Sector ETFs - 2025

November 29, 2025

Last Modification

Here’s a curated list of top-performing and widely respected sector ETFs across major industries in 2025, ideal for building thematic exposure or modeling macro-driven setups:

Energy Sector

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
XLE – Energy Select Sector SPDR	Large-cap oil & gas (Exxon, Chevron)	+3.3%
VDE – Vanguard Energy ETF	Broad energy exposure, low cost	+2.9%
XOP – SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration	High beta, small/mid-cap drillers	+5.1%

Defense & Aerospace

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
ITA – iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense	Lockheed, Raytheon, Northrop	+6.8%
XAR – SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense	Equal-weighted, more mid-cap exposure	+7.2%
EUAD – STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense	European defense surge	+73%

Clean Energy & Renewables

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
ICLN – iShares Global Clean Energy	Global solar, wind, storage	-1.2%
QCLN – First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge	U.S.-focused clean tech	+2.4%
DRLL – Strive U.S. Energy ETF	Fossil-heavy with activist tilt	+4.7%

Technology & Innovation

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
XLK – Technology Select Sector SPDR	Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia	+12.5%
SMH – VanEck Semiconductor ETF	Chipmakers like TSMC, AMD, NVDA	+18.3%
ARKK – ARK Innovation ETF	Disruptive tech, high volatility	+9.1%

Precious Metals & Miners

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
SGDM – Sprott Gold Miners ETF	Top performer in 2025	+79%
RING – iShares Global Gold Miners	Global exposure	+102%
SLVP – iShares Global Silver Miners	Explosive silver rally	+102%

Bonus: Niche & International

ETF	Highlights	YTD Return
GREK – Global X MSCI Greece ETF	Reclassification catalyst	+74%
VNM – VanEck Vietnam ETF	Emerging market growth	+55%
PPLT – abrdn Physical Platinum ETF	Commodity-backed	+55%

Rare Earths & Critical Metals ETFs

ETF Name	Ticker	Assets (AUM)	Focus	Key Holdings / Notes
VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF	REMX	~$1.5B	Tracks MVIS Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index	Basket of ~29 global rare earth miners; diversified exposure
Sprott Critical Materials ETF	SETM	N/A (launched 2025)	Pure-play access to critical materials (rare earths, lithium, uranium, silver, copper)	Includes MP Materials, Albemarle, Cameco
Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF	BATT	~$500M	Battery metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths indirectly)	Tesla, Albemarle, Panasonic, mining firms
SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	XME	~$2.3B	U.S. metals & mining stocks	Broad exposure, includes steel, aluminum, copper, some rare earth miners
iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF	PICK	~$806M	Global metals & mining	Diversified across copper, nickel, iron ore, some rare earth exposure
Invesco DB Base Metals Fund	DBB	~$99M	Futures-based ETF	Copper, aluminum, zinc futures — indirect critical metals exposure
U.S. & Allied Rare Earth Supply Chain ETF (proposed)	N/A	Not yet launched	Focused on non-China rare earth supply chain	Proprietary REEx rules; 0% Chinese exposure

Lithium & Battery Supply Chain ETFs

ETF Name	Ticker	AUM (approx.)	Expense Ratio	Focus	Key Holdings / Notes
Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF	LIT	$1.39B	0.75%	Full lithium cycle: mining, refining, battery production	Rio Tinto (19%), Albemarle (6%), Samsung SDI, Panasonic
Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF	BATT	$56M	0.59%	Battery metals & EV supply chain	Tesla, Albemarle, Panasonic
iShares Lithium Miners & Producers ETF	ILIT	$11.9M	0.47%	Pure-play lithium miners & producers	SQM, Albemarle, Pilbara Minerals
ProShares S&P Global Core Battery Metals ETF	ION	$2.6M	0.01%	Core battery metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt)	Global diversified miners
WisdomTree Battery Value Chain & Innovation Fund	WBAT	$2.6M	0.00%	Battery innovation & value chain	Focus on next-gen battery tech
USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund	ZSB	$1.5M	0.01%	Commodity strategy for battery metals	Futures-based exposure
iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF	IBAT	$5.9M	0.00%	Energy storage & materials	Broad clean energy storage exposure

Sector ETF Rotations

Sector rotation is a dynamic investment strategy that involves shifting capital between different sectors of the economy based on macroeconomic cycles, policy shifts, and emerging trends. Rather than holding static exposure, investors tactically reallocate toward sectors poised for outperformance—such as rotating into energy ($XLE) during inflationary spikes or favoring healthcare ($XLB) during economic slowdowns. In 2025, this strategy has evolved beyond traditional cycle-based models, incorporating AI-driven signals, geopolitical sensitivity, and thematic overlays like automation and clean energy. Successful sector rotation hinges on timing, narrative alignment, and the ability to anticipate where institutional flows are headed, often before headlines catch up.