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1.

What Could Be One of the Best ETFs to Own in 2026?

2025-12-05 20:29:00 by Todd Shriber, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

Issuers of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are nothing if not inventive. One of the ways they find success with new products is to tie them to established, successful funds.

The Invesco NASDAQ Next Gen 100 ETF (NASDAQ: QQQJ) is an example of that phenomenon. This ETF follows the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index, which is equivalent to a "junior varsity" of the Nasdaq-100. In essence, this fund is the lower-market-capitalization cousin of the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) and the Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (NASDAQ: QQQM).

More than DNA defines this ETF

Obviously, the next-gen fund has noteworthy relatives, but this ETF has its own story to tell and some of that message explains why this $723 million fund could be a winner in 2026.

First, this Invesco ETF is classified as a mid-cap growth fund meaning its holdings are significantly smaller by market capitalization than the stocks residing in the aforementioned ETFs tracking the Nasdaq-100. Don't fret about that because this ETF allocates a third of its weight to tech stocks, positioning it as a complement to mega-cap-heavy growth funds.

So if mid-cap stocks keep pace with their larger peers in 2026 and that resurgence is led by growth names, the next-gen ETF could be uniquely positioned to deliver big returns. As things stand today, the fund is up more than 19% year-to-date, easily outpacing traditional mid-cap growth ETFs in the process.

There may be reasons to consider this fund before 2026 arrives. The Nasdaq-100 rebalances later this month and for the index nerds out there -- hey, I'm one -- that's meaningful as it relates to this ETF for multiple reasons. First, some stocks will leave the fund to join the Nasdaq-100 while others will leave that gauge and join this ETF.

Second, history confirms that the stocks banished from the Nasdaq-100 often go on to notch better performances than those added to the index. In other words, this fund may be getting the superior end of the ETF equivalent of a trade in the sports world.

Todd Shriber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

What Could Be One of the Best ETFs to Own in 2026? was originally published by The Motley Fool

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2.

Exchange-Traded Funds Mixed, US Equities Higher Midday

2025-12-05 18:24:14 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds, including IWM and IVV, were mixed, with the latter trading higher, while actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was up 0.3%.

US equity indexes were higher Friday after the Federal Reserve's preferred measure for underlying inflation trends fell in September, and expectations for price pressures in a University of Michigan survey retreated.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 0.4%, and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was up 0.5%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 0.5%, iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.4% higher, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.5%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rose 1%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) was 1.2% higher.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 0.5%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) gained 1.4%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) retreated 1.4%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.2% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 1%. Natural gas was up 7.7%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) added 7.2%.

Gold on Comex gained 0.1%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.1%. Silver fell 2.2%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 2.4% up.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) gained 0.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) was fractionally up, while iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell 0.4%.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 0.4%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was 0.6% higher, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) increased 1.7%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) lost 0.3%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were also lower; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.6% lower.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) fell 0.3%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) eased 0.2% and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) was up 0.2%.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 3.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) lost 3.4%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) lost 4%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 4.1% lower.

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3.

Capturing AI Gains Without Overexposure: ETFs to Consider

2025-12-05 15:02:00 by Yashwardhan Jain from Zacks

The market’s rally has been fueled by AI for quite some time now, with the “Magnificent Seven” significantly outperforming the S&P 500 and accounting for much of the gains. This outperformance is highlighted by the performance of the S&P 500 Information Technology Index, which has added 24.80% year to date, much higher than the broader S&P 500’s 16.6% gain over the same period.

But this dominance has also sparked a debate on Wall Street, as stretched valuations and AI-bubble fears prompt investors to rethink exposure.

However, per BlackRock, AI is expected to remain a dominant market force in 2026, as quoted on Reuters. At the same time, the firm cautions that increased speculative trading and rising leverage could make the path ahead volatile.

As per Helen Jewell, CIO of fundamental equities EMEA at BlackRock, AI-linked investments may continue to generate strong returns, but intermittent concerns over valuations and the sector’s outlook could lead to bouts of heightened volatility, according to the abovementioned article.

As of Nov. 21, 2025, the Mag 7 saw third-quarter earnings rise 28.3% year over year on 18.1% higher revenues, compared with 94.8% of S&P 500 companies reporting 15.6% earnings growth on 8.3% higher revenues. The outlook for the Mag 7 remains strong, with Wall Street analysts raising earnings growth expectations for the year ahead (Read: Mag 7 Beats S&P 500 in Q3: Buy These 3 ETFs to Tap Their Strength).

Beat Overexposure With a Diversified Playbook

AI investing is undeniably exciting, and the momentum might continue to drive market gains. However, the risk of concentrated rallies in select names makes the market vulnerable to larger drawdowns. Investing heavily in tech to capitalize on AI’s growth potential exposes investors to systemic and concentration risks, particularly as valuations climb and concerns of an AI-driven bubble rise.

Diversification, therefore, becomes especially crucial when chasing the AI boom. “Invest smart or risk getting burned” is especially true in this case, as AI-focused ETFs can deliver impressive gains but also come with heightened volatility.

By spreading investments across multiple sectors and funds, investors can capture the upside of the AI rally while avoiding the pitfalls of overconcentration. A diversified approach helps preserve long-term growth potential and reduces vulnerability to sudden market shocks, allowing investors to participate in AI’s momentum without taking on unnecessary risk.

In short, AI may keep powering strong gains but a well-diversified portfolio remains your most reliable safety net, a way to tap into AI’s upside without taking on unnecessary risk.

ETFs to Explore

Below, we have highlighted a few funds that provide diversified tech exposure.

Equal Weight Technology ETFs

Investors can consider Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF RSPT and State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF XNTK.

S&P 500 ETFs

Investing in S&P 500 ETFs also provides broad exposure to the tech sector. With roughly 35% of the index allocated to information technology, and NVIDIA NVDA, Apple AAPL and Microsoft MSFT among its top holdings, the S&P 500 offers built-in diversification across major tech leaders.

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF VOO, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVV and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF SPYM can be considered.

Investors can also consider increasing exposure to Invesco QQQ QQQ. The fund has a diversified exposure, allocating about 65.05% to technology, followed by consumer discretionary and health care, with an allocation of 17.61% and 4.91%, respectively.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Invesco QQQ (QQQ): ETF Research Reports

SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): ETF Research Reports

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO): ETF Research Reports

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV): ETF Research Reports

State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (XNTK): ETF Research Reports

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RSPT): ETF Research Reports

State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM): ETF Research Reports

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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4.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Friday Ahead of Key Inflation Report

2025-12-05 13:52:13 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.4% higher in Friday's premarket activity ahead of the delayed personal income and outlays report.

US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.3% before the start of regular trading.

The delayed personal income and outlays report for September, which includes the Fed's preferred inflation metric, will be released at 10 am ET.

Also releasing at 10 am ET is the preliminary University of Michigan consumer sentiment report for December and the Factory Orders report for October, followed by the weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count at 1 pm ET.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 1.4%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.2% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 0.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was flat.

Power Play:

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was marginally down by 0.01%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was 0.1% lower. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) gained by 0.01%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.

Victoria's Secret (VSCO) shares were up more than 13% pre-bell after the company posted a narrowed fiscal Q3 adjusted loss and higher net sales.

Winners and Losers:

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) advanced by 0.5%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.2% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.2%. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained by 0.6%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.8%.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) shares were down more than 9% in recent premarket activity after the company posted a lower-than-expected fiscal Q1 revenue outlook.

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.1%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was up 0.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) rose 5.4%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.1% higher.

Cooper (COO) stock was up more than 13% premarket after the company posted higher fiscal Q4 non-GAAP earnings and net sales.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) was flat. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was 0.1% lower, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was flat.

SoFi Technologies (SOFI) shares were down more than 7% pre-bell after the company said it is offering $1.50 billion worth of common stock.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was 2.1% higher, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was down by 0.1%.

BP (BP) stock was down more than 2% before Friday's opening bell after the Financial Times reported Thursday that the company is in advanced talks to sell its Castrol lubricants business to infrastructure investment group Stonepeak.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) retreated by 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.

Southwest Airlines (LUV) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said in a Friday filing that it now expects 2025 earnings before interest and taxes, excluding special items, of about $500 million, compared with $600 million to $800 million previously.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 0.2% at $59.52 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained 1.5% to reach $5.14 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) retreated 0.2%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) rose 2.5%.

Gold futures for February were up by 0.3% at $4,253.90 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures advanced by 1.9% to $58.56 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) gained by 0.4%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 1.7% higher.

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5.

Exchange-Traded Funds Mixed, US Equities Higher in Midday Trading as Investors Weigh Jobs Data

2025-12-04 18:27:20 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher, while actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was down 0.2%.

US equity indexes were slightly higher in midday trading Thursday as investors weighed the jobs data amid gains in most government bond yields.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 0.4% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was up 0.5%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) and iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) were 0.3% higher, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.2%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rose 1%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) fell 0.7%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) gained 0.9%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) retreated 0.9%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.4% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 1.3%. Natural gas was up 0.2%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) added 0.1%.

Gold on Comex gained 0.4%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.2%. Silver rose 0.2%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 2.5% down.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) fell 0.6%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) was down 0.7% while iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell 0.6%.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) fell 0.6%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was 0.4% lower, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) decreased 0.2%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) lost 0.6%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were down as well; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was fractionally higher.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) rose 0.7%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were in the green as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 1.1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) lost 0.6%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) gained 0.5%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 0.5% lower.

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6.

Why High-Income Seekers Are Turning to Autocallable ETFs

2025-12-04 16:55:00 by Neena Mishra from Zacks

Investors seeking higher income have been flocking to ETFs that use derivatives to generate attractive payouts. Auto-callables, long popular among high-net-worth investors for their juicy coupons, are now available to retail investors in a low-cost, transparent ETF structure.

An autocallable is a market-linked investment that provides periodic coupon payments and returns principal at maturity, or earlier if the security is called, provided that the referenced index (such as the S&P 500) does not decline beyond predetermined thresholds.

In simple terms, it functions like a bond whose income and principal repayment depend on the equity market staying above specific levels.

Autocallables offer potentially higher monthly income than traditional fixed-income securities, but with capped upside and the risk that a significant market decline could suspend coupon payments or, in severe cases, result in principal loss.

Calamos launched the first autocallable ETF backed by JPMorgan in June, followed by Innovator Capital Management.

The Calamos Autocallable Income ETF (CAIE) provides exposure to about 52 autocallable notes maturing weekly, enhancing diversification and reducing risk. Coupon levels can vary with market volatility and the current levels are around 14.2 percent.

Last month, Calamos launched the Calamos Nasdaq Autocallable Income ETF (CAIQ), which currently has a coupon of almost 18 percent.

The Innovator Equity Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACEI) offers exposure to a laddered portfolio of autocallables linked to US large-cap stocks, with an average coupon of 14.3 percent.

The Innovator Index Autocallable Income Strategy ETF (ACII) holds a laddered portfolio of swaps linked to three major US market ETFs: S&P 500 (SPY), Nasdaq-100 (QQQ), and Russell 2000 (IWM).

The fund’s performance depends on the worst-performing of the three indexes, and it pays a monthly coupon as long as that index stays above a defined coupon barrier.

Investors should remember that these products are suitable only for those who need higher income than traditional bonds, hold a neutral to slightly bullish market outlook, and are comfortable capping upside potential in exchange for steady payouts.

To learn more about these ETFs, please watch the short video above.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Invesco QQQ (QQQ): ETF Research Reports

SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): ETF Research Reports

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM): ETF Research Reports

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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7.

Comparing Two of the Top Buy-and-Hold ETFs for Retail Investors: QQQ vs. VOO

2025-12-04 15:03:00 by Jake Lerch, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

The Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) stands out for its tech-heavy focus and recent performance, while the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) offers broader diversification, lower fees, and a higher yield.

Both QQQ and VOO are among the most popular exchange-traded funds in the U.S., but they serve different investment priorities. QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index and emphasizes large-cap technology, while VOO tracks the S&P 500 Index, representing the broader U.S. stock market. Here’s how they compare on cost, returns, risk, and what’s inside.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric	QQQ	VOO
Issuer	Invesco	Vanguard
Expense ratio	0.20%	0.03%
1-yr return (as of 2025-11-28)	21.5%	13.5%
Dividend yield	0.5%	1.1%
Beta	1.10	1.00
AUM	$403.0 billion	$1.5 trillion

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

VOO looks more affordable with its 0.03% expense ratio, undercutting QQQ’s 0.20% fee, and also stands out for a higher dividend yield, which could appeal to investors seeking income alongside growth.

Performance & Risk Comparison

Metric	QQQ	VOO
Max drawdown (5 y)	-35.12%	-24.52%
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years	$2,067	$1,889

What's Inside

VOO tracks the S&P 500 Index, holding 505 companies and offering exposure across sectors: 36% in technology, 13% in financial services, and 11% in consumer cyclicals. Its top positions include NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), each representing less than 0.1% of the fund. With over 15 years in the market, VOO may appeal to investors seeking broad, low-cost coverage of the U.S. large-cap universe.

In contrast, QQQ provides a more concentrated bet on large-cap growth, with 54% in technology, 17% in communication services, and 13% in consumer cyclicals. Its largest holdings—NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft—carry slightly higher individual weights than in VOO. QQQ’s narrower focus means greater sensitivity to tech sector swings, while VOO’s breadth spreads risk more widely.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

Foolish Take

Simply put, these are two of my favorite ETFs. The Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) are both compelling investment options, but let's break down what makes each one stand out.

To start, let's focus on one key difference: Each fund's expense ratio. The QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.20%, which is reasonable and below the average ETF expense ratio of around 0.45%. However, the VOO offers a rock-bottom expense ratio of 0.03%. That's about as low of an expense ratio as you'll ever see, and it gives the VOO the edge in this key category.

