For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 28, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Sprott Gold Miners ETF SGDM, iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF SLVP, Global X Defense Tech ETF SHLD, Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF COPJ and AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF PSIL.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
5 Sector ETFs That Have Outperformed the S&P 500 in Q1
The first quarter has been marked by scary swings for the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 achieved an all-time high on Feb. 19 and then slipped into correction territory on March 18 for the first time since 2023. Despite volatility, a few sectors have outperformed the S&P 500 in the first quarter.
We have highlighted the five top-performing ETFs from different sectors that have been the leaders and have gained in double digits.
First-Quarter Recap
A combination of strong economic indicators, advancements in AI and solid corporate earnings season drove the rally in the first half of the quarter. The rally fizzled with the new administration's tariff disputes, which have sparked fears of a slowdown and trade war.
The tariffs will raise prices for U.S. consumers and dampen economic growth. Traders are betting that the U.S. economy has lost steam and is on the verge of sliding toward a recession. The recent surveys and sentiment indicators have been soft, underscoring the ongoing weakness in the economy.
Though the Fed reaffirmed its forecast for two rate cuts this year, it expects higher inflation and slower economic growth. These combinations have raised volatility and uncertainty in the market. Gold and silver are considered a store of wealth for investors. They are often used as a means of preserving wealth during times of financial and political uncertainty and usually do well when other asset classes struggle. Geopolitical tensions enhance both metals' attractiveness to investors.
We have highlighted the ETFs in detail below:
Sprott Gold Miners ETF – Up 33.1%
Sprott Gold Miners ETF follows the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, which aims to track the performance of larger-sized gold companies whose stocks are listed on Canadian and major U.S. exchanges. It holds 35 stocks in its basket, with Canadian firms taking the top spot at 79.2%, followed by 18.7% in the United States (read: Gold Mining ETF Tops in Q1: 5 Best-Performing Stocks).
Sprott Gold Miners ETF has amassed $321.7 million in its asset base and trades in a lower volume of around 44,000 shares a day. It charges 50 bps in annual fees from investors.
iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF – Up 28.9%
iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF follows the MSCI ACWI Select Silver Miners Investable Market Index, providing investors exposure to 27 companies that derive the majority of revenues from silver exploration or metals mining.
iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF has an AUM of $259.5 million and an average daily volume of about 163,000 shares. It charges 39 bps in annual fees.
Global X Defense Tech ETF – Up 27.1%
With AUM of $1.2 billion, Global X Defense Tech ETF seeks to invest in companies positioned to benefit from the increased adoption and utilization of defense technology. It tracks the Global X Defense Tech Index and holds 37 stocks in its basket. Global X Defense Tech ETF charges 50 bps in annual fees and trades in an average daily volume of 551,000 shares (read: 5 International ETFs Beating the S&P 500 in 2025).
Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF – Up 17.1%
Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF is the only pure-play ETF focused on small copper miners, selected for their potential for significant revenue and asset growth by tracking the Nasdaq Sprott Junior Copper Miners Index. It holds 40 stocks in its basket, with Canadian firms taking the largest share at 49.5%. Australia and the United States round off the next two spots.
Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF has AUM of $15.7 million and trades in a lower average daily volume of 9,000 shares. It charges 78 bps in annual fees and expenses (read: Copper Miner ETF Hits New 52-Week High).
AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF – Up 13.4%
AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF invests in the emerging psychedelic drugs sector, offering exposure to biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies that it sees as leading the way in this nascent industry. It is an actively managed fund and holds 25 stocks in its basket.
AdvisorShares Psychedelics ETF has accumulated $9.3 million in its asset base and charges 99 bps in annual fees. It trades in an average daily volume of 15,000 shares.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpGlobal X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD): ETF Research Reports
iShares MSCI Global Silver and Metals Miners ETF (SLVP): ETF Research Reports
Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM): ETF Research Reports
Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (COPJ): ETF Research Reports
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
