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Forbes Forecasts 2026: Top ETFs for Clean Energy, AI, and Growth
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Published in Stocks and Investing on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 13:35 GMT by Forbes- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Best ETFs to Invest in 2026: A 2024 Forecast for 2025‑2026 Portfolio Builders
Forbes’ recent “Investor Hub” feature titled “Best ETF to Invest in 2026” distills a wide‑ranging universe of exchange‑traded funds into a handful of high‑impact picks that the author believes will dominate the next couple of years. The piece combines macro‑economic analysis, sector‑specific growth trends, and the latest ETF innovations to construct a portfolio that balances growth, sustainability, and defensive exposure. Below is a concise, 500‑plus‑word synopsis of the article’s key take‑aways, with highlights of the ETF themes, performance rationales, and practical considerations for investors planning for the 2026 horizon.
1. Why ETFs Matter for 2026
The author opens by emphasizing two central reasons why ETFs are increasingly favored by both novice and sophisticated investors:
- Low Cost & Transparency – Most ETFs charge 0.1%–0.5% annual expense ratios, far cheaper than actively managed mutual funds. Their holdings are disclosed daily, allowing investors to see exactly what they own.
- Liquidity & Flexibility – ETFs trade like stocks, enabling intraday buying, short‑selling, and hedging with minimal friction. This liquidity is especially important in a potentially volatile 2025‑26 period, marked by the post‑pandemic recovery, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
The article points out that while the market is still in flux, certain macro trends—clean energy transition, AI and automation, demographic shifts, and the rise of emerging‑market growth—will shape the ETF landscape.
2. Top‑Picks for 2026
The Forbes piece ranks ETFs into three categories: Growth, Sustainability, and Defensive. The selection criteria include projected sector growth, historical performance, expense ratios, and underlying index quality. Below is a quick snapshot of each recommended ETF and why it merits a spot on a 2026 watchlist.
| Rank | ETF | Ticker | Theme | 2023 NAV | 3‑Year Total Return | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invesco Solar ETF | TAN | Clean Energy | $37.18 | +21.5% | 0.69% |
| 2 | iShares Global Clean Energy ETF | ICLN | Renewable Power | $30.12 | +18.9% | 0.46% |
| 3 | Global X Future Analytics & AI ETF | AIQ | AI & Analytics | $12.43 | +19.7% | 0.65% |
| 4 | ARK Innovation ETF | ARKK | Emerging Tech | $48.94 | +22.4% | 0.75% |
| 5 | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | VTI | Broad US Equity | $223.50 | +12.3% | 0.03% |
Key Insight: The article stresses that while VTI and SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust) remain staples for overall exposure, the real “growth engines” for 2026 are the clean‑energy and AI‑focused ETFs. These are expected to ride the momentum of regulatory support, corporate decarbonisation, and the increasing digitalisation of business operations.
2.1 Clean Energy Focus
Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) and iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) dominate the clean‑energy segment. The Forbes analysis notes that:
- TAN tracks the ETRACS Solar Index, exposing investors to 30‑plus solar‑related companies worldwide. The fund’s upside is bolstered by declining solar panel costs, supportive U.S. federal incentives, and China’s expanding renewable capacity.
- ICLN tracks the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, which includes a broader set of renewable‑energy companies, from wind and hydro to battery manufacturers. The article highlights the ETF’s slightly lower expense ratio, making it a more cost‑efficient pick for long‑term holdings.
Risk Factor: Volatility spikes can occur when solar subsidies change or when geopolitical tensions affect China’s manufacturing supply chain.
2.2 AI & Automation
The Global X Future Analytics & AI ETF (AIQ) is highlighted for its exposure to companies involved in machine‑learning platforms, cloud‑based analytics, and robotic process automation. The article cites:
- Top Holdings: Snowflake, Palantir, Nvidia, and the likes.
- Projected Growth: The author projects AI market expansion to $190 billion by 2026, implying high upside potential.
- Expense Ratio: 0.65% is competitive given the specialized focus.
Investment Takeaway: AI and automation are expected to penetrate almost every sector, from finance to healthcare, and thus AIQ serves as a “one‑stop” growth driver.
2.3 Diversified Innovation
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is praised for its high‑conviction focus on “disruptive” technologies such as electric vehicles, 3D printing, genomics, and autonomous systems. The article notes that ARKK has outperformed many benchmarks over the past year, but also highlights the risk of concentration in a handful of volatile stocks.
Key Recommendation: The article suggests using ARKK as a tactical overlay to a broader, low‑cost index (e.g., VTI) for those willing to tolerate higher volatility.
3. Defensive Add‑Ons for 2026
The Forbes piece does not stop at pure growth ETFs. It also recommends several defensive funds that can act as a buffer against potential downturns:
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) – The ultimate benchmark for U.S. equity exposure, offering broad diversification across all sectors.
- Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) – Covers all U.S. equities, including small‑cap and mid‑cap segments, with a stellar 0.03% expense ratio.
- iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ETF (USMV) – Focuses on low‑volatility U.S. stocks, providing downside protection.
- Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) – Holds high‑quality dividend‑paying stocks, offering a modest income stream.
Strategic Rationale: Combining growth‑centric ETFs with defensive funds can create a balanced portfolio that benefits from upside while limiting downside risk.
4. Practical Investment Tips for 2026
The article concludes with a set of actionable guidelines that the author believes will help investors translate these ETF recommendations into real gains:
- Allocate 70/30 – 70% in broad, low‑cost index ETFs (e.g., VTI, SPY) and 30% in specialized ETFs (e.g., AIQ, TAN, ARKK). Adjust based on risk tolerance and market conditions.
- Rebalance Semi‑Annually – To capture the “buy‑low, sell‑high” principle, rebalance the portfolio every six months or after a 10% deviation from target weights.
- Use Tax‑Advantaged Accounts – Maximize tax‑free growth in IRAs and 401(k)s for the long‑term.
- Stay Informed – Keep an eye on regulatory changes (e.g., U.S. Clean Energy Standard, AI policy) that could affect ETF holdings.
- Avoid Over‑Diversification – Too many niche ETFs can dilute returns and increase tracking error.
5. Bottom Line
The Forbes “Best ETF to Invest in 2026” article distills a complex investment universe into a manageable playbook. The central thesis is that the next few years will see clean energy and AI emerge as the principal growth catalysts. By pairing niche, high‑growth ETFs (TAN, ICLN, AIQ, ARKK) with broad‑based, low‑cost defensive funds (VTI, SPY, USMV, VIG), investors can craft a portfolio that is both future‑proof and risk‑aware.
Whether you’re a seasoned portfolio manager or a newcomer to ETF investing, the article offers a clear, data‑backed roadmap. The takeaway: invest in the themes that will shape our economy—renewable energy, automation, and emerging technology—and protect your capital with disciplined diversification.
Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/investor-hub/article/best-etf-to-invest-in-2026/ ]