Second, let's examine performance and composition. The QQQ is more heavily weighted to megacap tech stocks. That has its benefits and drawbacks. In the long term, its concentration in technology stocks has powered the QQQ's excellent performance history. The QQQ boasts a 10-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.2% -- easily besting the VOO's CAGR of 14.4%. Yet, on the other side of the ledger, QQQ's heavy concentration of big tech stocks makes it more volatile during market corrections and bear markets. The QQQ's max five-year drawdown of -35% is significantly steeper than the VOO's -24%.

In sum, both of these ETFs are excellent choices for just about any investment portfolio. Perhaps the only significant downside to these ETFs are their meager dividend yields (1.1% for VOO and 0.5% for QQQ), which may cause income-oriented investors to look elsewhere. Otherwise, these ETFs' broad diversification, low expense ratios, and excellent long-term performance history make them ETFs that every investor should know.

Glossary

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund): An investment fund traded on stock exchanges, holding a basket of assets like stocks or bonds.
Expense ratio: The annual fee, as a percentage of assets, that a fund charges to cover operating costs.
Dividend yield: The annual dividends paid by a fund or stock, expressed as a percentage of its price.
Beta: A measure of an investment’s volatility compared to the overall market, typically the S&P 500.
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total market value of assets that a fund manages on behalf of investors.
Max drawdown: The largest percentage drop from a fund’s peak value to its lowest point over a specific period.
Growth of $1,000: The increase in value of a $1,000 investment over a given time, including price changes and dividends.
Large-cap: Companies with a large market capitalization, generally considered stable and established.
Sector: A group of companies that operate in the same area of the economy, such as technology or financial services.
Index: A statistical measure representing a group of stocks, used to track market performance (e.g., S&P 500, NASDAQ-100).
Diversification: Spreading investments across various assets or sectors to reduce risk.
Drawdown: A decline in investment value from its peak to its lowest point before recovering.

Jake Lerch has positions in Invesco QQQ Trust and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Comparing Two of the Top Buy-and-Hold ETFs for Retail Investors: QQQ vs. VOO was originally published by The Motley Fool

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8.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Hopes for Interest Rate Cut

2025-12-04 13:55:50 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.1% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.03% higher in Thursday's premarket activity amid hopes of an interest rate cut.

US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.02% before the start of regular trading.

US employers announced plans for 71,321 job cuts in November, down from October but above year-earlier levels, with telecommunications and technology firms reporting the largest reductions, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Thursday.

US initial jobless claims dropped to 191,000 in the week ended Nov. 29 from a revised 218,000, defying expectations for an increase to 220,000.

The September factory orders report posts at 10 am ET, followed by the weekly EIA natural gas bulletin at 10:30 am ET.

Federal Reserve board member Michelle Bowman is slated to speak on Thursday.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 0.1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was flat, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 1.4%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was flat.

Power Play:

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advanced 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.1%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.1% lower.

UP Fintech (TIGR) shares were up more than 7% pre-bell after the company reported higher Q3 non-GAAP net income and revenue.

Winners and Losers:

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was up 0.2%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was inactive. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) gained 0.2%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was flat.

Dollar General (DG) shares were up more than 6% pre-bell after the company reported higher fiscal Q3 earnings and net sales.

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.1%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was 0.03%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) were inactive.

Philips (PHG) stock was down more than 5% premarket after Reuters reported that executives indicated 2026 organic sales growth is unlikely to double from roughly 2% this year.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) retreated 0.03%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.02% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was inactive. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) declined by 0.02%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) fell by 0.5%.

Science Applications International (SAIC) shares were up more than 5% in recent premarket activity after the company reported higher-than-expected fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) advanced 0.1%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.

Donaldson (DCI) stock was up more than 2% before the opening bell after the company reported higher fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was up by 0.1%.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 0.6% at $59.32 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained 0.2% to reach $5.01 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 0.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.3% higher.

Gold futures for February were down by 0.3% at $4,221.90 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures fell by 1% to $57.91 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was flat, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 2%.

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9.

Why has Invesco’s QQQ called me two dozen times in the past few weeks? Is it a scam?

2025-12-03 20:17:00 by Beth Pinsker from MarketWatch

Invesco’s QQQ fund is one of the largest ETFs in the world, with $400 billion put toward tracking the Nasdaq-100 index. What the heck do they want with me?

When my phone first started buzzing with QQQ QQQ calls in November, I assumed it was a scam. I hardly ever answer my phone, and especially not if I don’t recognize the number, so I just let the calls pass to voicemail. But they kept calling — at least two dozen times, from many different numbers, multiple times a day. Some were ID’d by my phone as from the fund itself, some as a “proxy priority call.” They called twice just in the time I was writing this article. 

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10.

The Cloud Computing Market Could Surge by 218%: Buy This ETF That Holds a Big Position in Alphabet

2025-12-03 18:56:00 by Leo Sun, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

The global cloud computing market could expand by 218% from $752.4 billion in 2024 to $2.39 billion in 2030, according to a forecast by Grand View Research, as the explosive growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) market drives more companies to upgrade their cloud infrastructure. One simple way to profit from that trend would be to invest in a tech giant like Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), which owns the world's third-largest cloud infrastructure platform and hosts a broad range of cloud services across its ecosystem.

However, a safer way would be to invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that owns many of the market's top cloud and AI stocks, including Alphabet. One top ETF that fits that description is the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ), which has rallied by more than 440% in the past 10 years while the S&P 500 rose by less than 230%. Here's why this diversified ETF is still a great play on the booming cloud market.

An easy way to track America's top tech companies

QQQ passively tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, which is comprised of the 100 largest non-financial companies in the Nasdaq Composite index. Its eight top holdings are Nvidia (9.1% of its portfolio), Apple (8.8%), Microsoft (7.7%), Alphabet (7.6% split across its class A and class C shares), Broadcom (6.6%), Amazon (5.3%), Tesla (3.3%), and Meta (3%).

All of those companies are participants in the cloud and AI markets. Amazon and Microsoft own the world's two largest cloud infrastructure platforms. Nvidia and Broadcom provide crucial data center chips for supporting the newest cloud-based AI applications. And Meta, Apple, and Tesla all store and crunch a lot of data on their own cloud platforms.

Those eight companies (which include all of the Magnificent Seven stocks) account for over half of the total values of the Nasdaq-100 and the QQQ. And their growth has allowed the QQQ to outperform other ETFs, such as those that track the broader S&P 500.

The fees are headed lower

QQQ's biggest weakness is its expense ratio of 0.2%, which is meaningfully higher than the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF's (NYSEMKT: VOO) ratio of 0.03% or the average expense ratio of 0.14% for passively managed ETFs. QQQ fees are higher because it was originally created as a unit investment trust (UIT) instead of an open-ended ETF.

Back when QQQ was launched in 1999, it was easier to get a fund approved as a UIT -- which can't reinvest its dividends before paying them, lend out its securities for income, or actively adjust its portfolio to reduce its expenses -- instead of an open-ended ETF. Because it lacks those ways to offset its costs, QQQ needs to charge higher fees than many open-ended ETFs.

But in 2020, Invesco launched a nearly identical open-ended ETF, the Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (NASDAQ: QQQM), which has an expense ratio of 0.15%. It's also in the process of converting QQQ into an open-ended ETF, and intends to reduce its expense ratio to 0.18%. QQQM's lower fee might make it more appealing than QQQ. However, QQQ is more actively traded, has higher liquidity, and supports options trading. QQQM -- which is more lightly traded and not tethered to options -- is a better pick for buy-and-hold investors.

A simple way to profit from the cloud and AI markets

If you expect the global cloud infrastructure and AI markets to expand significantly over the next few decades, it would be smart to invest in either the QQQ or QQQM and then tune out the near-term noise. Both ETFs are likely to be more volatile than S&P 500 ETFs, but over the long term, they'll also likely outperform the broader index as more companies ramp up their spending on cloud infrastructure upgrades.

Leo Sun has positions in Amazon, Apple, and Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Cloud Computing Market Could Surge by 218%: Buy This ETF That Holds a Big Position in Alphabet was originally published by The Motley Fool

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11.

Exchange-Traded Funds, US Equities Higher in Midday Trading

2025-12-03 18:23:19 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was up 0.1%.

US equity indexes rose in midday trading Wednesday after a surprise drop in private sector jobs sent government bond yields lower, which helped raise the odds of a rate cut next week.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 1.9%, and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was also up about 1.9%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) and iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) were fractionally higher; and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 0.1%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rose 1.9%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) rose 0.9%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 1.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) gained 3.3%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) retreated 3.3%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.2% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 1%. Natural gas rose 3.8%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) went up to 3.4%.

Gold on Comex gained 0.5%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) eased 0.2%. Silver rose 0.3%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.2% down.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) fell 0.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) was up 0.4% while iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell 0.4%.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 1%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was fractionally lower, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) increased 2%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) gained 0.6%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were up as well; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.7%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) rose 0.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were in the green as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was up 1.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) gained 2.4%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) gained 5%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 1.8% higher.

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12.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Wednesday Amid Economic Data Releases

2025-12-03 13:58:29 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.3% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.2% higher in Wednesday's premarket activity amid important economic data releases.

US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.2% before the start of regular trading.

US mortgage applications declined 1.4% in the week ended Nov. 28 as a decline in refinancing outweighed the impact of lower 30-year mortgage rates, Mortgage Bankers Association data showed Wednesday.

US private-sector payrolls fell by 32,000 in November, defying expectations for a gain of 10,000, according to ADP data.

The US import price index was unchanged in September, versus expectations for a 0.1% rise and a 0.1% increase previously, while the export price index was also flat compared with forecasts for a 0.1% decline and a 0.1% prior gain.

The index of industrial production report for September will be released at 9:15 am ET.

The US Services Purchasing Managers' Index for November is slated for a 9:45 am ET release, followed by the Institute for Supply Management's services index for November at 10 am ET.

The weekly EIA Petroleum Status Report is due at 10:30 am ET.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 1.9%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.9% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 3.2%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) gained 1.3%.

Power Play:

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.2%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was flat, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) and the iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) were inactive.

Pharvaris (PHVS) stock was down more than 19% premarket after the company said that its therapy deucrictibant met its primary endpoint of rapid symptom relief in patients suffering acute hereditary angioedema attacks as well as all secondary efficacy endpoints in a phase 3 study.

Winners and Losers:

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was up 0.2%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was 0.1% higher. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) fell 3%, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) advanced by 0.3%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) gained 0.4%.

Macy's (M) shares were down more than 5% pre-bell despite the company reporting stronger-than-expected Q3 earnings and raising its full-year guidance.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advanced 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.8%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.8% lower.

Iren (IREN) shares were up more than 2% pre-bell after the company said that it has priced its offering of 39.7 million ordinary shares at $41.12 apiece, with the transaction expected to close on Monday.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) advanced 0.3%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.

Archer Aviation (ACHR) stock was up more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said that it plans to establish a Miami metropolitan area-based air taxi network.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) gained 0.2%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.7% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was inactive. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) advanced 0.8%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.9%.

Nextpower (NXT) shares were up more than 1% in recent premarket activity after the company said it is opening an expanded Southeast regional hub with a new remote monitoring center in Nashville.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was up by 0.6%.

Eni (E) stock was up more than 1% before Wednesday's opening bell after the company said it has entered a long-term LNG sale agreement with Turkish company Botas.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was up 1.3% at $59.42 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas rose 2.8% to $4.98 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) gained 1.2%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 2.3% higher.

Gold futures for February advanced by 0.5% to $4,242.60 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were up by 0.7% at $59.11 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) gained by 0.1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 0.1%.

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13.

Nvidia Just Lit a Fire Under Synopsys Stock But Its Chart Is Waving Red Flags. Here’s the Only Way I’d Trade SNPS Here.

2025-12-02 20:13:06 by Rob Isbitts from Barchart

On the date of publication, Rob Isbitts did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com

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14.

Exchange-Traded Funds, US Equities Rise as Cryptocurrencies Gain

2025-12-02 18:51:27 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV rose. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.6% higher.

US equity indexes were higher after midday Tuesday as gains in cryptocurrencies and government bond prices point to a rebound in risk sentiment.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) lost 1.2% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was down 1.3%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 0.9%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1% higher, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) gained 0.9%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) rose 2.3%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) rose 1.8%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was down 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) retreated 0.2%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) rose 0.4%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 0.5% lower, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) lost 0.7%. Natural gas dropped 1.7%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) fell 1.6%.

Gold on Comex lost 1.1%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) fell 1.1%. Silver dropped 0.8%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.5% up.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) fell 1.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) was 1.1% lower and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) fell 1.8%.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) dropped 0.4%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was down 0.6%, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) lost 0.5%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) shed 0.7%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were down as well; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) dropped 0.2%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) rose 0.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were in the green as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was up 8.5%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) gained 7.7%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) gained 9.6%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 8.1% higher.

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15.

The Real Price of Passive: It’s Not the Expense Ratio

2025-12-02 18:16:47 by etf.com Staff from etf.com

Passive investing remains the primary choice of advisors and investors, but is it also the culprit of many of the growing problems in today's markets? Michael Green, Chief Strategist and Portfolio Manager at Simplify Asset Management, delved into the real costs of passive investing for markets and investors with ETF.com's Dave Nadig at the Astoria Macro Summit in October. Below are the main topics discussed as well as their timestamps. 

Timestamps

[00:00:24] Passive Investing and Price Distortion- An incremental buy into a cap-weighted index like the S&P 500 will have a disproportionately higher price impact on the largest, most volatile stocks (like Nvidia) compared to the smallest stocks (like CarMax). Green steps through the math and reasoning of why this is.

[00:05:53] The Accumulation of Price Distortion (Selective Cointegration)-The outsized impact that passive investing has on big stocks accumulates over time. This process, which Green terms selective cointegration, is why the market-cap weighted index is increasingly diverging from the S&P equal-weight index.

