100+ Industry Group ETFs Ranked and Graded

Semiconductors & broad tech, from large-cap names to dividend-paying innovators are powering the rally (pausing today). Strength especially for AI & software leaders, which are building the future.

In today’s sweep of 100+ industry ETFs, five core themes stood out as the engines of market leadership: semiconductors, powering the tech rally; broad technology, from large-cap names to dividend-paying innovators; AI & next-gen disruption, where generative AI and software leaders are building the future; internet & communication platforms, the backbone of digital engagement; and financial services & capital markets, which often lead on reflationary cycles. Across these verticals, we’ve earmarked the true leaders (Grade A), the up-and-comers (Grade B), and a Watchlist of thematic breakouts (Watch Closely)—each group ready for your next move.

Here’s how our three-tier grading system works:

• Grade A (Strongest)
  These are the top one-third performers in relative strength over the sweet-spot window, with up-trending EMAs and robust institutional flows. Think of these as “market leaders” you can lean into with conviction.

• Grade B (Improving Strength)
  Solid setups showing improving momentum—EMAs may be aligning but still lagging the A-list. Good follow-through candidates if the trend resumes.

• Watch Closely (Potential Setups)
  Early signs of strength or mixed signals—worth monitoring for an entry trigger but not quite ready for prime time.

• Improving Relative Strength in combination with Money Flow is the lynchpin to our system. Below are the specific criteria in detail, followed by the data tables. Remember to click to enlarge the stacks and view on a computer or tablet. As usual, we review in detail the strongest ETFs following the collection of data tables.

  

Grade A

1. FTXL – First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF
   Focus: A dynamic, equally-weighted basket of leading semiconductor names (e.g., Nvidia, AMD, Intel).
   Synopsis: Semiconductors remain in the vanguard of this cycle’s rally. FTXL’s mid-term RS sits at 30 (top 30% of its peer group), while its near-term RS rank has improved into the low teens—giving a variance of +19. All EMAs (5>20 D, 10>40 D, 10>40 W) are up, confirming a strong bullish structure, and its CMF of 0.29 registers as Very Bullish (strong buying pressure).
   Average RS Rank (3–6 M): 30
   Average RS Rank (20–60 D): ~10.8
   Variance: +19.2 (momentum accelerating)
   CMF (21 D): 0.29 (Very Bullish)
   Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Confirm strong bullish structure

2. IXN – iShares Global Tech ETF
   Focus: Global technology giants across the U.S., Europe, and Asia (e.g., Microsoft, ASML, TSMC).
   Synopsis: Broad tech has shrugged off regional rotation—IXN’s 3–6 month RS of 37 vs. near-term RS around 29 yields a +7 variance. EMAs across daily and weekly frames are all rising, and its CMF of 0.20 is right at the Bullish threshold, signaling continued institutional interest.
   Average RS Rank (3–6 M): 37
   Average RS Rank (20–60 D): ~29.4
   Variance: +7.6 (accelerating momentum)
   CMF (21 D): 0.20 (Bullish)
   Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Strong bullish structure, though watch for consolidation

3. IYW – iShares US Technology ETF
   Focus: Broad U.S. tech exposure—hardware, software, semis (e.g., Apple, Nvidia, Adobe).
   Synopsis: U.S. tech heavyweights remain leadership anchors. With a mid-term RS of 40 and near-term around 25, variance sits at +15, pointing to renewed buying on dips. All EMAs are trending up, and CMF of 0.22 is Very Bullish, underscoring strong demand.
   Average RS Rank (3–6 M): 40
   Average RS Rank (20–60 D): ~24.6
   Variance: +15.4 (momentum strengthening)
   CMF (21 D): 0.22 (Very Bullish)
   Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Bullish alignment intact

4. QTEC – First Trust NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index
   Focus: Equal-weight exposure to Nasdaq-100 tech leaders, reducing mega-cap bias.
   Synopsis: As mid-cap tech names outpace the giants, QTEC’s equal-weight methodology shines. A 3–6 month RS of 41 vs. near-term ~29 gives a +12 variance, with all EMAs on the rise. Its CMF of 0.20 sits in Bullish, highlighting steady institutional flows.
   Average RS Rank (3–6 M): 41
   Average RS Rank (20–60 D): ~29.4
   Variance: +11.6 (momentum accelerating)
   CMF (21 D): 0.20 (Bullish)
   Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Confirms strong bullish structure

Here’s the more technical interpretation of our grading system.

