.95% return. Conversely, gold miners faced heavy pressure, with the iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) and the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM) bringing up the rear, tumbling -8.19% and -8.07%, respectively.

Ticker Fund Name WTD Performance
Top Performers
HYDR Global X Hydrogen ETF 13.95%
LITP Sprott Lithium Miners ETF 9.17%
ILIT iShares Lithium Miners and Producers ETF 9.12%
WEED Roundhill Cannabis ETF 7.67%
LIMI Themes Lithium & Battery Metal Miners ETF 7.26%
Bottom Performers
SGDJ Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF -7.37%
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF -7.56%
GOAU U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF -7.78%
SGDM Sprott Gold Miners ETF -8.07%
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF -8.19%

Analyzing the Weekly Flows

Despite a minor net outflow of $34M across the broader channel, certain segments attracted massive capital. Disruptive Tech secured the top spot for inflows, bringing in $1,032M to push its category AUM up to $65.3B. Infrastructure also saw heavy demand, gathering $865M over the past five days. On the downside, Thematic – Multi-Sector experienced the steepest net redemptions, losing $1,215M.

Category Flows Summary

Category Fund Count AUM 5 Day 30 Day 90 Day YTD 1 Year
Disruptive Tech 65 $65.3B $1,032M $4,291M $4,836M $6,861M $24,792M
Infrastructure 43 $60.5B $865M $3,654M $6,864M $9,589M $19,370M
Sustainability 27 $8.7B $73M $265M $412M $721M $1,458M
Health Innovation 23 $2.4B $71M $95M $32M $148M $122M
Industrial Revolution 42 $22.8B $43M $1,254M $2,737M $5,325M $9,932M
Midstream & MLPs 17 $26.4B $18M $252M $905M $1,049M $2,001M
Alternative Equity 9 $2.5B $16M $191M $253M $287M $845M
FinTech 25 $4.9B ($23M) $320M ($185M) ($22M) $478M
Natural Resources 56 $61.1B ($84M) $762M $3,209M $9,679M $16,629M
Evolving Consumer 43 $13.6B ($404M) ($159M) ($1,678M) ($1,779M) ($2,479M)
Thematic – Precious Metals 15 $51.0B ($427M) ($735M) ($2,911M) ($379M) $2,882M
Thematic – Multi-Sector 45 $29.4B ($1,215M) $677M $728M $1,003M $8,233M

Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow

The Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) was the undisputed leader in weekly asset gathering, pulling in $740M. Conversely, the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) and the First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund (FDN) suffered the steepest redemptions, losing $1,524M and $275M respectively.

Ticker Fund Name 5-Day Flow
Inflows
DRAM Roundhill Memory ETF $740M
PAVE Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF $220M
AIRR First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF $124M
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF $115M
XOVR ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF $113M
Outflows
ARKQ ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF ($99M)
CGW Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF ($126M)
GDX VanEck Gold Miners ETF ($241M)
FDN First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund ($275M)
ARKK ARK Innovation ETF ($1,524M)

Issuer League Table Update

Global X and iShares continue to command the thematic space, holding the top two spots with 19.04% and 16.90% market share respectively. However, Roundhill was the biggest winner in terms of recent capital allocation, gathering a massive $831M in weekly inflows. On the other hand, ARK experienced the heaviest redemptions among top issuers, registering $1,551M in net outflows.

Top 5 Issuers by AUM

Brand Fund Count AUM AUM Market Share
Global X 37 $66.37B 19.04%
iShares 33 $58.93B 16.90%
VanEck 18 $48.91B 14.03%
First Trust 30 $46.88B 13.45%
ARK 7 $13.27B 3.81%

Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow

Brand 5-Day Flow
Inflows
Roundhill $831M
iShares $390M
Global X $300M
Outflows
First Trust ($120M)
VanEck ($329M)
ARK ($1,551M)

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.