Top 10 ETF Picks for November 2025: Best Investments for Growth Amid AI Surge, Tariff Adjustments, and Ongoing Fed Easing

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Introduction

As November 2025 progresses, the stock market contends with an evolving backdrop marked by President Trump's adjusted tariff policies, which have moderated but sustain inflationary pressures near 3.3%. The Federal Reserve's total 1.00% rate cuts this year have ignited a powerful rally, driving the S&P 500 up 42% over the past six months, fueled by stellar earnings and AI progress. Gold has surpassed $4,300 per ounce as an inflation buffer, while cryptocurrencies maintain their upward trajectory. However, AI bubble worries linger, with lofty tech valuations susceptible to shifts if policies change. Aggregated from insights by Zacks, Forbes, Morningstar, Bankrate, and Motley Fool, this list spotlights 10 premier ETFs emphasizing AI innovation, sturdy sectors, and diversified strategies to traverse economic divides.

Top 10 ETFs

Selections highlight YTD performance, AUM for dependability, and anticipated growth in AI, tech, healthcare, and broad markets. Data sourced from TradingView, Yahoo Finance, and recent analyses.

Top 10 ETF Picks for October 2025

Ranking Methodology 

  • YTD Performance: Based on reported or estimated returns for 2025. Higher returns rank higher, with adjustments for crash resilience (e.g., hedges like gold outperforming during volatility) and sector specific risks.
  • AUM (asset under management): Prioritized large-scale for stability. 
  • Annual performance since listed: Prioritized long term stable performance vs short term volatile performance.
  • Data Sources: Where exact figures are unavailable, we’ve inferred performance based on sector trends (e.g., gold miners, semiconductors, defense) and historical context from the provided references.

1. iShares Gold Trust (IAU)

  • YTD Performance: ~+51% 
  • AUM: ~$62 B (estimated, based on historical size and gold’s safe-haven appeal) 
  • Annual performance since listed: 8%/yr since 2005 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Expense Ratio: 0.25%
  • Rationale: Lower returns than gold miners but offers stability as a physical gold ETF. Significant AUM reflects its popularity as a hedge. 
  • Notes: 
    • The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of gold in USD over the past 10 years is approximately 12.16%.
    • According to an analysis by Visual Capitalist, gold delivered a 10.9% average annual return over the 25-year period from 2000 through July 2025.
  • Final recommendation: Consider a Hold or Small Dip-Buy, Not a Full Aggressive Entry
    • Confidence Level: Medium
    • Expected time frame: Buy and hold for 6 months (serving as a safe-haven hedge amid ongoing market volatility)
Related: Best Gold and Silver ETFs of 2025: Should You Buy Today? (October 2025 Edition)

2. Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD)

  • YTD Return: ~+81%. (TradingView)
  • EUAD is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that provides targeted exposure to European companies involved in the aerospace and defense sectors. Launched on October 18, 2024, by Tuttle Capital Management, it tracks the STOXX Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index, which includes firms engaged in manufacturing, servicing, supplying, and distributing civil and military aerospace equipment, systems, technology, and defense services. The fund is non-diversified, focusing on a narrow set of industrials stocks (100% sector allocation), primarily headquartered in Europe. It holds about 15 securities, weighted by market cap, and is designed for investors seeking growth from rising European defense spending amid geopolitical tensions, NATO commitments, and rearmament efforts.
  • 1-Year Return: +92.47% (since inception aligns closely with YTD).
  • AUM: ~$1.2B (significant inflows reported in 2025) 
  • Annual performance since listed: 68%/yr since 2024 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Expense Ratio: 0.50%
  • EUAD is poised for continued outperformance in Q4 2025, as Europe's defense sector enters a "super cycle" fueled by NATO pledges, EU rearmament initiatives, and rising global tensions. Pairing it with U.S.-focused defense ETFs like SHLD could provide balanced exposure. However, risks include geopolitical de-escalation, supply chain issues, or market volatility. It's suitable for growth-oriented portfolios but carries concentration risk due to its narrow focus.
  • Rationale: Exceptional YTD performance driven by rising European defense budgets and geopolitical tensions. Smaller AUM reflects its niche focus.
  • Recommendation: Hold (Medium confidence, hold for 6 months)
  • Note: EUAD carries sector-specific risks (e.g., geopolitical).

3. Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD)
  • Type: ETF
  • Sector: Defense/Technology (Growth)
  • Performance: YTD +80%
  • AUM: $5.2B
  • Annual performance since listed: 57%/yr since 2023 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Expense Ratio: 0.50%  
  • Reason: Invests in defense technology companies benefiting from rising global defense spending, AI integrations in military applications, and geopolitical tensions. Top holdings include Palantir, Rheinmetall, and RTX.
  • Valuation: Slightly overvalued (Expense ratio 0.50%; trading at 0.5% premium to NAV)
  • Recommendation: Hold (medium confidence, 12 months)
  • Note: SHLD carries sector-specific risks (e.g., geopolitical).

4. iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)

  • YTD Performance: ~+13%
  • AUM: $83.78 B
  • Spot Bitcoin ETF from BlackRock, largest in its category with 0.25% expense ratio. Large AUM and institutional backing position it as dominant in spot Bitcoin ETF market, with bitcoin surging as a debasement hedge amid the crash.
  • Annual performance since listed: 55%/yr since 2024 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Expense Ratio: 0.25%
  • Note: When considering annualized returns, Bitcoin's rate of return stands at 230%, which is 10 times higher than the second-best performing asset class, the Nasdaq 100 Index. (coinglass.com)
  • Final recommendation: Hold
    • Confidence Level: Medium
    • Expected time frame: Hold for 1 year

5. ETF Ticker: ARKQ

  • Name: ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF Focus: AI & Robotics YTD Return (as of October 2025): ~51% AUM ($B): 1.7 Expense Ratio: 0.75% Top Holdings: Tesla (12.6%), Kratos (10.2%), AeroVironment (5%), Teradyne (7.9%), Palantir (6.3%) Why It's a Top Pick: Active management targets disruptive innovation; high growth potential.
  • Valuation Assessment: Fairly valued (premium 0.03%).
  • Annual performance since listed: 15%/yr since 2014 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Recommendation: Buy (Medium confidence, 12-24 months)


6. ETF Ticker: CHAT

Name: Roundhill Generative AI & Technology ETF
  • Key Strengths: Top growth in generative AI (e.g., chatbots, content creation); concentrated on pure AI plays but newer fund (inception 2023) with strong momentum.
  • 1-Year Return: ~74%
  • YTD Return: ~54%
  • Annual performance since listed: 43%/yr since 2023 (TotalRealReturns)
  • Beta: N/A
  • Volatility (Std Dev): 7.65%
  • Holdings: 42
  • Expense Ratio: 0.75%
  • AUM ($B): 1
  • Valuation Assessment: Fairly valued (premium 0.15%).
  • Recommendation: Buy (Medium confidence, 12 months)

7. iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX)

  • Type: ETF
  • Sector: Semiconductors (Growth)
  • Performance: YTD +41%
  • AUM: $15B
  • Reason: Concentrated in chipmakers; benefiting from AI infrastructure demand.
  • Valuation: Overvalued (Expense ratio 0.35%; 0.5% premium to NAV)
  • Recommendation: Buy
  • Confidence Level: High
  • Timeframe: 12-24 months


8. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
  • Type: ETF
  • Sector: Technology/Growth
  • Performance: YTD +22%
  • AUM: $415B
  • Reason: Tracks Nasdaq-100 with heavy AI/tech emphasis; outperforming amid innovation surge.
  • Valuation: Slightly overvalued (Expense ratio 0.20%; trading at 0.3% premium to NAV)
  • Recommendation: Buy
  • Confidence Level: High
  • Timeframe: 12 months

9. Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG)
  • Type: ETF
  • Sector: Growth Stocks
  • Performance: YTD +21%
  • AUM: $200B
  • Reason: Targets large-cap growth firms; robust AI and tech holdings propelling gains.
  • Valuation: Fair valued (Expense ratio 0.04%; at NAV)
  • Recommendation: Buy
  • Confidence Level: Medium
  • Timeframe: 12-24 months


10. Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT)
  • Type: ETF
  • Sector: Information Technology
  • Performance: YTD +26%, 1M +8%
  • AUM: $118B
  • Reason: Focused on tech leaders; capitalizing on AI and semiconductor booms.
  • Valuation: Overvalued (Expense ratio 0.10%; 1.2% premium to NAV)
  • Recommendation: Buy
  • Confidence Level: Medium
  • Timeframe: 12 months

Notes and Recommendations
  • Investment Considerations: High YTD performers (EUAD and SHLD) carry sector-specific risks (e.g., geopolitical and volatility). The October crash highlights the value of diversification and hedges.
  • Growth Seekers: Focus on EUAD and SHLD for short term high YTD returns, but IAU and IBIT for for long term returns.
  • Safe Haven: IAU and IBIT ideal for hedging against inflation or market downturns, with gold proving resilient in unstable environment.
For real-time quotes or to verify AUM and performance, check platforms like Yahoo Finance, Trading View, Morningstar, or etf.com using the ETF tickers.

Market Analysis
  • Drivers: AI fervor elevating tech ETFs, aiming for $160B in AI revenues by 2030. Fed easing bolsters growth, though tariffs introduce hurdles. Defense sector gains from increased spending.
  • Trends: Elevated AI valuations; broad-market ETFs provide buffers against bubbles. Global and commodity ETFs trail but offer equilibrium amid dollar vigor.
Concluding RemarksThis selection merges AI-centric ETFs (e.g., QQQ, VGT) with emerging defense tech (SHLD and EUAD) for balanced exposure to November 2025 trends like technological advancement, monetary easing, and geopolitical dynamics, while countering tariff volatilities. Diversification is crucial in this shifting landscape.

Disclaimer

This is not financial advice. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. Consult a financial advisor and conduct your own research before investing, particularly in light of the ongoing 2025 market crash.

The information presented in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial or investment advice. The revenue figures, company rankings, and projections are based on publicly available data, company reports, and industry estimates as of 2025. All currency conversions, where applicable, are based on annual average exchange rates.

While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information, One Day Advisor and the article’s authors do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the content for any particular purpose. Readers are encouraged to verify details independently and consult qualified professionals before making any business, investment, or healthcare decisions based on the information provided.

The article may reference ongoing developments, regulatory actions, or market events that are subject to change. One Day Advisor is not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this information.


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