Grade B

1. IAI – iShares US Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchange ETF
   Focus: Core exposure to leading broker-dealers (e.g., Goldman, Morgan Stanley), playing the plumbing of equity markets.
   Synopsis: A mid-term RS of 23 versus a near-term average of 20.4 yields a +2.6 variance—modest but positive, indicating momentum is picking up after a pullback. All EMAs (5>20 D, 10>40 D, 10>40 W) are UP, confirming a bullish structure. Its CMF of 0.10 sits at the Bullish threshold (“Buying Pressure That Could Move Price Higher”), suggesting institutions are nibbling.

   • RS 3–6 M: 23

   • RS 10–50 D: ~20.4

   • Variance: +2.6 (improving momentum)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.10 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Bullish alignment

2. SMH – VanEck Semiconductor ETF
   Focus: Broad semiconductor play—from fabs and equipment to chip designers, market-cap weighted.
   Synopsis: With a sweet-spot RS of 17 vs. a near-term 8.6, variance is +8.4, pointing to accelerating momentum. EMAs across daily and weekly frames are all UP. CMF at 0.17 registers as Bullish, underscoring continued institutional interest in semis.

   • RS 3–6 M: 17

   • RS 10–50 D: ~8.6

   • Variance: +8.4 (momentum accelerating)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.17 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Strong bullish structure

3. SOXQ – Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF
   Focus: Equally-weighted PHLX semis index—leans into mid-caps like AMD and Qorvo alongside the giants.
   Synopsis: Mid-term RS is 24, near-term average 9.0 → +15 variance, signaling robust buying on dips. All EMAs remain UP. CMF of 0.11 is Bullish, reflecting steady institutional accumulation in the chip space.

   • RS 3–6 M: 24

   • RS 10–50 D: ~9.0

   • Variance: +15.0 (strongly accelerating)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.11 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Confirm strong bullish alignment

4. SOXX – iShares Semiconductor ETF
   Focus: Market-cap weighted semis index—dominant positions in Nvidia, TSMC, Intel.
   Synopsis: With a 3–6 M RS of 29 vs. near-term 10.2, variance is +18.8, highlighting renewed buying after a pullback into the 40-day EMA. EMAs on all timeframes are UP. CMF at 0.12 is Bullish, confirming institutional support.

   • RS 3–6 M: 29

   • RS 10–50 D: ~10.2

   • Variance: +18.8 (momentum accelerating)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.12 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Strong bullish structure

5. CHAT – Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF
   Focus: Pure-play on generative AI names (e.g., C3.ai, NVIDIA, Palantir).
   Synopsis: Mid-term RS 13 vs. near-term 7.6 → +5.4 variance, showing building momentum as AI hype cycles continue. All EMAs are UP. CMF of 0.12 places it in Bullish, suggesting funds are positioning into the AI theme.

   • RS 3–6 M: 13

   • RS 10–50 D: ~7.6

   • Variance: +5.4 (momentum improving)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.12 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Bullish alignment

6. COPX – Global X Copper Miners ETF
   Focus: Direct exposure to copper producers—leveraging on industrial-metal reflation.
   Synopsis: A 3–6 M RS of 25 vs. near-term 43.2 yields a –18.2 variance, indicating relative strength has pulled back sharply—potential momentum fatigue. However, EMAs remain UP, suggesting the longer-term trend is intact but may be consolidating. CMF of 0.15 is Bullish, so institutional interest hasn’t completely faded.

   • RS 3–6 M: 25

   • RS 10–50 D: ~43.2

   • Variance: –18.2 (momentum weakening)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.15 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Bullish structure, but watch for consolidation

7. XLK – Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
   Focus: The go-to cap-weighted U.S. tech sector ETF—heavy in Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia.
   Synopsis: Mid-term RS 34 vs. near-term 25.2 gives +8.8 variance, showing momentum picking up after a sideways base. EMAs on all frames are UP. CMF of 0.17 is Bullish, reinforcing institutional support for large-cap tech.

