Fidelity Clean Energy ETF

FRNW

Market cap $36.8M

Clean energy ETFs -ICLN, QCLN, PBW, ACES and FRNW - surge as global investment hits records, with momentum set to test U.S. policy headwinds in Q4.

For investors looking for income through a multi-asset class approach, it might seem sensible to max out the dividend yield within the equity allocation. Yield-focused equity strategies may introduce regional and sector concentrations that can influence returns. Given the relatively attractive yields available in other asset classes, we think it makes more sense to design 'core-like' equity exposure within multi-asset income solutions.

It may not have been on your investment bingo card, but one of the surprising outperforming investment themes this year has been clean energy. One catalyst has been the growing electricity demands related to the rise of AI.

ETFs are all the rage, and amid their accelerated growth, the category has spawned numerous new subcategories, which can also sometimes overshadow underrated ETF segments in favor of shorter-term, flashier contenders. Investors may want that upside, but it's important to also have strong performers over longer time horizons.

Fidelity Investments' clean energy ETF has seen strong recent performance, propelled by top holding GE Vernova (GEV). The Fidelity Clean Energy ETF (FRNW) is based on the Fidelity Clean Energy Index.

It's a distressing time for the climate industry in the U.S. as the current administration attempts to erase decades of energy transition progress. However, despite political pressure and related negative sentiment, the fundamentals for renewable energy keep it relevant in an age of increasing AI demand.

Investors looking to capitalize on the energy transition fully should consider pairing traditional fossil fuel funds with renewable energy ETFs.

After a dismal performance in the first four months, the renewable energy space showed a remarkable comeback in May driven by bullishness surrounding artificial intelligence (AI).

Investors who piled into clean energy themes the last few years are experiencing some performance pain this year, as we appear to be experiencing a detour on the road to the clean energy transition. Related themes have been hard hit this year due to a confluence of events.

Despite 2023 producing some of the fastest rate hikes in decades, market participants are now actively discussing rate “cuts” in 2024. While the Fed continues to signal that they intend to hold firm until inflation comes down even more, potential rate cuts remain a significant possibility.