Core Momentum
Broad-market and factor ETFs ranked on trailing momentum, confirmed by trend and penalized for volatility and cost.
| Rank | Fund | 3M | 1Y | Vol | Max DD | vs 200d | ER | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ||||||||
| #2 | ||||||||
| #3 | SMH VanEck Semiconductor ETF | 9.0% | 88.0% | 39.9% | -24.6% | 26.6% | 0.35% | 1.144 |
| #4 | XLK Technology Select Sector SPDR | 12.3% | 41.2% | 26.5% | -15.9% | 21.9% | 0.09% | 0.796 |
| #5 | SCHD Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | 1.4% | 23.9% | 11.2% | -6.9% | 4.6% | 0.06% | 0.548 |
| #6 | VTV Vanguard Value ETF | -0.3% | 19.2% | 10.3% | -6.3% | 4.9% | 0.04% | 0.323 |
| #7 ▲7 | EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF | 6.7% | 29.3% | 21.4% | -13.6% | 10.1% | 0.5% | 0.308 |
| #8 ▲3 | QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust | 6.7% | 25.4% | 19.9% | -12.0% | 13.2% | 0.2% | 0.296 |
| #9 ▼1 | VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | 3.9% | 17.1% | 12.9% | -8.9% | 8.0% | 0.03% | 0.276 |
| #10 ▼1 | IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 3.9% | 17.1% | 13.0% | -8.9% | 8.0% | 0.03% | 0.275 |
What the screen did this week
The Core Momentum screen ranked 41 eligible funds as of 2026-10-05. Broad-market and factor ETFs ranked on trailing momentum, confirmed by trend and penalized for volatility and cost.
The composite is a weighted blend of cross-sectional z-scores: 12-1 momentum (40%, higher better); 3-month return (20%, higher better); distance above 200-day average (15%, higher better); 1-year volatility (15%, lower better); 1-year max drawdown (5%, higher better); expense ratio (5%, lower better). Every fund is scored against the others in its universe on the same date, so a score is a statement about relative standing that week, not a forecast.
The visible ranking
#3 SMH, VanEck Semiconductor ETF. 3-month 9.0%, 1-year 88.0%, volatility 39.9%, worst drawdown -24.6%, expense ratio 0.35%. Composite 1.144.
#4 XLK, Technology Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 12.3%, 1-year 41.2%, volatility 26.5%, worst drawdown -15.9%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.796.
#5 SCHD, Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF. 3-month 1.4%, 1-year 23.9%, volatility 11.2%, worst drawdown -6.9%, expense ratio 0.06%. Composite 0.548.
#6 VTV, Vanguard Value ETF. 3-month -0.3%, 1-year 19.2%, volatility 10.3%, worst drawdown -6.3%, expense ratio 0.04%. Composite 0.323.
#7 EWJ, iShares MSCI Japan ETF. 3-month 6.7%, 1-year 29.3%, volatility 21.4%, worst drawdown -13.6%, expense ratio 0.5%. Composite 0.308.
#8 QQQ, Invesco QQQ Trust. 3-month 6.7%, 1-year 25.4%, volatility 19.9%, worst drawdown -12.0%, expense ratio 0.2%. Composite 0.296.
#9 VOO, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. 3-month 3.9%, 1-year 17.1%, volatility 12.9%, worst drawdown -8.9%, expense ratio 0.03%. Composite 0.276.
#10 IVV, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF. 3-month 3.9%, 1-year 17.1%, volatility 13.0%, worst drawdown -8.9%, expense ratio 0.03%. Composite 0.275.
What changed since 2026-10-02
Biggest moves in the top 15: EWJ 14 → 7 (up 7), XLV 7 → 11 (down 4), QQQ 11 → 8 (up 3), IEMG 15 → 12 (up 3), SPY 10 → 13 (down 3). New to the top ten: EWJ at #7, QQQ at #8. The screen re-ranks from scratch every week, so a move reflects a change in relative standing, not a decision by anyone.
What moved the numbers
At rank 3, SMH scored 1.144. Its largest single contribution came from 12-1 momentum, and its biggest drag from 1-year volatility. At the other end, FXI finished last of 41 with a composite of -1.232.
Every fund in the universe cleared the gates this week.
How to read this
This is a rules-based screen published on a fixed schedule. It is the same for every reader, it is not tailored to anyone’s circumstances, and it is not a recommendation to buy or sell. Rankings are computed from price history alone. Past performance does not predict future results.
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