[00:08:50] The Role of Active vs. Passive Investors- Active managers don't move the market in a unified way, while passive index vehicles amplify market impact. This systemic passive buying contributes to the long-term rise of prices for the largest stocks.

[00:14:15] The Luxury/Veblen Good Effect and Explaining Down Markets- The phenomenon of flow-driven inflation creates upward-sloping demand curves for the biggest companies, meaning the demand increases with price. It’s a trend created when the desire for the item (or stock) drives its value more than its underlying fundamentals.

[00:15:15] Explaining Down Markets- Green explains that the down market of 2022 was partially attributable to systematically rebalanced funds (like target date funds) forced to sell equities to maintain their target allocations as bond prices fell. This net passive selling during rebalancing periods lends credence to the flow-driven price impact theory, with the stocks that led the market up also leading it down.

[00:17:50] Opportunities in Smaller Stocks (Alpha and Risk)- The dispersion of stock returns within the index creates an opportunity to find alpha. However, this is a systemic risk that is unhedgeable, so success often means losing less than the next person, not necessarily a guaranteed positive return.

 

Discover the news, data, and voices shaping the ETF community. Follow along here.

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16.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Tuesday as Investors Seek Catalysts

2025-12-02 13:42:42 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.4% higher in Tuesday's premarket activity as investors look for catalysts to support the market.

US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.4% before the start of regular trading.

Michelle Bowman, Federal Reserve board member, is slated to speak on Tuesday.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 2.3%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2.4% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 2.4%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was flat.

Power Play:

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.2%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) gained 0.2%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.3% higher.

Janux Therapeutics (JANX) shares were down 40% in recent Tuesday premarket activity after the company posted interim data from its phase 1 trial of the JANX007 drug candidate to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Winners and Losers:

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) advanced 0.04% while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.

BW LPG (BWLP) stock was down more than 6% before the opening bell after the company posted lower Q3 earnings.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was up 03%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was up by 0.2%.

BKV (BKV) stock was down more than 6% before Tuesday's opening bell after the company said late Monday it priced an underwritten public offering of 6 million of its common shares at $26 apiece for $156 million in total gross proceeds.

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was down 0.1%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was flat. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) lost marginally by 0.04%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.

Signet Jewelers (SIG) shares were down more than 4% pre-bell, continuing from a 4.5% fall at the prior close. The company posted higher fiscal Q3 adjusted earnings and revenue, and lifted its fiscal 2026 guidance.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) advanced 0.4%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.3% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was marginally down by 0.01%. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was up 1.3%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 1.1%.

Marvell Technology (MRVL) shares were up more than 2% in recent premarket activity after The Information reported the company is negotiating a cash-and-stock purchase of Celestial AI that could total over $5 billion, including earnouts.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advanced 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.8%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.6% lower.

Banco Santander (SAN) shares were up more than 1% pre-bell after the company confirmed it has sold a 3.5% equity interest in Santander Bank Polska, its Polish unit.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.2% lower at $59.15 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 1% at $4.97 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 0.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.5% higher.

Gold futures for February retreated by 0.9% to $4,234.90 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were down by 1.9% at $58.01 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) declined by 0.6%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 0.6%.

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17.

ETF Investors Put $28.3B To Work In Holiday-Shortened Week

2025-12-02 07:54:55 by Sumit Roy from etf.com

U.S.-listed ETFs took in $28.3 billion during the week ending Friday, Nov. 28, as investors continued to put cash to work despite the Thanksgiving slowdown.

Roughly $9.6 billion flowed into U.S. fixed income ETFs, while $5.9 billion went into U.S. equity funds. International equity ETFs added $5 billion, and international fixed income products brought in another $3.5 billion.

Among individual funds, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), and the iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) were the week’s top asset gatherers.

It was a holiday-shortened stretch, with U.S. markets closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and operating on a half-day schedule Friday.

On the outflow side, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY), the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL), and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) saw the largest redemptions for the period.

For the full breakdown of last week’s top ETF inflows and outflows, see the tables below.

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18.

Top ETF Market Trends 2025: What Advisors Need to Know About Equity, Bond Thematic ETFs

2025-12-02 02:30:35 by etf.com Staff from etf.com

Market Snapshot

As 2025 winds down, the U.S. ETF market continues to demonstrate resilience amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Broad equity indices recorded modest gains last month, underpinned by solid corporate earnings in technology and consumer discretionary sectors. At the same time, volatility remains elevated in growth- and tech-heavy ETFs, highlighting the importance of tactical allocation and risk management.

In fixed income, Treasury yields retreated slightly amid renewed speculation over Federal Reserve rate cuts, benefiting long-duration bond ETFs. Short- and intermediate-term Treasury and corporate bond ETFs continue to attract flows from advisors seeking income and stability.

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ETF Flows & Trends

Equity ETFs

• U.S. equity ETFs saw steady inflows in November, with advisors favoring large-cap, dividend-oriented, and value-focused funds.
• Active equity ETFs remain in focus, particularly those offering sector-specific or thematic exposures — including technology, healthcare, and clean energy.

Fixed-Income ETFs

• Advisors are positioning clients in short- and intermediate-duration bond ETFs amid ongoing Fed uncertainty.
• Municipal and Treasury ETFs continue to attract inflows as safe-haven allocations grow.

Thematic & ESG ETFs

• Despite market volatility, thematic ETFs—particularly AI, clean energy, and ESG strategies—retain interest. Advisors caution clients to monitor concentration risk and sector-specific volatility.

International & Global ETFs

• Non-U.S. equity ETFs, including emerging-market exposures, have benefited from favorable currency movements and regional growth prospects.
• Geopolitical risk and currency exposure remain key considerations when building international allocations.

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Considerations for Advisors

Portfolio Positioning:

Maintaining diversification remains critical. Core, low-cost ETFs provide foundational exposure, while thematic and international ETFs allow for targeted allocation aligned with client objectives.

Risk Management:

With volatility unevenly distributed across sectors, advisors are emphasizing duration management in bond ETFs and selective sector rotation in equities.

Client Communication:

Educating clients on the role of ETFs in hedging, income generation, and portfolio diversification remains essential. Advisors should reinforce long-term perspectives and articulate the strategic rationale behind allocations.

Tax Efficiency:

ETFs continue to offer tax advantages relative to mutual funds. Advisors are leveraging these structures in taxable accounts, municipal bond allocations, and for tax-loss harvesting opportunities.

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Key Takeaways

• ETF markets remain robust, but volatility is sector-specific.
• Core, diversified ETFs remain the foundation of advisor portfolios, complemented by tactical tilts toward thematic or international ETFs for appropriate clients.
• Staying informed on fund flows, liquidity, and macroeconomic trends is critical to guiding clients through market uncertainty.

For advisors, the current environment underscores the value of ETFs in combining diversification, cost-efficiency, and tactical flexibility — tools that are essential for managing client portfolios amid both opportunity and volatility.

 

_{This article was generated in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence. All content has been reviewed and edited by ETF.com editorial staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with our standards.}

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19.

Trump’s Potential Fed Chair Pick: How It Could Impact Interest Rates and ETFs

2025-12-02 02:07:43 by etf.com Staff from etf.com

Trump’s Comments Fuel Uncertainty Over Fed Leadership

President Trump recently made headlines by saying he “knows who he is going to pick” as the next Federal Reserve chair — though he declined to name the individual publicly. At the same time, he reiterated harsh criticisms of current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, complaining that the Fed has been too slow to cut interest rates.

While Powell’s term doesn’t end until May 2026, Trump’s remarks — and the rapidly rising market odds that Kevin Hassett will be the nominee — have injected fresh volatility into fixed-income, currency, equity, and ETF markets.

Analysts warn that a politically aligned, “Trump-approved” Fed chair could erode confidence in the Fed’s independence — and with it, undermine clarity around monetary policy direction.

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What It Means for Markets — and ETF Investors

• Interest Rates, Bond Yields & Fixed Income ETFs

The prospect of a more dovish Fed under a new chair has pushed investors to price in faster and deeper rate cuts, causing Treasury yields to drop and the U.S. dollar to soften. For bond and fixed-income ETFs, this could mean a near-term boost in prices — especially in longer-duration funds — though volatility may remain high as markets debate the timing and magnitude of cuts.

• Equities, Risk Assets & Sector Rotation

Lower rates typically favor equities, especially rate-sensitive sectors like real estate, consumer discretionary, and commodities. Under a potentially “accommodative Fed,” ETFs focused on those sectors might outperform broader indices. That said, the uncertainty around policy direction could keep volatility elevated — and sector rotation may accelerate as investors chase what looks most rate-sensitive.

• Dollar, Global Flows & International ETFs

A weaker U.S. dollar under a dovish U.S. monetary regime tends to boost non-U.S. assets, including emerging-market equities and global (ex-U.S.) bond or equity ETFs.

• Importance of Fed Independence & Market Confidence

One risk for ETFs broadly — and especially for fixed income and risk-assets — is that markets could demand a “political risk premium.” If investors believe the Fed may become politicized, concerns about policy consistency, inflation, and stability could weigh on asset prices.

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Scenario Analysis: What Could Unfold

Here are a few possible paths from here — and how each might play out for ETF investors:

Scenario	Likely Market/ETF Implications
Dovish pivot — new Fed chair is confirmed, rate cuts accelerate	Fixed-income ETFs rally; equity and real-asset ETFs outperform; dollar weakens; overseas-asset ETFs outperform.
Volatility spike — markets fear Fed politicization, push yields and inflation expectations up	Bond-heavy ETFs underperform; volatility-sensitive sector ETFs get hit; investors seek safety via gold/commodity or short-duration bond ETFs.
Status quo + simmering uncertainty — Powell stays until 2026, but markets remain nervous	Mixed performance; rotation between bond & equity ETFs; greater value on ETFs that hedge interest-rate or inflation risk.

 

What ETF Investors Should Watch Now

• Watch for the formal nomination announcement — markets seem to expect it before year-end.
• Monitor commentary from the likely nominees (especially if it’s Kevin Hassett) about interest-rate policy, inflation, and Fed independence.
• Positioning for rate-sensitive sectors, global diversification, and currency exposure may make sense if a dovish pivot arrives — but be cautious: volatility remains.
• Consider balance: while rate cuts might benefit equities and bonds, political uncertainty could tilt sentiment toward safety — making hedging, shorter-duration fixed income ETFs, or diversified multi-asset ETFs more appealing.

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Takeaway

The turbulence around leadership at the Fed — driven by President Trump’s public statements about his preference for a new chair — has added a fresh layer of uncertainty to markets. For ETF investors, this means two simultaneous dynamics are at play: the potential for a dovish rebound (favorable to bonds, rate-sensitive equities, global assets) and the risk of policy volatility or politicization (which tends to penalize clarity, push yields up, and undercut risk assets).

In this environment, selective positioning — focusing on duration exposure, global diversification, and inflation/interest-rate hedges — may offer the most strategic advantage.

_{This article was generated in part with the assistance of artificial intelligence. All content has been reviewed and edited by ETF.com editorial staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with our standards.}

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20.

2 Invesco ETFs to Buy Before 2026

2025-12-01 20:07:55 by Vandita Jadeja from 24/7 Wall St.

Considering the growing popularity of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) across the country, it is time to rebalance your portfolio before 2026. Whether you’ve invested in stocks and are looking to reallocate the funds or want to build a diversified portfolio of ETFs, Invesco offers several options to choose from. 

Some of the best Invesco ETFs aren’t high-yield funds but those that offer capital appreciation. The Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) and Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ) are two ETFs that will boost your portfolio and prepare you for 2026. These are growth engines that will improve overall portfolio returns. 

Invesco QQQ Trust

The Invesco QQQ Trust tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, which holds the 100 largest nonfinancial companies trading on the Nasdaq exchange. We’ve seen growth stocks perform better than value stocks in the past decade, and I believe this trend could continue. The ETF holds the top tech stocks and has a heavy dose of the Magnificent Seven. 

It allocates 64% of the fund into the technology sector, followed by consumer discretionary (18.29%) and healthcare (4.21%). The top 10 holdings constitute 53.86% of the portfolio and include Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Broadcom, Alphabet, Amazon, and Tesla. It has the highest allocation in Nvidia at 9.28%. 

Since the AI boom started, these companies have delivered an exceptional return, which has allowed QQQ to hit a 52-week high. Technology is constantly evolving, and QQQ offers the perfect mix of stocks for the long term. While the fund doesn’t offer a high yield, it offers premium capital appreciation, which will allow you to see steady portfolio growth. 

QQQ has generated an average annual return of 19.6% and has outperformed the S&P 500 in the past decade. It holds 101 stocks and has an expense ratio of 0.20%. The fund and index are balanced quarterly and reconstituted annually. It has generated a cumulative 3-year return of 130.78% and 5-year return of 140.85%. 

As megacap growth stocks continue to lead the market higher, the Invesco QQQ Trust could benefit. Exchanging hands for $614, the fund has gained 20.39% in 2025 and over 100% in 5 years. Even conservative investors can make use of the ETF and be a part of the tech-driven returns as the market continues to move to new highs. 

Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Quality Index. It invests in stocks that are a part of the S&P 500 and have the highest quality score based on return on equity, financial leverage ratio, and accruals ratio. The final portfolio might look similar to the S&P 500, but it is not the same. You get to own the best of the S&P 500. 

It holds 100 top-quality stocks and focuses on companies that have stable financials and have remained resilient in the market. The fund is balanced semi-annually. It has a 10-year annualized return of 14.6%, outperforming the S&P 500. SPHQ has gained 11.25% in 2025 and is exchanging hands for $74.38. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.15%.

