In times of market turmoil, innovation still pays—in the world of ETFs, at least.
The top 10 performing ETFs of the past three months has a strong tilt towards thematic ETFs, dominated by funds focused in next-generation healthcare and power.
Representing a cross-section of top ETF asset managers and sponsors, these high-performers represent genomics, solar energy, biotechnology and clear energy. They come as President Joe Biden signed an executive order to advance U.S.-bsed biotechnology, and as the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act devotes additional federal funding to support the development of clean energy technologies.
Here are the top 10 performing ETFs of the past three months, as of the close of markets on Friday, Sept. 16, according to data from ETFScreen.com.
10. ARK Genomic Revln Multi Sector ETF ARKG 27.97%
The $2.8 billion Ark Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) invests in areas like Genomics, CRSPR, targeted therapeutics, bionformatics, stem cells and agricultural biology. Whiile the ETF has had a strong six months, it returned –55.87% over a one-year periiod.
9. Invesco Global Solar Energy TAN 28.36%
Despite its cheeky ticker, the Invesco Global Solar Energy ETF has just over $3 million in assets. TAN returned 2.16% over a one-year period ending on Friday.
8. SPDR Kensho Clean Power ETF CNRG 28.81%
State Street’s SPDR S&P Kensho Clean Power ETF has $352 million in assets and carries a 0.45% expense ratio. CNRG returned 0.58% over a one-year period.
7. SPDR BioTech ETF XBI 30.15%
State Street’s $7.3 billion SPDR S&P BioTech ETF carries a 0.35% expense ratio. Don’t be fooled by its strong three months – on a year-over-year basis, XBI returned –36.44%.
6. VIrtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF BBP 30.50%
The first rebranded BIoShares product on our top 10, the Biotech Products ETF has around $16.6 million in assets. BBP’s one-year return came in at –9.81%.
5. ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF SBIO 31.04%
A $106.7 million ETF, the ALPS Medical Breakthrough ETF carries a 0.5% expense ratio. Over a one-year period ending on Friday, it returned –32.26%.
4. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy QCLN 33.55%
First Trust’s NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy ETF returned 33.55% in the three months ending on Friday, but just 0.97% on a one-year basis. QCLN has $2.6 billion in assets and carries a 0.58% expense ratio.
3. ALPS Clean Energy ETF ACES 40.23%
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF has $837 million in assets and carries an expense ratio of 0.55%. ACES offered investors a one-year return of –5.05%.
2. Strategic CRISPR & Gene Editing Tech XDNA 40.47%
Launched this year, Kelly ETFs’ Strategic CRISPR & Gene Editing Tech ETF has just $5.4 million in assets and carries a 0.78% expense ratio. On a six-month basis, XDNA has offered a 5.67% return.
1. Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF BBC 43.01%
The second ETF on this list rebranded from BioShares by Virtus, BBC offered a whopping 43% return over the past three months but –46.61% over a one-year period. With nearly $18 miillion in assets, BBC carries a 0.79% expense ratio.
