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 | 3.1% | 89.5% | 39.0% | -24.6% | 20.6% | 0.35% | 0.853 |
| #4 | SCHD Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF | 10.2% | 33.5% | 11.1% | -4.6% | 15.8% | 0.06% | 0.683 |
| #5 | IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 11.4% | 30.8% | 16.9% | -8.7% | 12.3% | 0.06% | 0.568 |
| #6 | VTV Vanguard Value ETF | 10.1% | 28.5% | 10.2% | -6.4% | 11.9% | 0.04% | 0.566 |
| #7 | XLE Energy Select Sector SPDR | 4.5% | 54.2% | 21.7% | -15.0% | 19.5% | 0.09% | 0.466 |
| #8 | IWM iShares Russell 2000 ETF | 10.8% | 33.7% | 19.0% | -11.0% | 12.3% | 0.19% | 0.462 |
| #9 | RSP Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF | 10.6% | 21.5% | 11.7% | -7.9% | 10.7% | 0.2% | 0.330 |
| #10 | XLK Technology Select Sector SPDR | 6.1% | 38.7% | 26.1% | -15.9% | 16.4% | 0.09% | 0.266 |
What the screen did this week
The Core Momentum screen ranked 41 eligible funds as of 2026-08-19. 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 3.1%, 1-year 89.5%, volatility 39.0%, worst drawdown -24.6%, expense ratio 0.35%. Composite 0.853.
#4 SCHD — Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF. 3-month 10.2%, 1-year 33.5%, volatility 11.1%, worst drawdown -4.6%, expense ratio 0.06%. Composite 0.683.
#5 IJR — iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF. 3-month 11.4%, 1-year 30.8%, volatility 16.9%, worst drawdown -8.7%, expense ratio 0.06%. Composite 0.568.
#6 VTV — Vanguard Value ETF. 3-month 10.1%, 1-year 28.5%, volatility 10.2%, worst drawdown -6.4%, expense ratio 0.04%. Composite 0.566.
#7 XLE — Energy Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 4.5%, 1-year 54.2%, volatility 21.7%, worst drawdown -15.0%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.466.
#8 IWM — iShares Russell 2000 ETF. 3-month 10.8%, 1-year 33.7%, volatility 19.0%, worst drawdown -11.0%, expense ratio 0.19%. Composite 0.462.
#9 RSP — Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF. 3-month 10.6%, 1-year 21.5%, volatility 11.7%, worst drawdown -7.9%, expense ratio 0.2%. Composite 0.330.
#10 XLK — Technology Select Sector SPDR. 3-month 6.1%, 1-year 38.7%, volatility 26.1%, worst drawdown -15.9%, expense ratio 0.09%. Composite 0.266.
What changed since last week
This is the first published run of this screen, so there is nothing to compare against yet. Movement commentary starts next week.
What moved the numbers
At rank 3, SMH scored 0.853. 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 -1.529.
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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