Global equity markets are edging close to all‑time highs while risk factors mount. The United States faces a growing debt burden, mid‑term elections are imminent and geopolitical conflicts keep oil prices elevated. Markets are also pricing in further rate hikes from the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve, pushing global bond yields to multi‑year peaks. Historical data shows that September and October typically see the most corrections, prompting investors to seek lower‑volatility instruments.
One option is the Invesco Nasdaq‑100 Income Advantage UCITS ETF, which combines passive exposure to the technology‑heavy Nasdaq‑100 with an income‑generating overlay. The fund holds 70‑85% of its assets in the underlying securities and uses the remainder for cash and option‑related strategies. Premiums earned from selling options create recurring cash flow, and dividends are paid monthly. The ETF currently offers a dividend yield of 9.5%.
Zurich Cantonal Bank’s Tracker‑Certificate Strominfrastruktur‑Aktienbasket, launched on 26 May 2026, illustrates the challenges of sector‑specific products. While the Swiss Performance Index rose 4.5% over the same period, the certificate fell to 87.95% of its $100 base value, reflecting recent consolidation in the energy sector. Nonetheless, analysts note that infrastructure suppliers and grid equipment makers could benefit from long‑term demand driven by the energy transition and rising electricity consumption from AI data centres.
The Solactive Rare Earths Top 15 Index CNTR tracks fifteen companies across North America, Europe and Australia involved in the rare‑earth supply chain—from exploration to advanced materials. Société Générale product manager Laura Schwierzeck highlighted that, although rare earths are not geologically scarce, economically viable deposits are limited and heavily concentrated, making supply‑chain security a strategic priority for high‑tech and defense industries.
For investors seeking a market‑neutral approach, the Convergence Long/Short Equity ETF employs both long equity positions and short or derivative exposures to generate returns in any market direction. Since its inception in 2009, the fund has delivered an annualised return of 14.2%, compared with 15.8% for the S&P 500 over the same period. Its beta of 0.58 indicates lower volatility than the broader market. The largest long holdings are Nvidia (5.4%), Alphabet (5.1%), Broadcom (3.6%), Amazon (2.7%), Micron Technology (2.31%), Lam Research (1.9%) and Advanced Micro Devices (1.7%).
Collectively, these products illustrate how diversified, thematically focused ETFs and certificates can provide defensive characteristics—lower beta, income generation and exposure to sectors deemed essential for future growth—while mitigating the impact of heightened market risk.
