No, it's not Nvidia, or any of its tech titans for that matter'Tis the season of looking back on this year's stock market performance. With 2026 fast approaching, traders are taking stock of their wins and losses to shape their investment strategies for the new year. Despite no shortage of volatility, the tech sector was a big winner amid the AI boom. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has amassed a solid 44.6% year-to-date lead, even as overvaluation concerns weighed on the chip sector recently.The Dow Jon ...

Core Insights - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) is designed to track the performance of the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, indicating a focus on the semiconductor sector [1] - SMH employs a highly concentrated strategy, providing targeted exposure to key players in the semiconductor industry [1] Group 1 - The ETF is passively managed, suggesting a strategy that aims to replicate the index's performance rather than actively selecting stocks [1] - The analyst, Michael Del Monte, has over a decade of experience in various sectors including technology and energy, which may enhance the credibility of the analysis [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific financial metrics or performance data related to the ETF or the semiconductor sector [2][3]

Picking the right investments now could make a big difference when you look at your nest egg in 10 years.You don't have to pick individual growth stocks if you can load up on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are built to benefit from promising long-term trends. Fund managers charge their investors annual fees, but usually, those fees are reasonable enough that you won't notice them much, particularly if the funds in question perform well.However, not every ETF is a winner. Knowing how to distinguish the go ...

Core Viewpoint - The SPDR S&P Information Technology ETF (XLK) is experiencing a significant rally, marking its longest winning streak since September 2020, driven by chipmakers and software stocks rather than mega-cap tech companies [1][8]. Group 1: ETF Performance - XLK advanced for the 10th consecutive session on December 5, 2026, gaining 3.5% last week and outperforming the broader market [1]. - The rally is notable as it is not primarily driven by major tech companies like Meta Platforms and Alphabet, which are not included in XLK [2][3]. Group 2: Key Contributors - NVIDIA Corp, the top holding in XLK, contributed significantly with over a 4% increase last week [3]. - Other notable stocks that drove gains include SanDisk, Salesforce, Adobe, Micron Technology, and Intel, all rising more than 4% on December 5, 2025 [4]. Group 3: Semiconductor Market Outlook - The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization forecasts a growth of over 25% for the global semiconductor market in 2026, reaching $975 billion, with Memory and Logic segments expected to grow by over 30% year over year [5]. - PWC projects the semiconductor market to reach $0.6 trillion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%, surpassing $1 trillion by 2030, driven by the growth in generative AI services [6]. Group 4: Software Market Outlook - The global software market size was $823.9 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach approximately $2,248.33 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 11.8% from 2025 to 2034, fueled by AI integration, cloud computing, and cybersecurity demand [7]. Group 5: Investment Opportunities - The continued strength of XLK indicates that chipmakers and software stocks will be key growth engines for the tech sector in 2026, making VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) and State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW) attractive investment options [8].

Core Insights - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) tracks the MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index, which includes 25 large-cap US companies that generate at least 50% of their revenues from the semiconductor industry [1] Group 1: ETF Overview - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF is designed to provide exposure to the semiconductor sector by tracking a specific index [1] Group 2: Company Focus - The ETF comprises large-cap companies that are significantly involved in the semiconductor market, highlighting the importance of this sector in the broader technology landscape [1]

Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor industry is poised for long-term growth, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), with significant investment opportunities available through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like the VanEck Semiconductor ETF [1][11]. Investment Strategy - Investing in infrastructure related to AI is preferred over selecting individual companies, as diversification across a basket of stocks in a hot sector can mitigate risks [2][3]. VanEck Semiconductor ETF Overview - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF tracks the MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 index, focusing on the largest and most liquid semiconductor companies in the U.S. [4]. - The ETF has shown a strong performance, with a 38% gain in 2025 compared to a 17% gain for the Nasdaq Composite [4]. Top Holdings - Nvidia is the largest holding in the ETF, with an 18.5% weighting, followed by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Broadcom, Micron Technology, and Advanced Micro Devices, which collectively represent nearly half of the ETF [5][6]. - Nvidia specializes in graphics processing units (GPUs) for AI workloads, while Advanced Micro Devices provides central processing units (CPUs) essential for data center operations [6]. Company Contributions - Broadcom is involved in designing AI accelerators and has partnered with OpenAI for custom AI solutions [7]. - Micron produces dynamic random access memory (DRAM) critical for AI applications, and Taiwan Semiconductor is a leading chip manufacturer for various companies [8]. Expense Ratio and Value Proposition - The VanEck ETF has an expense ratio of 0.35%, which is competitive given its focused nature and the high returns associated with the semiconductor sector [9]. - The global AI market is projected to grow from $279 billion in 2024 to $3.5 trillion by 2033, indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.5% [10]. Long-term Outlook - While the ETF may not consistently double market returns, it is expected to outperform the broader market over the long term, supporting investors' retirement savings goals [11].

