Best ETFs of the week: Crypto, Banks and Biotech ETFs

Crypto, Banks and Biotech ETFs topped the weekly best performers list

Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrency reached $1.75 trillion in market cap last week driven by a huge comeback from Bitcoin who crossed the psychological $40,000 barrier late July, right after sinking to under $30,000 a few weeks before. Other altcoins joined the bandwagon as Dogecoin lived up to reddit-favorite “To the moon” catchphrase with notable gains.

Crypto ETFs, a relatively new member in the ETF Family were launched for risk-averse investors who are looking for safer and easier ways to invest in single or diverse baskets of digital coins. This segment flourished during the recent crypto rally as they topped our weekly top 10 ETF performers in Europe and America.

In Europe, the top crypto ETF performer was the world's first physically backed 21Shares Polkadot ETP, posting a positive 36% return last week alone.

In America, the top crypto performer was 3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF – CAD with exposure to the digital currency Ether. This ETF was one of many crypto ETFs launched by the partnership of 3iQ, Canada’s largest digital asset fund manager with CoinShares, Europe’s largest digital asset investment firm.

Banks

Bank investors kickstarted their weekend on a happy note as the financial sector surged on the latest positive U.S Data. U.S. government bond yields closed higher on August 6 after Labor Department data showed the unemployment rate at its lowest level since the pandemic peak. Lower level of unemployment rates usually corresponds with higher inflation expectations, driving yields higher and increasing bank’s profitability prospect. In result, Bank ETFs were of one of the top performers last week.

In Europe, Xtrackers MSCI USA Banks UCITS ETF 1D by DWS posted +5.41% in weekly returns. The ETF invests in U.S Financial stocks and includes major banks JPMorgan Chase & Co (31.36%), Bank of America (18.43%) and Wells Fargo (12.34%).

In America, the top performing Bank ETF was First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF - USD with +5.2% gains. The ETF has $220m in AuM and tracks the Nasdaq US Smart Banks Index. Its top holdings are New York Community Bancorp (8.53%), The PNC Financial Services Group (8.15%) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (8.00%)

Biotech

Biotech ETFs, which components may include Covid-fighting companies like Pfizer, AbbVie and Sanofi have surged as investors expect higher earnings following the implementation of mandatory vaccination in developed economies, increased vaccine prices in Europe and the talks of possibly requiring booster shots.

In Europe, the top performing Biotech ETF was Invesco NASDAQ Biotech UCITS with +4.82% gains last week. It tracks the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index and comprises biotechnology and pharmaceuticals companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market. The main holdings are Moderna (14.96%), Amgen (6.98%) and Gilead Sciences (6.60%).

iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare was the top performing Biotech ETF in America last week with +7.26% returns. With $360m in AuM, it tracks the NYSE FactSet Global Genomics and Immuno Biopharma Index NTR – USD and exposes investors to Global Biotechnology Equities. Top holdings include Moderna (8.24%), Biontech SE ADR (6.71%) and Intellia Therapeutics (6.07%).

Honorable Mentions : Natural Gas ETFs

Two Natural Gas ETFs, WisdomTree Natural Gas in Europe and United States Natural Gas Fund in America posted +6.70% and +5.73% gains respectively last week, riding surging natural gas prices amidst global supply/demand imbalances.

Top 10 ETFs of the Week: Crypto, Banks and Biotech ETFs

Europe

• 21Shares Polkadot ETP – USD: +35.87%
• ETHetc - ETC Group Physical Ethereum – USD: +21.45%
• Ether Tracker Euro ETC – EUR: +20.97%
• Ether Tracker One ETC – SEK: +20.82%
• CoinShares Physical Ethereum – USD: +20.55%
• 21Shares Crypto Basket Index ETP – USD: +20.08%
• VanEck Vectors Ethereum ETN – USD: +19.85%
• 21Shares Ethereum ETP – USD: +19.67%
• WisdomTree Ethereum ETP – USD: +19.40%
• VanEck Vectors Digital Assets Equity UCITS ETF – USD: +16.98%

Americas

• 3iQ CoinShares Ether ETF – CAD: +24.22%
• Purpose Ether ETF – CAD: +23.13%
• Purpose Ether ETF – USD: +23.04%
• CI Galaxy Ethereum ETF – CAD: +22.89%
• CI Galaxy Ethereum ETF – USD: +22.80%
• Purpose Ether ETF - CAD Hedged : +22.35%
• Evolve Ether ETF – CAD: +18.46%
• Evolve Ether ETF – USD: +18.29%
• Viridi Cleaner Energy Crypto-Mining & Semiconductor ETF – USD: +16.27%
• VanEck Vectors Digital Transformation ETF – USD: +15.92%

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