ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF

THNQ

Market cap $300M

They say there's no rest for the weary and ETF investors are no exception. BlackRock U.S. head of equity ETFs Jay Jacobs tells CNBC's Dominic Chu on “ETF Edge” there are three key ETF themes to keep an eye out for in 2026: growth opportunities in the market, income sources, and finding diversification amid bouts of market volatility.

The evolution of the semiconductor investment thesis – specifically the rise of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) – presents a unique structural opportunity for investors. As the artificial intelligence boom matures, the narrative is shifting from general-purpose hardware to bespoke efficiency.

The global economy is entering a supercycle defined by the marriage of AI (the brain) and robotics (the body). At VettaFi's 2026 Market Outlook Symposium, the conversation shifted from speculative hype to tangible utility.

THNQ outperforms ARTY on risk-adjusted returns and diversification but suffers from poor liquidity, limiting its investability. ARTY offers better liquidity and lower costs, yet its high concentration and excessive portfolio turnover undermine long-term performance. Both ETFs receive a hold rating: THNQ for illiquidity and ARTY for a flawed strategy and disappointing growth capture.

For the past year, the artificial intelligence (AI) narrative has centered largely on enterprise efficiency and consumer-facing chatbots. However, a distinct shift is underway in Washington that is redefining the sector's growth trajectory.

AI ETFs invest in some of the fastest-growing companies that enjoy multiyear tailwinds. AI chipmakers and software giants frequently show up on this list.

The ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ) holds Nvidia at just 2.25% of assets while overweighting the chipmaker's competitors, positioning the fund as a hedge against concentration risk that plagues many other popular AI ETFs.

While AI applications dominate the conversation, a less-visible hardware trend is already delivering results. Key photonics companies are posting strong earnings, validating the theme for investors in AI and robotics and automation ETFs.

Much of the market discussion around artificial intelligence centers on the massive capital investment in the technology's own infrastructure. However, a tangible, positive result of AI actively at work in the transportation and logistics sector is highlighted in a new report.

AI has been the big story for markets in 2025. From the hyperscalers to the countless ways AI can boost productivity across market segments, AI technology has helped drive performance for investors and the stock market more broadly.