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ETFs gained on risk-on mood as easing war fears lifted sentiment.
Bitcoin, meme and blockchain ETFs surged on renewed retail & crypto buzz.
Energy crisis and AI demand boosted hydrogen ETF outlook.
Wall Street put up an upbeat show last week on hopes of a resolution to the Iran-U.S. conflict. The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY - Free Report) gained 4.8%, the State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Avg ETF Trust (DIA - Free Report) advanced about 3.8%, the Nasdaq-100 based product Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ - Free Report) jumped 6.4% and the small-cap fund iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM - Free Report) returned gains of about 6%.
Meanwhile, United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO - Free Report) slumped 10.5% last week as President Donald Trump signaled that the ongoing Iran conflict could end soon, boosting optimism about easing supply disruptions in the region.
Note that the activity in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital route connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets – remains largely stalled as the conflict entered its seventh week. The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian traffic, while Tehran has restricted access for most other vessels.
Some analysts are of the view that the ongoing Middle East tensions are priced into the current market. Market participants appear to view recent developments as part of broader negotiation tactics rather than a lasting escalation, as mentioned in a CNBC article.
Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few winning exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that surged last week.
Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB - Free Report) – Up 20.0%
With Bitcoin prices gaining slightly last week and risk-on sentiment returning to the broader market, OWNB likely benefited from the market rebound.The underlying Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations Index pf the fund provides exposure to the performance of corporations that have adopted the bitcoin standard. Such corporations are those that hold bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset.
The Roundhill Meme Stock ETF seeks to provide capital appreciation.Meme stocks represent a unique force in today’s markets, where retail participation and rapid sentiment shifts play the role. Upbeat momentum in the market last week probably pushed the ETF higher.
The current energy crisis amid the Iran war has led several countries to opt for alternative energy sources. Hydrogen is one such option. Additionally, the expansion of the AI industry has increased the demand for clean and sustainable energy, with hydrogen emerging as a potential fuel.
The underlying Indxx Bitcoin Miners Index of the fund measures the performance of global Bitcoin mining companies that generate the majority of their revenue from Bitcoin mining activities or mining-related hardware, software, services, or projects.
Note that the companies associated with Bitcoin mining business are shifting toward artificial intelligence, with the shift set to transform how the industry makes money, according to a report by Bloomberg, as quoted on MSN.
Plus, Bitcoin mania is here to stay. Recent reports indicate that Iran has sought to implement a system requiring tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to pay transit fees in Bitcoin or other digital currencies. The move reinforces Bitcoin’s growing relevance in the global trade landscape.
The underlying Solactive Blockchain Index provides exposure to companies that are positioned to benefit from further advances in the field of blockchain technology. Blockchain’s influence across finance and technology is expanding gradually.
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Top-Performing ETFs of Last Week
Key Takeaways
Wall Street put up an upbeat show last week on hopes of a resolution to the Iran-U.S. conflict. The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY - Free Report) gained 4.8%, the State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Avg ETF Trust (DIA - Free Report) advanced about 3.8%, the Nasdaq-100 based product Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ - Free Report) jumped 6.4% and the small-cap fund iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM - Free Report) returned gains of about 6%.
Meanwhile, United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO - Free Report) slumped 10.5% last week as President Donald Trump signaled that the ongoing Iran conflict could end soon, boosting optimism about easing supply disruptions in the region.
Note that the activity in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital route connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets – remains largely stalled as the conflict entered its seventh week. The United States has imposed a blockade on Iranian traffic, while Tehran has restricted access for most other vessels.
Some analysts are of the view that the ongoing Middle East tensions are priced into the current market. Market participants appear to view recent developments as part of broader negotiation tactics rather than a lasting escalation, as mentioned in a CNBC article.
Upbeat Earnings Season in Focus
Meanwhile, we are off to a strong start to the Q1 earnings season, with companies not only comfortably surpassing consensus estimates but also offering a reassuring outlook on the economy despite elevated energy costs and other risks. Early in the reporting cycle, the momentum is especially evident on the revenue front, both in terms of growth rates and the magnitude of positive surprises.
Winning ETFs in Focus
Against this backdrop, below we highlight a few winning exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that surged last week.
Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB - Free Report) – Up 20.0%
With Bitcoin prices gaining slightly last week and risk-on sentiment returning to the broader market, OWNB likely benefited from the market rebound.The underlying Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations Index pf the fund provides exposure to the performance of corporations that have adopted the bitcoin standard. Such corporations are those that hold bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset.
Roundhill Meme Stock ETF (MEME - Free Report) – Up 19.4%
The Roundhill Meme Stock ETF seeks to provide capital appreciation.Meme stocks represent a unique force in today’s markets, where retail participation and rapid sentiment shifts play the role. Upbeat momentum in the market last week probably pushed the ETF higher.
Global X Hydrogen ETF (HYDR - Free Report) – Up 18.7%
The current energy crisis amid the Iran war has led several countries to opt for alternative energy sources. Hydrogen is one such option. Additionally, the expansion of the AI industry has increased the demand for clean and sustainable energy, with hydrogen emerging as a potential fuel.
Grayscale Bitcoin Miners ETF (MNRS - Free Report) – Up 15.8%
The underlying Indxx Bitcoin Miners Index of the fund measures the performance of global Bitcoin mining companies that generate the majority of their revenue from Bitcoin mining activities or mining-related hardware, software, services, or projects.
Note that the companies associated with Bitcoin mining business are shifting toward artificial intelligence, with the shift set to transform how the industry makes money, according to a report by Bloomberg, as quoted on MSN.
Plus, Bitcoin mania is here to stay. Recent reports indicate that Iran has sought to implement a system requiring tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz to pay transit fees in Bitcoin or other digital currencies. The move reinforces Bitcoin’s growing relevance in the global trade landscape.
Global X Blockchain ETF (BKCH - Free Report) – Up 17.3%
The underlying Solactive Blockchain Index provides exposure to companies that are positioned to benefit from further advances in the field of blockchain technology. Blockchain’s influence across finance and technology is expanding gradually.