Top 10 Best Performing Thematic ETFs in 2025
Thematic ETFs have captured investor imagination by offering targeted exposure to megatrends such as innovation, defence, digital lifestyles and structural shifts in global demand. These funds go beyond traditional sector investing by linking capital directly with powerful narratives like robotics, space, blockchain and next‑generation technology. In 2025, several thematic players delivered strong performance, buoyed by innovation cycles, geopolitical tailwinds and shifting patterns of global spending. Notably, a number of ARK Invest’s actively managed innovation‑oriented ETFs outpaced the broader market, with funds focused on space, defence and robotics among the leaders.
| Rank | ETF (Ticker) | Est. 2025 Return | Provider | Where to Buy | Theme / Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX) | ~50%+ | ARK Invest | Most US brokers (Fidelity, Schwab, IB) | Space and defence innovation |
| 2 | ARK Autonomous Tech & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) | ~50%+ | ARK Invest | Standard platforms | Robotics / autonomous tech |
| 3 | ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) | ~38%+ | ARK Invest | US/intl brokers | Internet and disruptive tech |
| 4 | ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) | ~38–40% | ARK Invest | Widely available | Disruptive innovation |
| 5 | ARK Blockchain & Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) | ~30%+ | ARK Invest | US brokers | Blockchain and fintech |
| 6 | Global X Video Games & Esports ETF (HERO) | ~35–38% | Global X | Most online brokers | Gaming and esports |
| 7 | Roundhill Sports Betting & iGaming ETF (BETZ) | ~30%+ | Roundhill | US brokerage apps | Sports betting / digital entertainment |
| 8 | Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG) | ~10–20%+ | Global X | Major brokers | Cybersecurity infrastructure |
| 9 | iShares US Consumer Focused ETF (IEDI) | ~4–17% est. | BlackRock iShares | Widely tradable | Millennial and consumer trend |
| 10 | Global X Uranium ETF (URA) | ~30%+ | Global X | Standard brokerages | Nuclear / energy transition |
Takeway from Fundavia and What It Means for 2026
In 2025, thematic ETFs once again demonstrated their appeal as tools for investors looking to tap into big picture trends rather than broad market swings. Funds focused on innovation, digital lifestyles and structural shifts in the economy captured outsized interest and performance, even as broader markets faced intermittent volatility. That said, thematic investing remains inherently concentrated, tied closely to specific narratives, secular change and often to investor sentiment as much as to fundamental earnings. Experts have cautioned that many thematic ETFs can lag broad benchmarks when hype cools, and careful selection remains vital.
Looking to 2026, thematic ETFs are likely to remain a meaningful part of the investment landscape, but the outlook calls for nuance. Themes backed by long‑term structural change such as automation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and energy transition may continue to attract capital, especially as economic growth remains uneven and geopolitical forces such as defence spending and digital security shape corporate earnings. At the same time, investors may become more discerning about valuation and timing as the cycle evolves, emphasising disciplined allocation over chasing short‑term trends. In this environment, thematic ETFs could play a powerful role, not as all‑in bets, but as purposeful building blocks within diversified portfolios seeking exposure to tomorrow’s innovation drivers.
