Oil, Crypto and Rate-Hedge ETFs Lead Third-Quarter Momentum

Zacks highlighted oil, crypto-linked and rate-hedge funds among the ETF areas with strong momentum in the third quarter. United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) gained about 50%, while Simplify Interest Rate Hedge ETF (PFIX) rose 40%.

The quarter brought mixed returns for major indexes, according to the article. The S&P 500 gained about 5.3% and the Nasdaq-100 about 5%, while the Dow Jones slipped about 0.1% and the Russell 2000 fell 5.7%.

Crypto-linked ETFs also posted steep gains. Bitwise Solana Staking ETF (BSOL) rose 87% in Q3, Grayscale Ethereum Staking Mini ETF (ETH) gained about 74%, and Grayscale Chainlink Trust ETF (GLNK) nearly doubled.

Zacks linked oil’s strength to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and said energy prices showed no signs of cooling. For rate-hedge funds, it pointed to climbing Treasury yields and a potentially more hawkish Federal Reserve. The Fed enacted a 25-basis-point rate hike in September, and its updated projections pointed to another hike in 2026.

Cybersecurity and genomics funds also advanced. WisdomTree Cybersecurity Fund (WCBR) added about 37%, while ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG) gained about 33%. Zacks said rising concern about AI safety supported cybersecurity stocks, while positive clinical data and regulatory progress helped gene-editing companies.