The Best and Worst ETFs in Trump's First 100 Days
Volatility ETFs and gold miners were top performers while Ethereum ETFs lagged.
President Donald Trump's second term has ushered in a period of significant market turmoil, benefitting volatility ETFs and gold miner funds, which tend to thrive in such an environment, while hurting riskier crypto-related funds.
Aggressive tariff implementations and escalating trade tensions have led to a notable stock market downturn, with the S&P 500 declining approximately 7%—the worst performance during a president's initial 100 days since the 1970s.
In this climate of uncertainty, investors have gravitated toward market hedges and safe havens, while U.S. stocks and many cryptocurrencies suffered substantial losses.
Best ETFs in Trump’s First 100 Days
| Ticker | Fund | Expense Ratio | AUM | 100-Day Return |
| VXX | iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.89% | $340.3M | 43.1% |
| VIXY | ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF | 0.85% | $90.7M | 42.9% |
| SGDM | Sprott Gold Miners ETF | 0.50% | $374.7M | 39.1% |
| AUMI | Themes Gold Miners ETF | 0.35% | $12.9M | 38.5% |
| GOAU | U.S. Global GO Gold and Precious Metal Miners ETF | 0.60% | $118.6M | 33.6% |
Returns reflect the change in closing prices from Jan. 17 through April 29. Markets were closed Jan. 20, in observance of MLK Day. Leveraged and inverse ETFs were eliminated from our search.
Top-Performers: Seeking Safety Amidst Uncertainty
Volatility-focused ETFs have also experienced significant upticks. The ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (VIXY), designed to track market volatility, attracted attention as investors braced for market swings. The prevailing economic anxiety also drove investors toward assets perceived as safe havens, such as gold miner ETFs like the Sprott Gold Miners ETF (SGDM), reflecting the broader investor shift toward precious metals.
Worst ETFs in Trump’s First 100 Days
| Ticker | Fund | Expense Ratio | AUM | 100-Day Return |
| EETH | ProShares Ether Strategy ETF | 0.95% | $45.4M | -50.1% |
| ARKZ | ARK 21Shares Active Ethereum Futures Strategy ETF | 0.70% | $4.3M | -49.4% |
| ETHE | Grayscale Ethereum Trust | 2.50% | $2.1B | -48.6% |
| CETH | 21Shares Core Ethereum ETF | 0.00% | $16.1M | -48.2% |
| ETHA | iShares Ethereum Trust | 0.25% | $2.2B | -48.2% |
Returns reflect the change in closing prices from Jan. 17 through April 29. Markets were closed Jan. 20, in observance of MLK Day. Leveraged and inverse ETFs were eliminated from our search.
Underperforming ETFs: Crypto Funds Face Headwinds
Conversely, Ethereum-focused ETFs, such as the ProShares Ether ETF (EETH), faced challenges amid the volatile environment of the past 100 days. All ether-based ETFs, with exception of inverse funds betting against the crypto, experienced declines. Factors contributing to this downturn include regulatory uncertainties and a general shift away from riskier assets in favor of more stable investments.
VOO vs VEA: Broader Market Implications
The overall U.S. stock market has not been immune to these trends. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), which tracks the S&P 500 index, has mirrored the broader market's decline, falling more than 7% in the last 100 days, underscoring the widespread impact of current economic policies. In contrast, international ETFs like the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have demonstrated relative resilience, rising more than 8%, as equity investors rotate out of U.S. markets.
As the Trump administration continues to navigate complex trade relationships, the potential for prolonged economic uncertainty remains. Investors will need to stay vigilant, balancing risk and opportunity in an increasingly volatile market landscape.
