What Is the $XT ETF? A Full Breakdown of Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
XT is a global ETF comprising nine future-technology themes, managed by BlackRock iShares. It is distinguished by its multi-sector construction that includes not only technology producers but also technology adopters.
SubscribeWhat Is This ETF?
XT is a thematic ETF that invests in global companies either developing or applying the technologies across the nine exponential technology themes defined by Morningstar. Unlike a pure technology-stock ETF, it broadly includes technology-adopter sectors such as healthcare, industrials, and financials, and carries a meaningful weighting in small- and mid-cap innovative companies.
It is well suited for satellite-portfolio investors who want to diversify across multiple future-technology themes while avoiding the concentration in the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500 technology names.
The fund is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF launched in 2015 by BlackRock iShares.
How Do You Invest in It?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | BlackRock iShares |
| Tracking Index | Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.46% |
| Number of Holdings | Approximately 228 |
| Nine Themes | Big Data, Robotics, Medical Neuroscience, Networks, Energy & Environment, Nanotechnology, 3D Printing, Bioinformatics, and Fintech |
| International Exposure | Global allocation including developed and emerging markets outside the U.S. |
XT applies a multi-sector, global allocation that captures both technology producers and adopters across the nine Morningstar-defined exponential technology themes. Its distinguishing features are reduced mega-cap technology concentration and an elevated weighting in small- and mid-cap innovative companies.
- A multi-sector thematic approach that simultaneously holds technology producers and adopters (healthcare, industrials, financials, etc.)
- A construction that lowers mega-cap concentration relative to QQQ and KOMP and increases exposure to small- and mid-cap innovative companies
- Risk mitigation against any single technology trend through diversification across nine themes, compared with single-theme thematic ETFs
Size and Cost
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $4.1B, and the total expense ratio is 0.46% per year.
XT is frequently compared with a range of thematic ETFs including KOMP, MOO, NUKZ, DAPP, and HAP. KOMP tracks the Kensho New Economies Index and, like XT, holds multi-theme innovative companies, but its underlying holdings differ. NUKZ is concentrated on the nuclear renaissance, while DAPP specializes in digital assets and blockchain. MOO focuses on agribusiness and HAP on natural resources, making them distinct in character from XT. By diversifying across nine themes, XT is well suited for investors seeking broader exposure to future technologies than any single-theme ETF can provide.
Performance and Flows
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeAs multiple exponential technology themes—including artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotech—have drawn attention simultaneously, investor interest in multi-theme ETFs like XT that bundle nine themes into a single fund has remained steady.
Investors who prefer more diversified thematic exposure than single-theme ETFs typically compare XT with KOMP and NUKZ, and use XT as a satellite allocation.
Strengths and Weaknesses
XT is a thematic ETF that covers nine future-technology themes on a global, multi-sector basis, making it appropriate for satellite investors who want broad innovative-company exposure without mega-cap concentration.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products
If you want a multi-theme innovative-tech ETF, compare XT with KOMP. For nuclear power, consider NUKZ; for digital assets, DAPP; for agriculture, MOO; and for natural resources, HAP—each of which is a specialized alternative. If you want mega-cap technology-stock exposure, QQQ is the appropriate choice.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 KOMP | State Street SPDR S&P Kensho New Economies Composite ETF | $64.68 | +0.6% | $2.6B | 0.20% | 1.58% | -0.6% |
 MOO | VanEck Agribusiness ETF | $80.26 | -0.7% | $1.1B | 0.56% | 2.24% | +9.1% |
 NUKZ | Range Nuclear Renaissance Index ETF | $58.41 | +0.6% | $633.3M | 0.85% | 0.99% | -19.5% |
 HAP | VanEck Natural Resources ETF | $74.25 | +0.2% | $326.0M | 0.41% | 1.84% | +29.0% |
 OPPE | WisdomTree European Opportunities Fund | $58.52 | -0.2% | $283.6M | 0.58% | 2.82% | +17.6% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TXN | Texas Instruments Inc | 0.09% | $309.83 | +0.3% | $283.1B | 40.2 | 1.86% |
| LLY | Lilly(Eli) & Co | 0.07% | $1288.30 | +0.5% | $1.21T | 43.8 | 0.53% |
| MSFT | Microsoft Corp | 0.08% | $531.01 | -0.1% | $3.94T | 29.6 | 0.74% |
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.08% | $215.38 | -1.2% | $5.19T | 27.2 | 0.36% |
| ADI | Analog Devices Inc | 0.04% | $428.27 | +0.7% | $207.5B | 50.8 | 0.99% |
| TSLA | Tesla Inc | 0.04% | $404.22 | -0.8% | $1.60T | 444.6 | - |
Investor Checklist
XT is a thematic ETF designed for investors who want global diversified exposure across nine future-technology themes. Before deciding your satellite allocation weight, review its diversification benefits and expense ratio relative to single-theme ETFs.
| Checkpoint | What to Verify | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 🔭 Confirm Your Theme Understanding | Review the growth outlook for the nine exponential technology themes (Big Data, Robotics, Medical Neuroscience, etc.) in advance | Review Morningstar's theme definitions |
| 📊 Compare Against KOMP | Compare holdings composition, expense ratio, and return patterns with KOMP, a similar multi-theme ETF | 0.46% |
| 🌏 Acknowledge Global Exposure | Because the fund invests in developed and emerging markets outside the U.S., FX moves and geopolitical risk can affect returns | Set an acceptable international allocation range |
| 💼 Set the Satellite Allocation Weight | Set an appropriate weight for satellite use relative to core index ETFs to avoid excessive theme concentration | Balance core and satellite allocations |
If some of the nine themes experience delayed technology maturation or intensifying competition, returns could lag, and global allocation also brings currency risk. An expense ratio that is higher than that of passive broad-index ETFs is a drag on long-term compounded returns.
XT is a practical satellite ETF that provides global diversified exposure to nine future-technology themes while sidestepping mega-cap technology concentration. Compare its theme construction with KOMP, and set an appropriate weight in a role that complements your core index ETFs.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
Today's 5 AI picks, all free