Core Insights - The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) is a smart beta ETF launched on January 31, 2006, designed to provide broad exposure to the Technology ETFs category [1] - The fund has accumulated over $1.46 billion in assets, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Technology sector [5] - XSD seeks to match the performance of the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index, which represents the semiconductor sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Markets Index [6] Fund Management and Costs - Managed by State Street Investment Management, XSD has annual operating expenses of 0.35%, positioning it as one of the least expensive options in its category [7] - The fund offers a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.25% [7] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a heavy allocation to the Information Technology sector, representing 100% of its portfolio [8] - Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) constitutes approximately 7.24% of total assets, with Intel Corp (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) also among the top holdings [9] - The top 10 holdings account for about 36.31% of XSD's total assets under management [9] Performance Metrics - As of November 21, 2025, the ETF has gained approximately 16.11% and was up about 24.97% year-to-date [11] - XSD has traded between $160.63 and $353.65 over the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.64 and a standard deviation of 36.55% for the trailing three-year period, indicating high risk [11] Alternatives in the Market - Other ETFs in the semiconductor space include iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH), with assets of $14.83 billion and $33.66 billion respectively [13] - SOXX has an expense ratio of 0.34% while SMH charges 0.35%, providing investors with alternative options [13]

Core Viewpoint - Elliott Investment Management has shifted its market strategy by increasing bearish positions against gold miners while establishing bullish positions on the Nasdaq 100, indicating a complex market outlook [1][2][3]. Summary by Category Market Position Changes - Elliott increased its put position on the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX) by adding 7.5 million shares, bringing total holdings to 11.5 million shares valued at $878.6 million, reflecting a strong bearish sentiment towards the mining sector [2][3]. - The firm initiated a bullish position by purchasing call options on the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), valued at $750.4 million, indicating a positive outlook on the Nasdaq 100 [3]. Strategic Exits and New Positions - Elliott closed its largest single position from the previous quarter, a $1.33 billion put option on the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), suggesting a shift away from a general bearish stance [3][4]. - The firm established a $1.175 billion put position on the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) and a $714.7 million put option on the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), indicating targeted bearish strategies in specific sectors [5]. Portfolio Value Changes - Elliott's total 13F portfolio value increased from $17.6 billion to $22.7 billion during the quarter, reflecting active management and strategic repositioning [6]. - Significant changes in the portfolio include new put options on Consumer Staples and Energy sectors, increased put options on gold miners, and new call options on the Nasdaq 100 [8].

Core Insights - Industrial and infrastructure stocks are expected to gain attention alongside the artificial intelligence sector due to favorable policy and consumer trends [1] - There is a shift from globalization to reshoring, which is anticipated to benefit traditional infrastructure and industrial products [2] - The Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) is performing well, reflecting optimism in the infrastructure sector [3] Infrastructure and Industrial Sector - The infrastructure sector is experiencing renewed interest, with a focus on reshoring efforts that could drive growth [2][3] - Global X's infrastructure ETF has increased by 16% this year, while the VanEck Semiconductor ETF has risen by 42% [3] - The top holdings of Global X's infrastructure ETF include Howmet Aerospace, Quanta Services, and Parker Hannifin [4] Electrification and AI Support - Electrification is viewed as a crucial factor supporting the AI boom, with the U.S. Electrification ETF (ZAP) providing exposure to this trend [5] - The U.S. Electrification ETF has risen nearly 24% this year, outperforming the VanEck Semiconductor ETF for the month [5]

Core Insights - The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) is a passively managed ETF launched on January 31, 2006, providing broad exposure to the Technology - Semiconductors segment of the equity market [1] - The Technology - Semiconductors sector is ranked 3 within the Zacks Industry classification, placing it in the top 19% of sectors [2] - XSD has amassed assets over $1.71 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Technology - Semiconductors segment [3] Index and Costs - XSD seeks to match the performance of the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index, which represents the Semiconductor sub-industry portion of the S&P Total Markets Index [4] - The ETF has annual operating expenses of 0.35%, making it one of the least expensive options in the sector, with a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.22% [5] Sector Exposure and Holdings - The ETF has a 100% allocation in the Information Technology sector, with Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) accounting for approximately 7.24% of total assets, followed by Intel Corp (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) [6][7] - The top 10 holdings represent about 36.31% of total assets under management [7] Performance and Risk - The ETF has a return of approximately 31.35% and was up about 33.48% year-to-date as of November 12, 2025 [8] - XSD has traded between $160.63 and $353.65 over the past 52 weeks, with a beta of 1.64 and a standard deviation of 36.53% for the trailing three-year period, indicating high risk [8] Alternatives - XSD holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for investors seeking exposure to the Technology ETFs segment [10] - Other alternatives include iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) with $16.63 billion in assets and VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) with $36.62 billion, both with competitive expense ratios [11]