As compared to other tech-focused funds, SPHQ has the highest allocation in the industrials sector (26.55%), followed by technology (24.50%) and consumer staples (17.60%). Its top 10 stocks include strong dividend payers like Apple, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Mastercard, Caterpillar, and Costco. 

These companies have rewarded investors for years and have the ability to continue doing so. It has the highest allocation in Apple at 6.65%. The ETF has a yield of 1.19%, and while it is not a very high yield, it promises ultimate diversification and a portfolio of the top blue chip companies. With Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF, you get quality over quantity and low risk. 

SPHQ has generated a 3-year return of 21.07% and and a 5-year return of 16.54%. If you are looking to invest beyond the traditional tech stocks, SPHQ can be an ideal choice. Besides the steady passive income, it promises capital appreciation and stands out amongst all the Invesco ETFs. 

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21.

QLD vs. SSO: Which 2x Leveraged ETF Is Best for Investors Right Now?

2025-12-01 18:28:22 by Katie Brockman, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

The ProShares Ultra QQQ ETF (NYSEMKT:QLD) and the ProShares Ultra S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT:SSO) both offer 2x daily leveraged exposure, but they differ in underlying index, sector concentration, and risk-return profile.

Both funds aim for double the daily performance of major U.S. indexes -- the Nasdaq-100 for QLD and the S&P 500 for SSO -- making them tools for aggressive traders or tactical investors. This matchup examines their costs, returns, risk, and portfolio makeup to clarify which may appeal depending on your outlook and risk tolerance.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric	SSO	QLD
Issuer	ProShares	ProShares
Expense ratio	0.87%	0.95%
1-yr return (as of Dec. 1, 2025)	18.32%	32.48%
Dividend yield	0.72%	0.18%
Beta (5Y monthly)	2.02	2.22
AUM	$7.7 billion	$9.9 billion

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

SSO is slightly more affordable on fees, with a 0.87% expense ratio versus QLD’s 0.95%, and it also offers a higher dividend yield. Leveraged ETFs are generally only used as short-term investment vehicles -- so fees and yield may not be the primary factors most investors consider -- but they can still matter for those seeking any regular income from this type of investment.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric	SSO	QLD
Max drawdown (5 y)	-46.73%	-63.68%
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years	$2,725	$2,736

What's inside

QLD targets two times the daily return of the Nasdaq-100, resulting in a portfolio that is 55% technology, 15% communication services, and 13% consumer cyclical stocks.

It holds 101 positions, with top allocations to Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft. With nearly two decades of history, QLD’s strong tech tilt and daily leverage reset can mean both higher upside and sharper losses, especially during volatile periods.

SSO provides 2x daily S&P 500 exposure, spreading risk across 503 holdings. Its portfolio is also tech-heavy (35%), but the sector tilt is not as strong as QLD's. The fund's top holdings mirror QLD’s, but SSO’s broader sector mix may offer a bit more diversification.

Both funds’ daily leverage reset means long-term returns can diverge from the underlying index over time, especially if markets are volatile.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

Foolish take

Leveraged ETFs are higher-risk, higher-reward investments often used by short-term traders. With their 2x daily leverage, they can be incredibly lucrative when their underlying indexes are thriving -- but the drawdowns are also much more severe during periods of volatility.

While both of these funds carry more risk than many other ETFs, QLD is the more volatile of the two. It's experienced a more severe max drawdown over the past five years, and with a higher beta, it's also more prone to price fluctuations. Its smaller portfolio and more significant tilt toward the tech sector also result in less diversification and higher risk.

SSO, by contrast, offers more diversification with exposure to the S&P 500. It's experienced less volatility in recent years compared to QLD, but its one-year returns are also fairly substantially lower at 18% compared to QLD's 32%.

Where you choose to invest will depend mostly on your tolerance for risk. All leveraged ETFs will carry more risk than your average fund, but a tech-focused investment like QLD can offer higher risk in exchange for higher potential earnings, while the more diversified SSO can provide slightly more stability.

Glossary

ETF: Exchange-traded fund; a fund that trades on stock exchanges like a stock.
Leverage: Use of borrowed money or derivatives to amplify investment returns, increasing both potential gains and losses.
2x daily leveraged exposure: A fund strategy aiming to deliver twice the daily return of its underlying index.
Underlying index: The benchmark index a fund seeks to track or outperform, such as the S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100.
Expense ratio: Annual fee, as a percentage of assets, that covers a fund’s operating costs.
Dividend yield: Annual dividends paid by a fund, expressed as a percentage of its current price.
Beta: A measure of a fund’s volatility compared to the overall market (S&P 500).
AUM: Assets under management; the total market value of assets a fund manages.
Max drawdown: The largest percentage drop from a fund’s peak value to its lowest point over a period.
Daily leverage reset: The process of rebalancing leverage each day, which can affect long-term returns in volatile markets.
Sector concentration: The degree to which a fund’s holdings are focused in specific industries or sectors.
Diversification: Investing across various assets or sectors to reduce risk from any single investment.

Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

QLD vs. SSO: Which 2x Leveraged ETF Is Best for Investors Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool

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22.

Exchange-Traded Funds Fall as US Equities Decline After Midday

2025-12-01 18:09:09 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV fell. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was fractionally lower.

US equity indexes fell, setting up for the first decline in six trading sessions, amid a surge in most government bond yields in midday trading on Monday.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) added 0.9% and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was up 1.1%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 0.2%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.3% higher, while iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) slipped 0.2%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) fell 0.2%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) rose 0.6%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was down 0.3%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) dropped 0.7%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), rose 0.8%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.1% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) lost 0.3%. Natural gas dropped 1.2%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) rose 1.3%.

Gold on Comex added 0.2%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.4%. Silver gained 2.8%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 3.6% up.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) rose fractionally. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) were mixed, with the latter falling 0.3%.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 0.5%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was up 0.3%, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) gained 1.1%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) shed 1%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were down as well; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) dropped 1.8%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) fell 0.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were in the red as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 6.8%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) lost 6.4%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) shed 9.6%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 7% lower.

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23.

Tradr Launches SMQ, the First Monthly Reset Inverse ETF Tracking Invesco QQQ®

2025-12-01 15:44:00 by PR Newswire

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24.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Monday Ahead of Manufacturing Reports

2025-12-01 13:57:43 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.7% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 1% lower in Monday's premarket activity, ahead of reports on manufacturing activity in November.

US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.7%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.9% before the start of regular trading.

The S&P Global manufacturing purchasing managers index for November will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the November ISM manufacturing index and the construction spending bulletin at 10 am ET.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 5.5% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 6.8%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) fell 9%.

Power Play:

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) retreated 0.2%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.4%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was flat. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) retreated 0.7%.

Belite Bio (BLTE) stock was up more than 15% premarket after the company said that a phase 3 trial of Tinlarebant to treat Stargardt disease type 1 met its primary efficacy endpoint.

Winners and Losers:

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was up by 0.1%.

Centrus Energy (LEU) stock was down more than 3% before Monday's opening bell. The company said that its uplisting to the New York Stock Exchange from the NYSE American has been approved.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) retreated 1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.6% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was inactive. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was down 1.1%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) declined by 1.7%.

Micron Technology (MU) shares were down more than 2% in recent premarket activity. Nikkei Asia reported Saturday that the company plans to invest 1.5 trillion Japanese yen ($9.66 billion) to build a new facility within its Hiroshima Plant in Japan that would make next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) retreated 0.6%, the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.3%, while the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.

Hafnia (HAFN) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company reported lower Q3 earnings and revenue.

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was up 0.04%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was down 0.9%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) lost 0.6%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) retreated by 0.7%.

Tesla's (TSLA) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell after Reuters reported that the company's November registrations fell sharply in France, Denmark and Sweden.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) retreated 0.6%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 1.9%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 1.9% higher.

Ares Management (ARES) shares were down 0.9% pre-bell after the company said it is consolidating its global logistics real estate platforms under a single brand to be known as Marq Logistics.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 1% higher at $59.14 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down 1% at $4.80 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) declined by 0.5%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.7% higher.

Gold futures for February gained by 0.7% to reach $4,283.20 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were up by 1% at $57.76 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.9%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 1.6%.

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25.

Here's How Much You'd Need to Invest in the Nasdaq-100 to Get Your Portfolio to $1 Million or More by Retirement

2025-12-01 02:15:00 by David Jagielski, CPA, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

Investing in the top stocks on the Nasdaq exchange can be a great way to grow your portfolio in the long run. Many of the best growth stocks in the world are on that exchange, and it can be a great place to find a top company to invest in.

An easy way to track the top stocks on the Nasdaq is through the Nasdaq-100 index, which is a list of the top 100 non-financial stocks on the exchange. You can gain exposure to this index via an exchange-traded fund (ETF), such as the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ), which is a popular option for growth investors.

But just how much would you need to invest in the ETF to grow your portfolio to $1 million or more by the time you retire? Let's find out.

The biggest question mark is what growth rate the ETF will end up averaging

For the most part, you can control how much you invest into the stock market and how long you remain invested for. But the biggest variable, your expected annual return, will have a huge impact on your portfolio's overall performance, and it's the toughest to predict.

Over the past 10 years, the Invesco ETF has generated total returns (which include dividends) of more than 470%, which is far better than the S&P 500 and its total returns of 282% over that stretch. The Invesco's returns average out to a compounded annual growth rate of 19%. This is effectively the average annual return over that time frame.

The temptation may be to assume that's the return you can expect over the long term. But the ETF has been performing exceptionally well due to the recent growth in artificial intelligence (AI). Expecting these kinds of impressive returns to hold up for decades would be a phenomenal scenario, but it may not be all that probable given that slowdowns, corrections, and crashes are bound to happen. Consider that for decades, the S&P 500's average annual return is only around 10%.

While you might be compelled to think that the Nasdaq-100 should do better than the S&P 500, expecting a return of around 19% could result in making rosy projections and forecasts that may only lead to disappointment later on; a healthy dose of conservatism is more than justifiable in this situation. There's no right or wrong number to choose, but the key should be to set expectations that don't depend on ideal circumstances or variables, which may not be highly probable.

How much would you need to invest today to get to $1 million?

For this example, I'm not going to try and predict a rate of return for the Invesco fund but instead produce a table that will factor in varying returns. This way, you can see how broadly the amounts may vary depending on not only how many years you have until retirement but also on the average return.

Years to Retire	9% Growth	10% Growth	11% Growth	12% Growth	13% Growth	14% Growth
10	$422,411	$385,543	$352,184	$321,973	$294,588	$269,744
15	$274,538	$239,392	$209,004	$182,696	$159,891	$140,096
20	$178,431	$148,644	$124,034	$103,667	$86,782	$72,762
25	$115,968	$92,296	$73,608	$58,823	$47,102	$37,790
30	$75,371	$57,309	$43,683	$33,378	$25,565	$19,627
35	$48,986	$35,584	$25,924	$18,940	$13,876	$10,194

Table and calculations by author.

Based on the estimated number of years you have to retirement, you can see how much you would need to invest in order to get to $1 million by the time you retire. The table serves as more of a guide than a definitive guarantee as to how much you need to set aside today. There are, after all, never any guarantees when it comes to investing. 

The amounts can undoubtedly be high for people who are nearing retirement. But this also assumes that you just invest a lump sum amount today and let the investment grow in value. You can, however, add to your position over time to boost your overall returns. And regardless of whether you get to $1 million or not, investing in the top growth stocks via the Invesco fund can still be an excellent way to grow your portfolio's value in the long run.

David Jagielski, CPA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Nasdaq. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Here's How Much You'd Need to Invest in the Nasdaq-100 to Get Your Portfolio to $1 Million or More by Retirement was originally published by The Motley Fool

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26.

Which ETF Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio Right Now?

2025-11-30 18:40:00 by Neil Patel, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

It's simply not true that to be a successful investor, it's a requirement to be able to pick individual stocks. There are numerous exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can provide the right kind of exposure. And investors can still reap the rewards.

So, this begs the question: Which ETF deserves a spot in your portfolio right now?

Investors will gain exposure to technology-driven trends

One of the best ETFs available is the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ). It tracks the performance of the 100 largest nonfinancial companies that trade on the Nasdaq exchange.

There is a heavy concentration in technology companies, with Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft combining to represent 26% of the entire portfolio. Investors who buy the QQQ will immediately gain exposure to some of the most powerful tech-driven secular trends.

Returns going forward could decline

In the past decade, the Invesco QQQ Trust generated a total return of 475% (as of Nov. 26). This is undoubtedly a fantastic performance, driven by the success of dominant tech companies. Investors are wondering if the future will be as kind.

I believe it's reasonable to expect returns to moderate going forward, as past performance isn't indicative of future results. But that doesn't mean investors shouldn't put money to work. Investing early on and having patience can lead to a wonderful outcome.

Neil Patel has positions in Invesco QQQ Trust. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Which ETF Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool

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27.

3 Growth ETFs to Buy With $5,000 and Hold Forever

2025-11-30 00:47:00 by Rachel Warren, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

Growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) broadly focus on companies that are expected to grow their earnings and revenue at an above-average rate compared to the overall market. This can provide long-term investors the potential for significant capital appreciation over the long term, but it's always important to be selective about where you put your money to work.

By holding a basket of numerous growth stocks across various sectors (such as technology, healthcare, and consumer stocks), investing in growth ETFs can allow you to spread risk more effectively than investing in a single stock or a few individual growth stocks. These ETFs also offer you as the investor a streamlined way to invest in companies at the forefront of innovation and emerging trends without needing to perform extensive research and analysis on individual companies.

On that note, if you have $5,000 to invest, here are three top growth ETFs to consider putting some or all of that amount into the next time you go stock shopping.

1. Vanguard Growth ETF

Vanguard Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VUG) is an ETF that tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index and focuses on large U.S. companies, primarily in technology and consumer cyclical businesses. The fund has an extremely low expense ratio of 0.04%.

