5 Best-Performing ETF Areas of Last Week

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a positive week with the S&P 500 increasing by 1.7%, the Dow Jones rising by 1.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite up by 2.1%, marking the best week for the S&P 500 since August [1] - Despite initial concerns over a regional banking crisis, the market rebounded to close the week with gains [1] Regional Banking Sector - U.S. regional bank stocks faced significant declines on October 16, 2025, with Zions Bancorporation dropping by 13% and Western Alliance Bancorporation falling nearly 10% due to losses from troubled business loans [2] - The SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) lost 6.2% on the same day but recovered with a 1.6% gain on October 17, indicating a level of market complacency [2] U.S.-China Trade Relations - The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has become the third-longest funding lapse in history [3] - Trade tensions between the U.S. and China persist, with President Trump announcing a 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1 in response to China's export controls on rare earth minerals [3] - Trump's remarks that high tariffs on Chinese goods are "not sustainable" may have provided some optimism to investors, despite mixed signals from both countries regarding the trade dispute [4] Winning ETF Areas - The ProShares Short Bitcoin ETF (BITI) increased by 7.5% last week, while Bitcoin prices fell by about 4% due to fluctuating risk-on sentiments [6] - The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) rose by 6.2%, driven by optimism over U.S.-Korea trade progress and Samsung Electronics' $110 million investment in U.S. biotech firm Grail [7] - The SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) gained 4.7%, benefiting from the AI boom as semiconductor companies secured significant deals with AI firms [8] - The Roundhill AMD WeeklyPay ETF (AMDW) increased by 4.5%, with AMD shares gaining about 6% after securing major AI deals, including one with Oracle for MI450 chips [9][10] - The SPDR S&P Kensho Clean Power ETF (CNRG) rose by 3.5%, supported by easing policy concerns in the alternative energy sector and increased demand for energy amid the AI boom [11][12]