The week ending August 14 brought strong interest in thematic exchange-traded funds, with five of the most-read stories focusing on ETFs linked to current market trends.
Huge flows into derivatives-based ETFs
The most popular story examined the surge in demand for ETFs using derivatives strategies. A recent webinar highlighted funds from T. Rowe Price that employ these tactics to generate income and manage risk.
While these funds are not new, their growing popularity reflects shifts in investor behavior. Derivatives can amplify gains or losses, but when used carefully, they provide tools for hedging or boosting yields that traditional equity exposure cannot.
Related: SPY Sees Weekly Inflows Ending Aug. 13
Momentum strategies stand out in strong year
The second-most-read piece highlighted the strong performance of momentum-focused ETFs. The $22 billion Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO) ranked as the second-largest momentum ETF in the U.S. Its methodology favors stocks with recent upward price trends.
The story also dug into the methodology of SPMO, which has outperformed in 2026.
Thematic ETFs gain traction
A third story featured Todd Rosenbluth, VettaFi’s head of research, who discussed the rise of thematic ETFs on CNBC’s ETF Edge. Rosenbluth noted that funds tied to nuclear power and artificial intelligence drove much of the interest, alongside options-based strategies.
AI ETFs shift focus to memory and photonics
The fourth story examined changes in AI-related ETFs. After a pullback in semiconductor stocks, attention turned to memory chips and photonics, technologies essential to AI infrastructure but less exposed to the sector’s boom-and-bust cycles.
Related: S&P 500 Ends Week at Record High
This shift indicates investors are looking beyond the most obvious AI plays. Memory and photonics support data centers and high-speed computing, areas likely to see steady demand even if the broader tech rally slows.
Covered calls provide income amid energy uncertainty
The fifth story covered the Amplify Energy & Natural Resources Covered Call ETF (NDIV). Its underlying index has performed well this year, and its covered-call strategy has delivered consistent income during energy market fluctuations.
The index for NDIV, provided by VettaFi, includes a licensing fee, though the firm does not manage or issue the ETF.
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