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Markets Review

3Q-2025 Morningstar Thematic Indexes Performance Update

October 23, 2025


October 23, 2025


The Takeaway

  • Best Performing Themes: Emerging Green Technologies, Digital Infrastructure and Connectivity, Nanotechnology.
  • Worst Performing Themes: Fintech Innovation, Food Innovation, Sports Betting and iGaming.
  • With the "Magnificent 7" having driven a large portion of broad market returns in the US, indexes with more exposure to this basket of stocks tended to perform well.

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Despite continued trade frictions and geopolitical tensions, the Morningstar Global Markets Index posted an impressive 7.7% total return in the third quarter. With the "Magnificent 7" stocks driving a significant portion of broad market returns, indexes with significant exposure to this basket of stocks tended to perform well.

Leveraging forward-looking insights from Morningstar equity analysts, Morningstar Thematic Indexes are designed to deliver unparalleled thematic purity across a range of durable themes. Across Morningstar's thematic index lineup, the three top-performing indexes in the third quarter focused on the Emerging Green Technologies, Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity, and Nanotechnology themes. Within this group, the Morningstar Global Emerging Green Technologies Select Index performed best, delivering a 19.1% total return and outperforming the Morningstar Global Markets Index by 11.4%. Meanwhile, the three worst-performing thematic indexes focused on the Fintech Innovation, Food Innovation, and Sports Betting & iGaming themes. Within this group, the Morningstar Global Fintech Innovation Index performed worst, generating a -9.0% total return and underperforming the Morningstar Global Markets Index by 16.6%.

q3 2025 thematic indexes report exhibit .png

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