   • RS 3–6 M: 34

   • RS 10–50 D: ~25.2

   • Variance: +8.8 (momentum improving)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.17 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Strong bullish alignment

8. IGM – iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF
   Focus: Broad “mega and mid-cap” tech—spans semis, hardware, software across U.S. and global stocks.
   Synopsis: A 3–6 M RS of 38 vs. near-term 30.0 yields +8.0 variance, signaling steady strength. EMAs on daily and weekly are all UP. CMF at 0.16 is Bullish, showing persistent buying in the broad tech cohort.

   • RS 3–6 M: 38

   • RS 10–50 D: ~30.0

   • Variance: +8.0 (momentum accelerating)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.16 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Confirm strong bullish structure

9. TDIV – First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index
   Focus: Tech dividend payers—blend of yield and growth in one basket.
   Synopsis: 3–6 M RS of 22 vs. near-term 20.4 → +1.6 variance, suggesting momentum is marginally improving. EMAs remain UP. CMF at 0.15 is Bullish, indicating selective institutional interest in high-yield tech.

   • RS 3–6 M: 22

   • RS 10–50 D: ~20.4

   • Variance: +1.6 (modest improvement)

   • CMF (21 D): 0.15 (Bullish)

   • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Bullish alignment

10. AIQ – Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF
    Focus: A diversified basket of AI and next-gen tech innovators (e.g., Baidu, Microsoft, Nvidia).
    Synopsis: With a 3–6 M RS of 42 vs. near-term 43.2, variance is –1.2, hinting at a slight stall after a strong run. EMAs are still UP, so the trend hasn’t broken, but watch for sideways action. CMF of 0.16 is Bullish, so buyers remain interested.

    • RS 3–6 M: 42

    • RS 10–50 D: ~43.2

    • Variance: –1.2 (momentum plateauing)

    • CMF (21 D): 0.16 (Bullish)

    • Key Trend: All EMAs UP → Trend intact, but monitor for consolidation

What We’re Watching Closely

Below are five thematic buckets for our “Watch Closely” list. Each of these ETFs has shown improving short-term relative strength (the 10-day to 60 day RS is rank is better than the 60 to 120-day RS) and positive Chaikin Money Flow (21-day CMF > 0), signaling that institutions are nibbling as momentum builds.

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1. Core Technology Infrastructure

Broad, large-cap tech exposure—steady leaders you want on your radar.

• VGT (Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund)
  • 20-day RS 29 → 10-day RS 25
  • CMF 0.16 (Bullish)

• FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF)
  • 20-day RS 31 → 10-day RS 26
  • CMF 0.15 (Bullish)

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2. Internet & Communication Platforms

High-growth platforms underpinning digital activity—watch for breakout runs.

• FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index Fund)
  • 20-day RS 55 → 10-day RS 45
  • CMF 0.09 (Bullish)

• XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund)
  • 20-day RS 52 → 10-day RS 39
  • CMF 0.09 (Bullish)

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3. AI & Disruptive Innovation

Pure-play and broad-thematic innovators where next-gen growth often starts.

• THNQ (ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF)
  • 20-day RS 36 → 10-day RS 30
  • CMF 0.17 (Bullish)

• IGPT (Invesco AI and Next Gen Software ETF)
  • 20-day RS 42 → 10-day RS 34
  • CMF 0.05 (Bullish)

• WTAI (WisdomTree Artificial Intelligence UCITS ETF)
  • 20-day RS 22 → 10-day RS 15
  • CMF 0.04 (Bullish)

• GINN (Goldman Sachs Innovate Equity ETF)
  • 20-day RS 52 → 10-day RS 50
  • CMF 0.22 (Very Bullish)

• AIRR (First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF)
  • 20-day RS 53 → 10-day RS 23
  • CMF 0.04 (Bullish)

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4. Financial Services & Capital Markets

Banks and capital-markets plays often lead on a reflationary tilt.

• KBWB (Invesco KBW Bank ETF)
  • 20-day RS 38 → 10-day RS 1
  • CMF 0.29 (Very Bullish)

• KCE (SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF)
  • 20-day RS 37 → 10-day RS 4
  • CMF 0.23 (Very Bullish)

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5. Semiconductors

The chip cycle drives tech—watch when momentum re-accelerates here.

• PSI (Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF)
  • 20-day RS 4 → 10-day RS 3
  • CMF 0.16 (Bullish)

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