The ETF has generated strong average annual returns of approximately 17.4% over the past 10 years. If those returns were to continue in the next decade, this means that a $5,000 investment in the Vanguard Growth ETF could grow to more than $24,000 by the end of that forecast period.

The ETF holds 160 stocks, with the largest holdings, including megacap companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Other holdings include Eli Lilly, Mastercard, Oracle, and Uber.

For investors who want exposure to large-cap growth companies with high sales and earnings growth potential without investing in individual stocks, the Vanguard Growth ETF could be well worth considering.

2. Invesco QQQ Trust

Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, which includes the 100 largest nonfinancial companies on the Nasdaq exchange. The ETF is heavily weighted toward the technology sector, but it also includes stocks in the consumer discretionary and healthcare sectors, which could be of interest to investors seeking additional diversification. Its expense ratio is 0.20%.

The ETF also provides investors exposure to companies at the forefront of long-term trends like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and robotics. Top holdings of the Invesco QQQ Trust include Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Broadcom, Amazon, Alphabet, and Tesla. However, you'll also find companies like Costco, Netflix, Intuitive Surgical, and PepsiCo among its various holdings.

Over the last decade, the Invesco QQQ Trust has outperformed the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) by a significant margin, with total returns of around 456% for the former versus approximately 276% for the latter. If you break that down to an annualized return over the last 10 years, the Invesco QQQ Trust has delivered 19.6% compared to the market's 14.6%. Were that track record to continue, a $5,000 investment in QQQ now could be worth more than $29,000 in a decade.

3. Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF

Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHG) boasts a low expense ratio (0.04%) and tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. The fund is concentrated in megacap stocks. Its top holdings, including Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Broadcom, account for around half of the ETF's total assets.

However, if you invest in this ETF you'll also get exposure to other companies, including names like Walt Disney, GE Vernova, and Booking Holdings. The ETF currently holds 197 stocks.

The Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF boasts a 10-year annualized return of 18.18% based on its market price at the time of this writing. So, a $5,000 investment in this ETF with a hypothetical annualized performance of 18.18% over a decade -- assuming annual compounding and no additional contributions or withdrawals -- would be worth more than $26,000 at the end of that period.

Rachel Warren has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Booking Holdings, Costco Wholesale, Intuitive Surgical, Mastercard, Microsoft, Netflix, Nvidia, Oracle, Tesla, Uber Technologies, Vanguard Index Funds - Vanguard Growth ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool recommends Broadcom and Ge Vernova and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

3 Growth ETFs to Buy With $5,000 and Hold Forever was originally published by The Motley Fool

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28.

If You'd Invested $1,000 in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today

2025-11-29 15:25:00 by Scott Levine, The Motley Fool from Motley Fool

Providing a convenient one-stop shopping opportunity for growth-minded investors, the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ: QQQ) is a common option for those seeking high-reward exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Over the past year, the Invesco QQQ Trust has notably outperformed the market. While the S&P 500 index has risen 13%, the Invesco QQQ Trust has soared 20.2% as of this writing.

But what happens if we expand the time frame beyond the past year and examine the fund's performance over the past 10 years? Let's see what an initial investment of $1,000 would now be worth.

AI powerhouses have powered big returns recently

Including the 100 largest nonfinancial stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, the Invesco QQQ Trust is composed of leading tech stocks. Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, for example, occupy the top three positions, with a combined weighting of more than 25%.

Due to the market's ravenous appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, the fund's strong performance over the past year is hardly surprising, but AI enthusiasm has been driving big gains for more than just the past year. Some pundits suggest that the market's appetite for AI investments began around five years ago.

As a result of the exuberance for AI stocks -- and general enthusiasm for leading tech stocks, the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF has flourished over the past 10 years. People who invested $1,000 in the fund on Nov. 25, 2015 have seen their positions grow to $5,334 as of the end of trading on Nov. 25, 2025.

Fear of an AI bubble bursting shouldn't scare potential investors from this ETF

Although some believe an AI bubble has formed and will soon burst, it's essential to recognize that the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF is more than just a pure-play AI investment. Over the long term, the companies in this ETF are likely to prosper -- even if an AI bubble bursts -- as future innovations emerge. For those with lower risk tolerances who desire exposure to technology, this ETF is a great choice.

Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

If You'd Invested $1,000 in the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) 10 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today was originally published by The Motley Fool

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29.

10 truths about the stock market

2025-11-29 14:07:17 by Sam Ro from Yahoo Finance

This post was originally published on TKer.co on October 15, 2021.

The stock market can be an intimidating place: it’s real money on the line, there’s an overwhelming amount of information to follow, and people have lost fortunes in it very quickly.

But it’s also a place where thoughtful investors have long accumulated a lot of wealth.

The primary difference between positive and negative outcomes is related to misconceptions about the stock market that can lead people to make poor investment decisions.

With that in mind, I present to you ten truths about the stock market.¹

1. The long game is undefeated

There’s nothing the stock market hasn’t overcome.

“Over the long term, the stock market news will be good,” billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the greatest investor in history, wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times during the depths of the global financial crisis. “In the 20th century, the United States endured two world wars and other traumatic and expensive military conflicts; the Depression; a dozen or so recessions and financial panics; oil shocks; a flu epidemic; and the resignation of a disgraced president. Yet the Dow rose from 66 to 11,497.”

CNBC via Getty Images

Since that op-ed was published, the market emerged from the global financial crisis. It also overcame a U.S. credit rating downgrade and a global pandemic among many other challenges. The Dow closed Thursday at 34,912, just 2% from its all-time high.

Btw, historically you didn’t have to wait a hundred years for positive returns. Since 1926, there’s never been a 20-year period where the stock market didn’t generate a positive return.

While stocks usually go up over much shorter periods, the odds of positive returns improve as you lengthen your time horizon.

For more, read: In the stock market, time pays ⏳ and A very long-term chart of U.S. stock prices usually going up 📈

2. You can get smoked in the short-term

Bull markets come with lots of bumps in the road.

While the S&P 500 has usually generated positive annual returns, it’s also seen an average drawdown (i.e. a decline from its high) of 14% during those years.

The chart below from JP Morgan Asset Management does a nice job illustrating this. The grey bars represent each calendar year’s return and the red dots represent the intra-year drawdowns.

Bear markets are no picnic either: They can happen quickly, like the S&P500’s 34% drop from February 19, 2020 to March 23, 2020; and they can happen painfully slowly, like the 57% decline from October 9, 2007 to March 9, 2009.

Investing for long-term returns means being able to stomach a lot of intermediate volatility.

For more, read: Stomach-churning stock market sell-offs are normal🎢, My favorite visualization of short-term stock market performance 📊, and Bear markets and a truth about investing 🐻

3. Don’t ever expect average

At some point in your life, you probably heard that the stock market generates about 10% annual returns on average.

While that may be true in the long run, the market rarely delivers an average return in a given year.

Check out the chart below from Ritholtz Wealth Management’s Ben Carlson. It plots the S&P 500’s annual returns since 1926. If 10%-ish returns were commonplace, you’d see a tight horizontal line of dots just above the x-axis.

This chaotic mess of dots illustrates just how difficult it is to predict what next year’s returns are going to be. This holds true even if you know exactly what’s going to happen in the economy. Outside of the Great Depression and the Global Financial Crisis, it’s difficult to make out history’s major economic booms and bust.

The good news is most of the dots are above the black line. Indeed, stocks usually go up.

For more, read: Don't expect average returns in the stock market this year 📊, Don't be afraid of the market's bears 🐻, and 2 telling charts about the stock market's volatile path📉📈

4. Stocks offer asymmetric upside

A stock can only go down by 100%, but there’s no limit to how many times that value can multiply going up.

Yes, we’ve seen some pretty bad sell-offs in the stock market. But it’s gone up manyfold more. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s offered. From its low of 666 in March 2009, the S&P 500 is up more than 6x today.

For more, read: The stock market's incredible asymmetric upside 📈, There's more upside than downside for long-term investors 📈, and Warren Buffett reminds us how picking winning stocks is extraordinarily hard 🤓

5. Earnings drive stock prices

Any long term move in a stock can ultimately be explained by the underlying company’s earnings, expectations for earnings, and uncertainty about those expectations for earnings.

News about the economy or policy moves markets to the degree they are expected to impact earnings. Earnings (a.k.a. profits) are why you invest in companies.

For more, read: Earnings are the most important driver of stock prices💰, Peter Lynch made a remarkably prescient market observation in 1994 🎯, and Publicly traded companies are not charities 💸

6. Valuations won’t tell you much about next year

There are many valuation methods that’ll help you estimate whether a stock or stock market is cheap or expensive. We won’t go through all of those here.

While valuation methods may tell you something about long-term returns, most tell you almost nothing about where prices are headed in the next 12 months. Over short periods like this, expensive things can get more expensive and cheap things can get cheaper.

It’s worth noting that prices can be cheap or expensive for extended periods of time. In fact, some folks would argue valuations are not mean-reverting.

For more, read: The stock market's complicated evolving relationship with valuations 📈, Use valuation metrics like the P/E ratio with caution ⚠️, and Goldman Sachs destroys one of the most persistent myths about investing in stocks 🤯

7. There will always be something to worry about

Investing in stocks is risky, which is why the returns are relatively high.

Even in the most favorable market conditions, there will always be something keeping the most risk-averse folks on the sidelines. For more, check out Yahoo Finance Morning Brief’s chart of the decade.

For more, read: Sorry, but uncertainty will always be high 😰 and Two recent instances when uncertainty seemed low and confidence was high 🌈

8. The most destabilizing risks are the ones people aren’t talking about

Surveys of market participants will yield lists of top risks, and ironically the most commonly cited risks are the ones that are already priced into the markets.

It’s the risks no one is talking about or few are concerned about that’ll rock markets when they come to surface.

For more, read: The most destabilizing risks to the stock market 📉, For markets, there’s one thing worse than bad news 📉📈, and Taking stock of Corporate America’s ‘Risk Factors’⚠️

9. There’s a lot of turnover in the stock market

Just as most businesses don’t last forever, most stocks aren’t in the market forever. The S&P 500 sees lots of turnover (i.e. failing businesses get dropped and up-and-coming businesses get added).

In fact, it’s the addition of new and unexpected companies that have been driving much of the S&P 500’s returns over the past decade.

For more, read: 700+ reasons why S&P 500 index investing isn't very 'passive'💡 and The makeup of the S&P 500 is constantly changing 🔀

10. The stock market is and isn’t the economy

While the U.S. stock market’s performance is closely tied to the trajectory of the U.S. economy, they’re not the same thing.

The economy reflects all of the business being conducted in the U.S. while the market reflects the performance of the biggest companies — which typically have access to lower-cost financing and have the scale to source goods and labor more cheaply.

Importantly, many of these bigger companies that make up the stock market do at least some business overseas where growth prospects may be better than in the U.S.

For more, read: The stock market is not the economy in an important way 🌎, 4 key observations about the U.S. stock market to remember 📊, and The 'critical' consumer shift that could define stock market performance in 2024 🔀

What all of this means

We could very well be on the brink of a dreadful, multi-year long bear market. Who knows?

However, the stock market has an upward bias.

This makes sense if you think about it. There are way more people who want things to be better, not worse. And that demand incentivizes entrepreneurs and businesses to develop better goods and services.

And the winners in this process get bigger as revenue grows. Some even get big enough to get listed in the stock market. As revenue grows, so do earnings.

And earnings drive stock prices.

This post was originally published on TKer.co on October 15, 2021.

¹ The “stock market” is a general term usually used to refer to the major U.S. indices: the Dow Jones Industrial Index, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq. When I refer to “stocks,” I’m usually referring to the S&P 500. When discussing specific stats, I’ll be explicit about what I’m talking about.

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30.

Exchange-Traded Funds Edge Higher as US Equities Rise on Holiday-Shortened Friday

2025-11-28 18:11:18 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was up 0.8%.

US equity indexes rose, albeit amid thin trading volumes ahead of the early close on Friday.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each added 1.3%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 0.9%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.7% higher, while iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) gained 0.9%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) climbed 1.8%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) rose 1.8%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 0.7%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 1.9%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), fell 1.9%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.5% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) added 1.5%. Natural gas climbed 5.2%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) climbed 3.5%.

Gold on Comex added 1.1%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 1.2%. Silver gained 6.3%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 5.8% up.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) added 0.5%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) also advanced.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 0.6%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was up 0.5%, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) slipped 0.2%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) fell 0.6%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were down as well; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) added 0.1%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) climbed 0.6%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were higher as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 0.9%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) added 0.9%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) shed 0.1%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 0.6% higher.

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31.

Billionaires Can’t Get Enough Of This ETF

2025-11-28 15:58:09 by Vandita Jadeja from 24/7 Wall St.

Billionaire investors are known for their research, investing acumen, and the ability to identify a golden investment opportunity at the right time. Many hedge fund managers have reached the top of the industry through their investment picks. Hedge fund investors love exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and they make buy and sell transactions each quarter. Diving into their 13F records can give an insight into what the billionaires are betting on. 

We’ve noticed a trend in the third quarter 13F filings; we see several billionaires loading up on Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ). I think it is an excellent ETF for the long term and here’s why I find it so appealing. 

Invesco QQQ Trust

The Invesco QQQ Trust tracks the performance of the Nasdaq 100 index and gives access to the 100 largest non-financial companies on the index. It was ranked in the top 1% of the large-cap growth funds for a 15-year total return. 

QQQ gives access to the top 100 tech stocks in a single ETF. It invests in a range of sectors but is heavily tech-focused. The fund is rebalanced quarterly and reconstituted annually. The Invesco QQQ Trust is a weighted capitalization ETF which means that the companies with a larger market cap have a higher weightage in the ETF.

