Will they weather the volatile market? Eight tech ETFs to explore

The technology companies are into research, development and commercialization of software and hardware. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are stocks that track a specific sector like utility, technology, or energy. ETFs can be bought or sold like regular stocks. They are cost-effective and liquid.

Here we discuss eight ETFs in the technology sector.
 

Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (NYSE Arca: BLOK)

Amplify Transformational Data Sharing ETF (NYSE Arca: BLOK) traded at US$45.50 at 11.27 am ET on August 19, down 0.54 from the last closing price.

Launched in 2018, BLOK has net assets of US$1.1 billion. Its stock value surged 30.39 percent YTD.

BLOK, an actively managed ETF, invests 80 percent of its assets in blockchain tech companies. Its top ten holdings include Square Inc (SQ), Microstrategy Inc, and Paypal Holdings Inc. The highest and lowest stock price of BLOK in the past 52 weeks was US$62.94 and US$23.40.

BLOK heavily invested in Chinese cryptocurrency companies after their prices fell following the government’s ban on the crypto trade.

Also read: Five hot cybersecurity stocks on radar amid ransomware threat

VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH)

VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH) stock traded at US$255.44 at 11.44 am ET on August 19, up 0.94 percent from the last closing price. SMH tracks companies into digital assets exchange, payment gateways, e-commerce, etc. The stock value of SMH went up by 16.62 percent YTD.

SMK explores the 25 largest semiconductor companies listed in the US stock markets. Those companies include NVIDIA Corporation, Qualcomm Inc, and Intel Corporation, among others. The market cap of SMH is US$5.72 billion.

The highest and lowest stock price of SMH for the past 52 weeks was US$271.79 and US$163.57.

Source: Pixabay.

First Trust NASDAQ-100 Tech Sector Index Fund (QTEC)

QTEC traded at US$160.05 at 12.05 pm ET on August 19, 1.06 percent up from the last closing price. The price of QTEC went up by 15.78 percent YTD

The market cap of this tech ETF is US$3.63 billion. The QTEC tracks large-cap technology stocks listed on Nasdaq. Most of its companies are into software and IT services, followed by semiconductor enterprises. The companies it tracks include Apple Inc, Cognizant, Baidu Inc, and NVIDIA Corp.

The highest and lowest stock price of QTEC for the past 52 weeks was US$165.67 and US$110.20. The ETF paid an annual dividend of US$0.038 in June this year.

Global X Cybersecurity ETF (BUG)

Global X ETF traded at US$29.482 at 12.33 pm ET on August 19, up 0.28 percent from the last closing price. The ETF price rose by 4.71 percent YTD.

The market capitalization of BUG is US$60.27 million. The highest and lowest stock price of BUG ETF for the past 52 weeks was US$30.70 and US$20.45.

BUG explores companies that develop or manage cybersecurity technology. The ETF was launched in 2019, and it tracks companies like Zscaler Inc, Fortinet Inc, and Crowdstrike Ho-A.

Source: Pixabay.

Vanguard Information Tech ETF (VGT)

Vanguard Information Tech ETF (VGT) traded at US$412.70 at 12.41 pm ET on August 19, up 1.15 from the August 18 closing price.

The highest and lowest stock price of VGT for the past 52 weeks was US$417.33 and US$291.18. The market capitalization of VGT is US$48.4 billion. The ETF price went up by 16.42 percent YTD and 3.29 percent QTD. It paid a dividend of US$0.5862 to shareholders in July this year.

VGT tracks technology companies like Apple Inc, Microsoft Inc, Visa Inc, and Mastercard Inc.

Invesco Dynamic Software ETF (PSJ)

Invesco Dynamic Software ETF (PSJ) traded at US$149.83 at 12.59 pm ET on August 19, up 0.01 percent from the August 18 closing price. The ETF price went down by 2.59 percent YTD and 9.09 percent QTD.

The highest and lowest stock price of PSJ for the past 52 weeks was US$187.53 and US$114.63. The market capitalization is US$254 million.

Launched in 2005, PSJ tracks Dynamic Software IntellidexSM Index, which lists US software companies like Microsoft Corporation, HubSpot Inc, Oracle Corporation, etc.

SPDR Select Sector Fund- Technology (XLK)

SPDR Select Sector Fund- Technology (XLK) traded at US$153.865 at 1.08 pm ET on August 19, up 1.08 percent over the August 18 closing price. The ETF price surged 18.64 percent YTD and 4.49 percent QTD.

The ETF tracks technology companies listed on Technology Select Sector Index. The companies on this index include Apple Inc, Microsoft Corporation, PayPal Holdings Inc, etc. The highest and lowest stock price of XLK for the past 52 weeks was US$155.71 and US$109.11. The market capitalization of XLK is US$52.9 billion, and the asset under management (AUM) is US$44 million.

Also read: Buckle up: Four fastest-growing Nasdaq technology stocks to watch

iShare Global Tech ETF (IXN)

iShare Global Tech ETF (IXN) traded at US$58.04 at 1.23 pm ET on August 19, up 0.82 percent from the August 18 closing price. The ETF price went up by 16 percent YTD and 3.12 percent QTD.

The ETF tracks technology companies like Apple Inc, Adobe Inc, Mastercard Incorporated, etc. The highest and lowest stock price of XLK for the past 52 weeks was US$59.05 and US$41.37. The market capitalization of IXN is US$484 million, and the asset under management (AUM) is US$5 million.

Bottomline

Technology stocks reported strong earnings in Q2 this year, and they expect better earnings in the remaining period of the fiscal year. The growth will reflect in technology ETFs as well.