Biotech and natural resources funds led the ALPS ETFs lineup in 2025, with both strategies delivering returns above 45%, according to ETF Database.
The ALPS Medical Breakthroughs ETF (SBIO) gained just over 57% through December 23, topping all ALPS products for the year, according to ETF Database. The fund tracks the S-Network Medical Breakthroughs Index, investing in small- and mid-cap biotech companies with drugs in Phase II or Phase III FDA clinical trials. SBIO ended the year with $124 million in assets.
The performance across ALPS ETF products in 2025 highlights how strategies in healthcare innovation and commodity exposure outpaced broader market approaches. The returns highlight the potential in targeted sector bets, particularly in areas tied to FDA drug development and natural resources.
The ALPS CoreCommodity Natural Resources ETF (CCNR) returned 46.6%, ranking second among ALPS ETFs, according to ETF Database. The actively managed fund invests in U.S. and foreign equity securities of companies engaged in energy, agriculture, and metals mining, focusing on upstream segments of these industries. CCNR held $383 million in assets.
International dividend strategies also performed well within the ALPS lineup. The ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) gained 39.7% and attracted $59.4 million in flows, according to ETF Database. The fund selects the five highest-yielding stocks in each of the 10 GICS sectors from developed international markets excluding the U.S. and Canada. IDOG ended the year with $431 million in assets.
ALPS ETFs Across Sectors
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ACES) rose 30.8%, according to ETF Database. The fund tracks the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, investing in U.S. and Canadian companies involved in renewables and clean technology. ACES held $112 million in assets.
Emerging market dividend exposure rounded out the equity offerings. The ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) gained 23.9%, according to ETF Database. The fund selects the five highest-yielding stocks in each of the 10 GICS sectors from emerging markets and ended the year with $29 million in assets.
While it didn’t top the performance rankings, the ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) led all ALPS products in flows with nearly $946 million, according to ETF Database. The actively managed fund returned 6.7% while investing in a diversified portfolio of government, corporate, and securitized debt.
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VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for SBIO, IDOG and EDOG for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, SBIO, IDOG and EDOG are not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of SBIO, IDOG and EDOG.