 

Hedge funds are betting on QQQ

• Citadel Advisors increased its position in the ETF by 0.59%, taking the total portfolio to 4.04%. 
• Further, Elliott Investment Management increased its position by 3.3%, taking the total holding to 5.28%. 
• Point72 Asset Management increased its stake by 1.56%. 
• McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management bought 7,685 shares of the ETF worth $4.40 million.

Why QQQ is soaring in 2025

This ETF is heavily tech-focused and since the tech sector has generated significant returns in the past five years, QQQ has rewarded investors with capital appreciation. It has gained 20.39% in 2025 and is exchanging hands for $614.27. 

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.20%, which means you pay only $20 for an investment of $10,000. It has the highest allocation in the technology sector (64.03%), consumer discretionary (18.29%), and healthcare (4.21%). Its top 10 holdings constitute 53.86% of the portfolio and hold the Magnificent Seven, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla, Broadcom, and Meta Platforms. Investors will have access to the leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies that are driving the industry. 

While the ETF doesn’t have a high dividend yield, it ensures capital appreciation, and the diversified portfolio can prove to be a worthwhile choice as the market improves. This is a fund built for growth and not for income investors.

The ETF has outperformed the major indexes 

QQQ has generated a cumulative 3-year return of 103.78% and a 5-year return of 140.85%. One big reason to own the ETF is the tech-heavy portfolio. Since technology sectors are outperforming other sectors in 2025, QQQ can prove to be a great bet. It has outperformed the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite this year. 

The Invesco QQQ Trust is a cheap way to gain tech exposure and invest in companies that lead the market. If you are ready to hold the investment for the next few years, QQQ is worth holding as your biggest investment. 

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32.

This International ETF Might Be a Better Buy Than the VOO or QQQ

2025-11-28 15:54:35 by Joey Frenette from 24/7 Wall St.

The international ETFs have had quite the impressive year, outperforming the likes of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:VOO) as well as the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) so far this year while rolling over far fewer bumps in the road. Undoubtedly, time will tell how much longer the international ETFs can outperform the S&P 500 or Nasdaq 100. Either way, the valuations still look quite stellar with the ETFs that go above and beyond the U.S. market.

So, if you're one of many investors who are ready to diversify geographically to new markets that might have the edge on valuation, perhaps it's time to give the international ETF roster a second look now that they're showing signs that they can keep up with America's best indices. Of course, I'm not against foregoing international exposure if you're fine with the valuations and the heaviness in the Magnificent Seven indices.

If the Mag Seven trade runs out of steam, the U.S. indices might be dragged down as international ETFs maintain their newfound momentum

The Nasdaq 100 index, in particular, is a cheap way to become overweight in the Magnificent Seven names, which are bound to soar higher if the AI trade is due for another leg higher. Though the performance of the seven names will vary, I do think that the group remains one of the most powerful forces in AI as many of the top players race to achieve some form of superintelligence over the coming decade.

When it comes to the superintelligence race, there's a lot on the line. And that makes the Mag Seven worth owning, even if they're pricier, and doubts grow about their ability to monetize the jarring level of spending they're doing.

Though I have confidence in the Mag Seven, investors must also be ready to invest beyond America, if not for diversification, to invest in the other AI innovators out there that also stand to win in the global AI race. And, yes, it's a global race that could have big winners abroad. 

Here is one of the top international ETFs that is firing on all cylinders, which also has intriguing, lower-cost AI names in the mix that U.S. investors might find they're underexposed to going into the new year.

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VEA) is one of the most popular international ETFs to go with if you want to keep your fees low and you want exposure to developed (as opposed to emerging) markets only. Given the AI boom is likely to power the developed markets more robustly in the initial stages, I'd argue that an ETF like the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF is worth standing by. Year to date, the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF has raced ahead of the S&P and Nasdaq 100, gaining around 29% year to date.

With lower valuations and a good dose, a very well-balanced mix (most holdings comprise less than 1% of the fund) of names, including non-U.S. AI innovators like European semi equipment maker ASML (NASDAQ:AMSL), diversified South Korean tech titan Samsung, and Canada's e-commerce AI firm Shopify (NYSE:SHOP), you're getting a lot from such a low-cost international ETF.

Given all the ETF can add to an S&P 500-heavy portfolio, I'd not be afraid to buy as the international names might just have the edge in the new year, as investors grow more cautious of the high-multiple growth stocks, as well as the Mag Seven, which might not be the easy way to outperform anymore.

Sure, one S&P-beating year doesn't mean that the tides have changed. However, if you've got too much exposure to the Mag Seven and want an ETF that can do well, even if the AI trade wobbles a bit, the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF is an excellent portfolio diversifier that might just help you do better as investors look to take on more of a value tilt.

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33.

Exchange-Traded Funds Edge Higher, Equity Futures Frozen Pre-Bell Friday as CME Outage Slowly Resolves

2025-11-28 13:51:14 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.2% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.3% higher in Friday's premarket activity as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange slowly begins reopening markets.

CME Group (CME) early Friday said it halted trading across its markets due to a cooling issue at its CyrusOne data centers. The outage reportedly impacted stock futures, treasuries, commodities, and several other asset classes.

US stock futures were higher before the freeze, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.2% before the start of regular trading.

Stocks market will close early at 1 pm ET on Friday.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 0.1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 2.1% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 0.9%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) retreated marginally by 0.01%.

Power Play:

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.1%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was flat while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was up 0.5%.

Tilray Brands' (TLRY) stock was down more than 13% premarket after the company unveiled a reverse stock split.

Winners and Losers:

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) were flat. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) was flat. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) was flat.

Chagee (CHA) shares were up more than 2% pre-bell after the company declared a special cash dividend of $0.92 per ordinary share or American depositary share.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) was flat. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.5%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.2% lower.

Coinbase Global (COIN) shares were up more than 2% pre-bell following news reports that Cathie Wood's ARK Invest bought 62,166 Coinbase shares valued at about $15.8 million.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) gained 0.5%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was flat, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 1%. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) rose 2.9%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) increased by 0.7%.

Oracle (ORCL) shares were down more than 2% in recent premarket activity after the Financial Times reported late Thursday that the company and data center builder Vantage are in talks with a group of banks for another $38 billion loan to finance further Microsoft-backed (MSFT) OpenAI sites.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) advanced 0.2% while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) were inactive.

Ryanair (RYAAY) stock was down more than 1% before the opening bell after the company said it will end its eight-month-old premium subscription service, effective immediately.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was flat, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was up by 0.3%.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was 0.7% higher at $59.08 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 2% at $4.65 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) advanced by 0.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.6% higher.

Ahead of the CME outage, gold futures for February gained by 0.5% to reach $$4,221 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were up by 1.7% at $53.82 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 1%.

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34.

Exchange-Traded Funds Rise as US Equities Advance After Midday

2025-11-26 18:11:01 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was up 1.1%.

US equity indexes rose in midday trading on Wednesday, extending gains amid advances in government bond yields.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each added about 1.3%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) rose 1.4%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.2% higher, while iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) gained 1.1%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) climbed 1.9%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) rose 3%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 1.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 3.3%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), fell 3.4%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 0.3% higher, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) added 0.3%. Natural gas gained 2%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) climbed 2.1%.

Gold on Comex added 0.6%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.9%. Silver gained 4.7%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 3.6% up.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) added 1.2%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) also advanced.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 0.7%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was up 1.2%, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) gained 1.7%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) fell 0.1%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were mixed, with the latter rising; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 0.7%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) climbed 0.9%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were higher as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was up 2.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) added 2.8%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) rose 3.7%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 0.7% higher.

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35.

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell Wednesday Ahead of Key Economic Data Deluge

2025-11-26 13:29:09 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.3% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.4% higher in Wednesday's premarket activity as investors await a deluge of key economic data.

US stock futures were also higher, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.2%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures advancing 0.03%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 0.3% before the start of regular trading.

US mortgage applications edged up 0.2% in the week ended Nov. 21 as stronger demand for new home loans offset a drop in refinancing, Mortgage Bankers Association data showed Wednesday. This followed a 5.2% fall in the previous week.

Reports releasing at 8:30 am ET include the durable goods report, the GDP report, the international trade in goods bulletin, the weekly jobless claims report, and the retail and wholesale inventories reports.

The November Chicago PMI report will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by the October new home sales bulletin and the personal income and outlays data at 10 am ET.

The weekly EIA petroleum status report posts at 10:30 am ET, followed by the Atlanta Fed Survey of Business Uncertainty for November report at 11 am ET.

The weekly EIA natural gas report is released at 12 pm, and the weekly Baker Hughes domestic oil-and-gas rig count posts at 1:00 PM ET.

The Beige Book, the Federal Reserve's compendium of business and economic reports from the 12 branches, posts at 2 pm ET.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 1%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated 1%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was marginally lower by 0.02%.

Power Play:

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was up 0.1%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was flat. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) gained 0.4%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was inactive, while the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) advanced 0.1%.

Li Auto (LI) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after the company reported a Q3 non-GAAP net loss and lower revenue.

Winners and Losers:

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) advanced 0.1%, the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.2%, and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was inactive.

Deere (DE) stock was down more than 5% before the opening bell after the company posted lower fiscal Q4 earnings.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advanced 0.1%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.2%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was inactive.

Grupo Supervielle SA (SUPV) shares were down more than 8% pre-bell after BofA Securities downgraded the company's stock to neutral from buy.

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.04%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was 0.4% lower, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) gained by 0.4%. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) advanced marginally by 0.02%.

BeOne Medicine (ONC) stock was up more than 2% premarket after the company said the US Food and Drug Administration accepted and granted priority review to its sonrotoclax application to treat adults with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma after treatment with a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) was up 0.3%, the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.3% higher, and the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) advanced by 0.2%. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained 0.1%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.3%.

Uber Technologies (UBER) shares were up more than 1% and WeRide (WRD) stock was 0.5% higher in recent premarket activity after the companies said Wednesday that they have launched level 4 fully driverless robotaxi commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was marginally down by 0.01%.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down by 0.2% at $57.83 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was up 2.9% at $4.61 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) retreated by 0.2%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was nearly 3% higher.

Gold futures for February gained by 0.5% to reach $4,197.20 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were up by 1.9% at $52.60 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.5%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) rose by 1.5%.

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36.

Nasdaq 100: Who's In And Who's Out Of QQQ. Walmart, Strategy, Lululemon?

2025-11-26 13:08:10 by JED GRAHAM from Investor's Business Daily

The Nasdaq 100 index's annual reconstitution is a couple of weeks away, but market valuations at the end of this week will determine changes. So the outcome is almost set. Walmart surprised Wall Street last week with the news it will move its WMT listing to the Nasdaq.

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37.

Exchange-Traded Funds, US Equities Higher After Midday

2025-11-25 18:14:18 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

Broad Market Indicators

Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV were higher. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was up 0.5%.

US equity indexes rose after midday on Tuesday amid declines in consumer confidence and retail sales.

Energy

iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each lost about 0.8%.

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) eased 0.1%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.1% softer, while iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) gained 0.3%.

SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) fell 0.5%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) dipped 0.3%.

Financial

The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was up 1.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 3.4%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), fell 3.5%.

Commodities

Crude oil was 1.9% lower, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) fell 2.1%. Natural gas dropped 5%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) declined 4%.

Gold on Comex added 1.5%, and SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) rose 0.5%. Silver gained 1.3%, and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.2% lower.

Consumer

Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) added 1.1%. The Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) and iShares Dow Jones US Consumer Goods (IYK) also advanced.

Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) rose 2.1%. VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) was up 2.1%, and SPDR S&P Retail (XRT) added 4.8%.

Health Care

Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) gained 2.1%, and iShares US Healthcare (IYH) and Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) were also higher; iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) climbed 1.1%.

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) climbed 1.1%. Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) and iShares US Industrials (IYJ) were higher as well.

Cryptocurrency

In midday activity, bitcoin (BTC-USD) was down 1.4%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, ProShares Bitcoin ETF (BITO) fell 1.6%, ProShares Ether ETF (EETH) slipped 1.2%, and ProShares Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) was 1.9% lower.

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38.

Exchange-Traded Funds Higher, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Tuesday Ahead of Delayed Data Releases

2025-11-25 13:29:14 by MT Newswires from MT Newswires

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.1% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.03% higher in Tuesday's premarket activity, ahead of key economic data releases that were delayed during the government shutdown.

US stock futures were lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.1%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.01%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.2% before the start of regular trading.

The delayed producer price index and retail sales report, both for September, are scheduled to be released at 8:30 am ET.

The Case-Shiller Home Price Index and the FHFA House Price Index, both for September, will be released at 9 am ET.

The Consumer Confidence report for November, the business inventories report for August, the National Association of Realtors pending home sales index for October, and the Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index for November are slated for a 10 am ET release.

In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 1.9%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.9% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 2.1%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) fell by 1.6%.

Power Play:

Technology

Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) retreated 0.7%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 0.5% lower, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 0.4%. Among semiconductor ETFs, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) fell 0.8%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) declined by 0.3%.

Pony AI (PONY) shares were up more than 7% in recent premarket activity after the company posted a narrowed Q3 non-GAAP net loss and higher revenue.

Winners and Losers:

Industrial

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) retreated 0.1%, the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was down 0.3% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.

EHang (EH) stock was down nearly 3% before the opening bell. The company plans to post Q3 financial results before the market opens on Wednesday.

Energy

The iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) was inactive, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) was down by 0.7%.

Diversified Energy (DEC) stock was up more than 3% before Tuesday's opening bell after the company said Monday it had closed the acquisition of Canvas Energy for about $550 million.

Health Care

The Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) advanced 0.2%. The Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) advanced 0.04%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was flat. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) gained 0.3%.

Novartis AG (NVS) stock was up more than 2% premarket after Reuters reported that the company plans to cut up to 550 full-time jobs by the end of 2027 at its Stein facility in northern Switzerland. On Monday, Novartis said that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved itvisma to treat spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA.

