Top Performing ETFs: Bitcoin, AI, and Gold – Last Week’s Best Investments

Last week, Wall Street had a strong performance, with major ETFs like SPY, DIA, and QQQ all posting gains. NVIDIA released their earnings report, beating expectations but providing a more conservative outlook, leading to a modest 1.9% increase in their stock price. Tesla shares also saw a 3.5% increase on talks of potential easing of regulations for self-driving cars by Donald Trump. This news had a slight negative impact on Uber and Lyft stocks, but they managed to recover by the end of the week.

The big winners of the week were Bitcoin, artificial intelligence (AI), and gold. The STKD Bitcoin & Gold ETF skyrocketed by 16.3%, while other Bitcoin ETFs also saw significant gains. Analysts are optimistic about Bitcoin hitting the $100,000 mark this year, following a remarkable surge of 122% in 2024. The key drivers behind this bullish momentum include expectations of crypto-friendly regulations under a Trump presidency and the resignation of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, which could improve relations between the cryptocurrency industry and regulators.

In the AI sector, ETFs like HYDR and HDRO, focused on clean energy sources like hydrogen, gained about 12% each. Hydrogen is gaining popularity as a clean energy source due to its ability to store energy and balance renewables like wind and solar. Uranium ETFs like URNJ also saw gains as companies explore nuclear energy solutions.

Gold had its best week since March 2023, with the SPDR Gold Trust adding 4%. Analysts are bullish on gold for 2025, citing factors like Fed rate cuts, inflation hedging, and geopolitical uncertainties. Central banks have been buying gold at a rapid pace since the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Goldman Sachs predicting this trend to continue.

Overall, while stock market gains may be more muted in 2025, sectors like gold, Bitcoin, and AI could still offer strong opportunities for investors. Themes like Gold Miners ETF AUMI and Sprott Gold Miners ETF SGDM also saw notable gains last week. Investors should stay informed and consider diversifying their portfolios to take advantage of these growing trends.