Consumer

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) was up 0.2%, while the Vanguard Consumer Staples Fund (VDC) was 1.2% higher. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive, and the Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) lost 0.1%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.

Alibaba Group (BABA) shares were up more than 3% pre-bell after the company posted higher fiscal Q2 revenue.

Financial

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) advanced 0.4%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.8%, while its bearish counterpart Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ) was 0.4% lower.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) shares were down more than 1% pre-bell after Jefferies downgraded the company's stock to hold from buy.

Commodities

Front-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined by 0.9% to $58.09 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas was down 3.1% at $4.41 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) retreated by 2.3%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) fell by 2.5%.

Gold futures for February gained by 0.9% to reach $4,169.00 an ounce on the Comex, and silver futures were up by 1.2% at $51.57 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) advanced by 0.1%, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) was 0.3% lower.

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39.

RBC Capital Initiates Coverage of Axon Enterprise (AXON) with ‘Outperform’, $860 PT

2025-11-25 13:27:54 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON)  is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 17, RBC Capital initiated coverage of Axon with an Outperform rating and $860 price target. This sentiment came out as RBC Capital believes that Axon is expected to sustain its 25% revenue growth due to a strong position in a large and growing addressable market.

Earlier the same month, the company released its Q3 2025 earnings report, where Axon Enterprise disclosed that it generated a total revenue of $711 million, which was a 31% increase year-over-year. This performance was led by the SaaS segment, which grew 41% year-over-year to $305 million. Connected Devices revenue also saw an increase of 24% year-over-year to $405 million.

Key product growth drivers included TASER 10, which led to a 17% TASER Revenue Growth, and Axon Body 4, driving a 20% Personal Sensors Revenue Growth. The Platform Solutions Revenue saw the most rapid expansion, surging 71%, driven by counter-drone technology, virtual reality, and fleet products. Additionally, the company’s ARR grew 41% to $1.3 billion, with net revenue retention remaining strong at 124%. For Q4, Axon provided revenue guidance of $750 to $755 million with a full-year revenue guidance of ~$2.74 billion (representing 31% growth at the midpoint).

Axon Enterprise Inc. (NASDAQ:AXON) develops, manufactures, and sells conducted energy devices/CEDs under the TASER brand in the US and internationally. It operates through two segments: Software & Sensors and TASER.

While we acknowledge the potential of AXON as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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40.

Jefferies Upgrades DoorDash (DASH) to ‘Buy’ with $260 PT, Cites Investment Flexibility, Long-Term AI Platform Potential

2025-11-25 13:27:52 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

DoorDash Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 19, Jefferies analyst John Colantuoni upgraded DoorDash to Buy from Hold with a price target of $260, which was also upgraded from $220. Colantuoni noted that DoorDash’s lower-than-expected 2026 outlook is beneficial, as it gives the company flexibility for long-term investments and creates potential upside for consensus estimates.

The company is anticipated to make a revenue of ~$17.87 billion for the full-year 2026, with EPS coming around $6.32. Earlier the same month, DoorDash reported that the company generated $3.45 billion in net sales for Q3 2025, which was up 27.35% and beat estimates by $89.10 million. The company’s EPS for the quarter stood at $1.28, which was $0.03 higher than the guidance.

One of the company’s current core strategies is a multi-million-dollar investment in building a new global tech platform in 2026 to unify the tech stack across all markets, making it AI-native to streamline operations, enhance product development, and ultimately lead to long-term cost savings. The decision to build a single architecture was driven by the need for efficiency and faster global feature rollouts, particularly given advancements in AI.

DoorDash Inc. (NASDAQ:DASH) operates a commerce platform that connects merchants, consumers, and independent contractors in the US and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of DASH as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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41.

Truist Cautious on Microchip Technology (MCHP) After Q3 Beat But Below-Consensus Q4 Guidance

2025-11-25 13:27:50 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ:MCHP) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 10, Truist analyst William Stein lowered the firm’s price target on Microchip to $60 from $64 while maintaining a Hold rating on the shares. This decision was made as the firm noted that the company beat Q3 2025 modestly, but guided Q4 somewhat below consensus.

In its Q3 report, the company announced that its net sales for the December quarter were $1.026 billion, which was a sequential drop of 11.8% and a steep 41.9% year-over-year decline. This broad-based weakness was noted across all major geographies and product lines, including microcontrollers and analog. The company reported a Non-GAAP net income of $107.3 million, which led to Non-GAAP EPS of $0.20.

Looking ahead, the company guided for the March quarter net sales to be between $920 million and $1 billion. Despite the near-term difficulties, Microchip is focused on innovation and efficiency. The company introduced a new generation of 64-bit RISC-V processors with advanced AI capabilities, which has seen a strong initial customer response. It also expanded its Wi-Fi portfolio with 20 new products for secure wireless connectivity and achieved the highest level of space certification for its radiation-hardened chips.

Microchip Technology Incorporated (NASDAQ:MCHP) develops, manufactures, and sells smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It operates through two segments: Semiconductor Products and Technology Licensing.

While we acknowledge the potential of MCHP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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42.

Wells Fargo Remains Cautious on CoStar Group (CSGP) but Sees Rival Lawsuits as Neutral to Positive News

2025-11-25 13:27:47 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

CoStar Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CSGP) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 17, Wells Fargo lowered the firm’s price target on CoStar Group to $60 from $70 and kept an Underweight rating on the shares. Wells Fargo’s sentiment was announced after the firm spoke with Lawrence Frankel, a former government antitrust lawyer, to understand the potential impact of new lawsuits filed by the Federal Trade Commission/FTC and Compass against Zillow and Redfin. Wells Fargo believes that these lawsuits are neutral to slightly good news for CoStar.

In other news, CoStar Group recently released its Q3 2025 earnings report, where the company disclosed making $834 million in revenue, which was a 20% year-over-year increase. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 51% to $115 million. Total net new bookings saw massive growth and reached $84 million, up 92%.

CoStar faced several challenges in the said quarter, including the previously mentioned significant legal challenges against competitor Zillow, including CoStar’s $1 billion-plus copyright infringement claim and the FTC’s antitrust suit against Zillow and Redfin over rental advertising, which could alter the competitive market. The company also faces the resource strain of integrating new acquisitions like Domain and allocating resources to AI technologies, which may not yield immediate returns.

CoStar Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CSGP) provides information, analytics, and online marketplace services in the US, Canada, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

While we acknowledge the potential of CSGP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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43.

RBC Capital Cautious on Charter (CHTR) After Q3 Miss on Broadband Subscribers, EBITDA

2025-11-25 13:27:45 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. Earlier on November 3, RBC Capital analyst Jonathan Atkin lowered the firm’s price target on Charter to $265 from $325 with a Sector Perform rating on the shares. This sentiment was posted after the company posted its Q3 2025 earnings result, where Atkin pointed out that the company’s third-quarter EBITDA and broadband subscriber numbers missed estimates. RBC Capital has since lowered its forecasts for broadband subscribers and ARPU, anticipating increased competition.

In Q3, the company experienced a 1% year-over-year decline in revenue, which totaled $13.67 billion, primarily due to customer losses and a challenging comparison to the prior year’s political advertising revenue. EBITDA declined by 1.5% year-over-year, though it was flat when excluding the advertising segment. Net income for the quarter was $1.1 billion, down from $1.3 billion in the previous year.

Despite the revenue decline, Charter saw significant positive growth in its mobile segment, adding 493,000 mobile lines, which marked over 20% year-over-year growth and contributed to a 4% growth in total connectivity revenue over the last 12 months. The company also reported a notable improvement in its video business, reducing Video Customer losses to 70,000, a vast improvement from the 294,000 lost in the same quarter last year. However, the company also lost 109,000 Internet Customers in Q3.

Charter Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) operates as a broadband connectivity and cable operator company serving residential and commercial customers in the US.

While we acknowledge the potential of CHTR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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44.

Baird Cuts Copart (CPRT) PT to 52 Due to Persistent Insurance Industry Headwinds

2025-11-25 13:27:42 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

Copart Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 21, Baird cut the firm’s price target on Copart to $52 from $55 and kept an Outperform rating on the shares. This sentiment was posted as a part of the firm’s broader update on its model as insurance headwinds persist.

In other news, Copart also posted its Q3 2025 earnings report on the same day, where the company disclosed making a total revenue for the quarter increased just under 1% year-over-year to $1.16 billion, but showed 2.9% growth when excluding the non-recurrence of catastrophic events from the prior year. This led to a gross profit increase of 4.9% to $537 million, with the gross margin improving by 1.84% to 46.5%. Net income rose by 11.5% to $404 million, and EPS increased by 10.8% to $0.41.

Profitability for the said quarter was largely driven by an increase in average selling prices/ASPs and auction liquidity. Global insurance ASPs grew by 6.8%, with US insurance ASPs reaching an all-time high, increasing by 8.4% from the prior year. This price strength contributed to a 12.3% increase in gross profit per fee unit and a higher US Gross Margin of 48.7%.

Copart Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT) provides online auctions and vehicle remarketing services in the US, the UK, Germany, Brazil, Canada, the UAE, Spain, Finland, Oman, the Republic of Ireland, and Bahrain.

While we acknowledge the potential of CPRT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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45.

Microsoft, NVIDIA, Anthropic Announce Major AI Partnership; Meta Commits $5B Investment, Claude Model Scaling on Azure

2025-11-25 13:27:39 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 18, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Anthropic announced a series of new strategic partnerships focusing on scaling Anthropic’s rapidly growing Claude AI model, which involves Anthropic adopting NVIDIA architecture and both Microsoft and NVIDIA investing in the company.

Anthropic is scaling its Claude AI model on Microsoft Azure, which is powered by NVIDIA infrastructure. This move is expected to broaden access to Claude and provide Azure enterprise customers with expanded model choice and new capabilities. As part of this commitment, Anthropic has agreed to purchase $30 billion of Microsoft Azure compute capacity and contract for additional capacity up to one gigawatt.

Furthermore, Microsoft and Anthropic are expanding their existing partnership to offer broader access to Claude for businesses. Microsoft has committed to investing up to $5 billion in Anthropic. Customers of Microsoft Foundry will gain access to Anthropic’s frontier Claude models, including Claude Sonnet 4.5, Claude Opus 4.1, and Claude Haiku 4.5. This collaboration will make Claude the only frontier model available across all three of the world’s most prominent cloud services. Microsoft also committed to continuing access for Claude across its Copilot family.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide.

While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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46.

Oppenheimer Downgrades T-Mobile (TMUS) to ‘Perform’, Removes PT Due to Subscriber Growth Concerns, Heightened Competition

2025-11-25 13:27:37 by Maham Fatima from Insider Monkey

T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) is one of the best QQQ stocks to buy according to Wall Street analysts. On November 21, Oppenheimer downgraded T-Mobile to Perform from Outperform, while removing the firm’s $300 price target on the shares. Oppenheimer suspects that T-Mobile will struggle to exceed subscriber and free cash flow estimates, given its decade of exceptional market share gains and margin expansion. The firm forecasts that overall industry subscriber growth is slowing, which will heighten competition that is expected to persist for 12 to 24 months.

Earlier in its Q3 2025 earnings call, the company reported achieving its best-ever total postpaid net additions, including over 1 million postpaid phone net additions. This led the company to raise its total postpaid net additions guidance to a range of 7.2 to 7.4 million for the full year, an increase of over 1 million at the midpoint. The company made a total of $21.96 billion in revenue, which was an 8.90% increase year-over-year, although it missed Street estimates by $7.29 million. The company also made $2.77 in EPS, which exceeded guidance by $0.20.

T-Mobile’s 5G broadband business added 500,000+ customers, and the company also added 50,000+ new customers to its fiber business. Consequently, the fiber customer net additions guidance was raised to ~130,000, up from the previous 100,000.

T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) provides wireless communications services in the US, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. The company offers voice, messaging, and data services to postpaid, prepaid, and wholesale & other services customers.

While we acknowledge the potential of TMUS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

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47.

Is Dow Jones ETF Better-Placed Than S&P 500 & Nasdaq?

2025-11-25 11:00:00 by Sanghamitra Saha from Zacks

Wall Street has been seesawing for quite some time now due to rising artificial intelligence (AI) concerns. SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust DIA has lost about 2% over the past month (as of Nov. 21, 2025) versus a 2.7% decline in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY and a 4.4% slump in the Nasdaq-100-based Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ.

Further Policy Easing in the Cards?

New York Federal Reserve President John Williams signaled the possibility of another interest-rate cut later this year. In a speech delivered in Santiago, Chile, Williams said monetary policy remains “modestly restrictive,” though less so after recent rate cuts, as quoted on CNBC.

He added that there is still room for a near-term move toward a more neutral stance. No wonder, traders increased their bets on another quarter-point cut, with Fed funds futures pricing in about a 75% probability on Nov. 24, 2025 (at the time of writing), up sharply from 42.4% a week earlier, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

Investors should note that the Fed has cut rates twice so far this year, with the easing action beginning in September. Lower borrowing costs could spur consumer spending and boost consumer-focused companies that have strong placements in the Dow Jones index.

Why Dow Jones May Be Better-Positioned Than Nasdaq?

Artificial intelligence-related stocks continued their volatile run in recent times. The AI space, in any case, has been under pressure in recent times due to bubble concerns. Analysts are divided in their opinions about AI overvaluation, as mentioned on a CNBC article.

Since the Nasdaq is tech-heavy followed by the S&P 500, and the Dow Jones has lesser tech exposure, AI valuations are likely to bother the Dow Jones to a lesser extent. Information technology takes about 20% of the portfolio, while the S&P 500 takes about 35% of the fund, and the Nasdaq-100 comprises about 65% of the portfolio. 

Healthcare Sector Gaining Prominence

The healthcare sector has received a boost lately as investors have rotated to non-cyclical and lower-valuation sectors for diversification from the tech space. Note that Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund XLV gas gained about 2.2% over the past month (as of Nov. 21, 2025). The healthcare sector has about 13% exposure to the fund DIA.

Financials Flexing Muscles

The Dow Jones’ potential rally could be backed by strength in the banking and financial stocks. Note that State Street SPDR S&P Bank ETF KBE has lost about 0.2% over the past month (as of Nov. 21, 2025). Further rate cuts may steepen the yield curve and boost banking stocks. Financial stocks command about 27.28% of the Dow Jones.

Will the Dow Jones Rally Last?

The stock market’s recent revival has been aided by optimism around the shutdown resolution. However, along with many analysts, we also believe that the continuation of the rally will depend on upcoming economic data points. Investors will soon refocus on fundamentals.

Bottom Line

So, overall, the Dow Jones’ performance should be good in the near term, if not great. Its limited focus on tech stocks may now favor the index. Investors can keep a close tab on the DIA ETF. However, if the Fed continues to cut rates ahead, the Nasdaq may again flex its muscles, subsiding all AI bubble fears and top the Dow Jones.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

Invesco QQQ (QQQ): ETF Research Reports

SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): ETF Research Reports

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (DIA): ETF Research Reports

Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV): ETF Research Reports

State Street SPDR S&P Bank ETF (KBE): ETF Research Reports

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

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48.

2025 ETF Inflows Reach New Record as VOO IEMG Attract Cash

2025-11-25 01:47:55 by Sumit Roy from etf.com

Investors added $41 billion to U.S.-listed ETFs during the week ending Nov. 21, according to data from Bloomberg. Year-to-date inflows climbed to a fresh record of $1.22 trillion, extending what is already the biggest year in ETF history.

The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) led all funds with $7.7 billion of inflows, pushing its year-to-date haul to $120 billion. 

Value ETFs also made a strong showing on the weekly leaderboard. The iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (IVE) took the No. 3 spot with $3.8 billion, bringing its total for the year to $8.1 billion, while the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV) added $1 billion, lifting its 2025 intake to $10.1 billion.

The interest comes even as value stocks continue to lag the broader market. IVE is up 10% this year and VTV has gained 11.6%, compared to a 15% return for VOO.

Value wasn’t the only factor drawing fresh cash. The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) brought in $1.4 billion for the week and has gathered $4.1 billion year-to-date. MTUM is up 18% in 2025, comfortably ahead of the S&P 500.

International equities also saw strong demand. The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) took in $1.5 billion last week and has pulled in $15.3 billion this year. Emerging markets have outperformed U.S. stocks in 2025, and IEMG’s 28% gain is nearly double VOO’s return.

The Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL) also cracked the top 10 with $1.2 billion of inflows. From October’s high to last Thursday’s low, the leveraged chip ETF fell 38%, a pullback some traders viewed as a buying opportunity.

On the fixed income side, the iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) and the Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) ranked among the most popular funds of the week with inflows of $2.3 billion and $1 billion, respectively. The flows come as investors continue to position for an expected Fed rate cut next month.

IBIT Sheds Assets

On the outflows side, the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) led with $3.1 billion. The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) followed, each shedding $1.4 billion. IWM and QUAL have underperformed this year with gains of 9.4%, while QQQ is up 19%.

Other notable weekly outflows included the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), which saw $1.1 billion leave the fund. Bitcoin prices have been lagging and recently touched $80,500, about 36% below the record high of $125,000 set last month.

Investors also pulled $775 million from the iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The 30-year Treasury yield was last around 4.68%, roughly 10 basis points lower than where it started the year.


 Source: Bloomberg 

 

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49.

Beyond the Tariff Storm: Nasdaq-100®’s Blueprint for Resilience

2025-11-24 22:10:38 by Nasdaq Global Indexes from etf.com

Market Update

As of late August 2025, the economic environment remains uncertain with effective tariff rates now around 15-20% on average across all US imports. A resolution to tariff uncertainty has mostly arrived with lower-than-feared rates for many major trading partners, while elevated rates and uncertainty remain for Canada (35%), Switzerland (39%), Brazil (50%), and India (50%). China negotiations are ongoing, while new sector-specific tariffs continue to loom over pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Economic data have recently become notably weaker, with inflation creeping up across goods while remaining subdued among services; however, the latter seemingly is reflecting headwinds to economic growth, thanks to slowing consumer spending and jobs growth.

The uncertainties around tariffs in 1Q’25, followed by the unveiling of more concrete proposals on Liberation Day (April 2), triggered severe drawdowns across most equity benchmarks both in the US and globally, with the Nasdaq-100 Index® (NDX®) briefly entering a bear market after a peak-to-trough decline of 23%. Since the lows on April 8th, NDX has outperformed with a gain of 36%, helped by a combination of softening tariff policies but also thanks to better-than-expected fundamentals reported throughout the most recent earnings season covering activity in 2Q’25. With 86 companies having reported by August 20, NDX is on track for YoY earnings growth of 34%, well ahead of estimates of 22% and triple the rate of the S&P 500 (11.6%), demonstrating the index’s unique resilience against macro headwinds¹.

Cost of Goods Sold: The Key to Understanding Tariff Exposure

_{Source: Nasdaq, Factset. Bubbles sized by index weight of each ICB Industry in the respective indexes.}

The Nasdaq-100 is known for its overweight exposure to the technology sector, but overall it is more akin to a benchmark for the services-heavy “new economy” which encompasses Tech (more services than physical goods-driven, other than Hardware), Consumer Discretionary (overweight to more service-oriented companies within the space), and Healthcare (mostly biotech). The index’s exposure to these three innovation and services-heavy sectors (80-85%, on average) has been key to its fundamental and return outperformance over the past two decades, as well as during the most recent macroeconomic headwinds. Its relatively low ratio of Cost-of-Goods-Sold (COGS) as a percentage of Revenue – 50% vs. 65% for the S&P 500, based on full-year 2024 data – ensured an enhanced degree of insulation against cost input pressures as the implementation of tariffs began in 2Q’25. Even within the same sectors, the Nasdaq-100 registers lower COGS/Revenue ratios than the S&P 500, with a ratio of only 30% for its Health Care companies (vs. 54% for S&P 500 Health Care), 54% for Consumer Staples (vs. 80% for S&P 500), and 62% for Consumer Discretionary (vs. 69% for S&P 500).

Getting down a level deeper, the Nasdaq-100’s top three exposures by ICB Subsector (Semiconductors, Software, and Consumer Digital Services) all rank within the lowest quintile by COGS sensitivity across the 120 subsectors present in the S&P 500, with COGS/Revenue ratios of 46%, 28%, and 35% respectively. After the initial announcement of tariffs, many technology stocks sold off significantly, particularly within the Computer Hardware subsector as most of their supply chains are based in Southeast Asia and China. Semiconductor stocks also sold off but to a lesser degree, while Software sold off the least. Under the current tariff regime, only physical goods are tariffed, with services largely exempt. 

NDX Megacaps’ Exposure to Tariffs 

While the largest NDX companies are vulnerable to tariffs and have seen varied responses since the original announcement, the long-term outlook remains favorable due to consistently strong fundamentals. Some of these companies have taken steps to mitigate the impacts, most notably by diversifying their supply chains to countries with lower tariff rates. Recent earnings from Apple (54% COGS/Revenue ratio) and Amazon (51%) point to a high degree of resiliency against tariffs. In the most recent quarter, Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy reported that tariffs have not had a major impact on their business thus far in 2025, and that the company has not seen diminishing demand or appreciating prices; its tariff exposure is largely tied to its third-party seller platform. Apple, which was marred by tariff fears in recent months, posted its strongest revenue growth since 2021 as its iPhone sales surpassed estimates. Tariffs impacted the company less than expected, costing Apple around $800 million vs. the $900 million that was initially guided in the prior quarter, as the company shifts more of its supply chains away from China towards India and Vietnam. Apple expects tariffs to add $1.1 billion in costs in the coming quarter – a rather paltry figure compared to average quarterly revenues of nearly $100 billion. Tesla is by far the best example of a large NDX company with a high degree of sensitivity to COGS (ratio of 82%), but thanks to its highly localized supply chains, appears much less impacted than non-NDX competitors like Ford and GM. The remaining names in this group – Meta Platforms (18%), Microsoft (30%), Google (42%), and Nvidia (27%) – are heavily insulated as they do little manufacturing and importing relative to their massive, high-margin service businesses in software, advertising, cloud computing and artificial intelligence that are driving their current growth.

2Q 2025 Earnings Illustrate Tariffs’ Varied Impacts

With the 2Q’25 earnings season winding down, analysts have their first pieces of hard evidence indicating how tariffs are impacting margins and earnings. As per Goldman Sachs research, companies are expected to ultimately pass ~70% of tariff costs to consumers, with business surveys pointing to lower pass-through of tariff costs thus far². As predicted by our analysis on COGS sensitivity, there are stark differences in the earnings growth rates reported across sectors in the Nasdaq-100. Most goods-heavy sectors are reporting either negative (Consumer Staples, -7%; Industrials -2%) or low single digit positive (Basic Materials, 5%; Energy, 2%) earnings growth. This stands in contrast with the services-focused sectors with less tariff exposure, which are all on track for positive growth, with four sectors reporting double-digit positive growth (Technology, 30%; Consumer Discretionary, 115%; Health Care, 68%; Real Estate, 18%).

The chart below breaks down the services-based and goods-based subsectors of Consumer Discretionary and Technology, which are the two biggest sector exposures in the Nasdaq-100 and have a unique mix of tariff-resilient companies. Amazon for example is still considered a Diversified Retailer, even though it earns nearly the same amount of revenue from services businesses like Amazon Web Services, Advertising, and Subscriptions as it does from Online Retailing. Overall, Amazon reported a 35% YoY growth in earnings in the most recent quarter, driving the overall rate of growth for the Diversified Retailers subsector to a healthy 34% despite being “goods-focused.” Electronic Entertainment and Travel & Tourism also fared well, with growth rates of 21% and 24%, respectively.

Within Technology, Software led with earnings growth of 54%, followed by Semiconductors and its sister subsector, Production Technology Equipment, with growth rates of 35% and 40%, respectively. Computer Hardware lagged with a rate of 8.4%, while Consumer Digital Services notched a healthy 20%.

_{Source: Nasdaq, Factset as of 8/12/2025.}

Revenue Exposure by Geography

One of the more popular theories earlier this year posited that domestically-oriented companies in the US – both in terms of supply chains, and geographical revenue exposure – should be positioned to outperform larger, more globally-exposed companies such as those in the Nasdaq-100. In fact, the opposite has occurred with the Nasdaq-100 up nearly 11% through July 31, 2025, while the domestic-heavy Russell 2000 Index of small caps was down about 1%. Companies that make up the Nasdaq-100 derive about half of their revenues from the United States, followed by Mainland China at 10% (per Factset). And so, while the index is a bit more globally exposed in terms of revenue than the S&P 500 (59% revenue derived inside the US), its more favorable mix of services-oriented companies offsets this one form of geographic risk. To the extent these companies do not use imported components or raw materials, they have low levels of risk from tariff policies despite international revenue exposure.

Nasdaq-100 companies earning significant revenue abroad have been largely insulated due to the absence of retaliatory tariffs by a majority of trade partners – which was not the initial expectation on Liberation Day. China has been the only country of note enacting retaliatory tariffs, making the episode very different from prior trade wars. The index’s international revenue exposure thus may not be very predictive of the overall level of risk to revenues earned outside the US. One caveat worth mentioning is the semiconductor industry, which due to its geopolitical sensitivity has recently become the target of new export taxes, sector-specific tariffs, and varying export restrictions from both the US and China. As the index’s single biggest subsector exposure at 22% (and even a bit higher, once Production Technology Equipment is added in at 2.5%), the semiconductor industry remains a unique source of geopolitical and macroeconomic risk for the Nasdaq-100, to a larger extent than most other broad-based equity benchmarks.

_{Source: Nasdaq, Factset as of June 30, 2025.}

Conclusion

Markets have displayed resilience amid a great deal of tariff uncertainty in 2025. In particular, the Nasdaq-100 experienced an impressive rebound in performance right after registering one of the fastest bear-market drawdowns in its history, culminating on April 8th. Two of the top three subsectors of the Nasdaq-100 – Software and Consumer Digital Services – are fully services-based and therefore much less exposed to tariffs. More broadly speaking, the index’s top sector exposures of Tech, Consumer Discretionary, and Healthcare are all overweight services, and display a lower level of COGS sensitivity than the same sector exposures in the S&P 500. The Nasdaq-100’s overweight of sectors and subsectors less vulnerable to tariffs has helped offset the more acute effects felt by other broader US benchmarks that are more exposed to the “old economy” sectors, driven to a larger degree by the manufacture and/or import of physical inputs and finished goods.

In general, the global nature of the technology industry enables companies like Apple to more nimbly adopt measures that mitigate the impact of tariffs, such as shifting supply chains out of China. The same cannot be said of many domestically oriented companies with more fixed supply chains. As investors navigate the second half of 2025, they may conclude the Nasdaq-100 is fairly immune to prevailing macroeconomic risks due to its track record of resilience against tariff policies, among other headwinds it has faced in recent years.

Sources: Nasdaq Global Indexes, Factset, Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs.

Written by Mark Marex, CFA Head of Index Research Americas, Nasdaq Global Indexes

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Footnotes
1.Returns as of July 31, 2025 unless otherwise noted.
2. https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/us-earnings-will-start-to-show-the-impact-of-trumps-tariffs

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50.

The QQQ ETF Points to What’s Next for Stocks… And You Probably Won’t Like the Answer

2025-11-24 18:54:24 by Rob Isbitts from Barchart

On the date of publication, Rob Isbitts did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com