Stockspot has always believed that good investing starts with a diversified portfolio and a plan you can stick to. But we also understand the appeal of having a little more say in where your money goes.
That’s why we’re adding 10 new investment Themes. They give eligible clients more choice across international small companies, India, technology, energy and floating-rate bonds.
You might work in technology and want more exposure to the businesses building computer chips. You might have a connection to India and want to invest more in its listed companies. Or you might be looking for a different type of bond investment.
That’s why we offer Stockspot Themes. They let you personalise a small part of your portfolio while we continue to manage the broader mix.
The 10 additions join our existing range of 28 theme ETFs and products. That takes the Themes range to 38. Including our core and sustainable portfolio holdings, the full range now covers 46 exchange traded funds and products. Availability depends on your account and portfolio.
Themes are completely optional. Our core portfolios are designed to provide broad diversification without adding any Themes. That remains a sensible approach for many clients.
We’re also giving eligible clients in our Topaz and Emerald portfolios, including their sustainable versions, the option to choose up to three growth Themes.
Why we’re expanding Themes
Broad market investing gives you exposure to many businesses and industries. It also means some areas will have a relatively small allocation. Others might barely feature at all.
For me, the purpose of expanding Themes is to give clients useful choices. Some broaden the types of companies you can own. Others let you increase exposure to a country or industry you understand and want to invest in.
We’ve focused on what each Theme adds to the existing range. Our research considers the underlying investments, fees, fund size, trading liquidity and overlap with other options. Recent performance alone isn’t a reason to add (or remove) a fund.
This expansion includes funds from Vanguard, Betashares, Global X and VanEck.
One thing I keep coming back to is the difference between a good story and a good investment. An exciting industry can still deliver disappointing returns if expectations are already reflected in share prices. That’s why we keep Themes as a small part of a broader portfolio.
Meet the 10 new Themes
International small companies
The world’s largest companies attract plenty of attention for good reason but there are also thousands of smaller listed businesses operating across developed markets outside Australia. VISM provides exposure to this part of the share market.
This Theme may appeal if you’d like to spread your international share allocation across more company sizes. It adds exposure beyond the large businesses that dominate many global share ETFs and indices. Smaller companies can be more volatile and can underperform larger companies for long periods but they can also provide diversification.
Indian shares
NDIA invests in 50 of India’s largest listed companies across a range of industries. It offers a targeted way to increase exposure to Indian businesses.
Some clients may want a larger allocation because they’re interested in India’s economic development and growing consumer market. Our core emerging markets allocation already includes Indian shares. This Theme increases that exposure. Economic growth doesn’t guarantee share market returns. Valuations, currency movements and country-specific risks still matter.
Global defence
ARMR provides exposure to global companies supplying defence equipment, technology and services.
It may appeal to clients who want exposure to businesses linked to government defence spending. Their earnings have different drivers from many consumer businesses. However, budgets and procurement decisions can change. Defence shares can also fall during geopolitical uncertainty. The sector won’t suit everyone’s ethical preferences.
Copper miners
WIRE invests in copper-mining companies around the world. Copper is used in electricity networks, construction and manufacturing.
Clients interested in electrification and infrastructure investment may want more exposure to the businesses supplying this metal. This ETF owns mining shares. Its returns depend on production costs and company decisions as well as copper prices. It can also add to the resources exposure you already have through Australian shares.
Robotics and automation
ROBO invests in businesses involved in robotics and automation. Its exposure extends across industries rather than focusing only on the largest technology companies.
This Theme may appeal if you’re interested in how businesses use machines and software to improve productivity. It offers another way to invest in technological change. Demand can weaken when companies cut investment spending. Some holdings and business risks may also overlap with other technology Themes.
Australian floating-rate bonds
FLOT invests in Australian dollar floating-rate bonds. Their interest payments reset as short term market rates change. This generally makes their prices less sensitive to interest-rate movements than longer-term fixed-rate bonds.
This Theme may appeal to clients seeking income with lower sensitivity to changing interest rates. It serves a different role from the new share Themes. However, it’s still an investment that can lose value. Income can fall when rates decline. It also carries credit risk and isn’t a capital-guaranteed bank deposit.
Uranium and nuclear
ATOM provides exposure to uranium miners and businesses producing equipment and components for the nuclear industry.
It may appeal to clients interested in nuclear power’s role in electricity supply. The fund provides exposure across parts of the nuclear supply chain rather than only uranium mining. Returns can be affected by uranium prices, policy changes and project delays. These are company investments rather than direct ownership of uranium.
Semiconductors
SEMI provides targeted exposure to semiconductor companies. These businesses supply the chips used in computing, communications and many other electronic products.
Some clients may want extra exposure to the hardware supporting artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. Your core portfolio and existing technology Themes may already own some of these companies. Adding SEMI increases your reliance on the industry. Chip demand is cyclical and high growth expectations can make share prices vulnerable to disappointment.
Battery technology and lithium
Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ACDC) invests in companies involved in battery technology and lithium production. It connects the businesses developing energy storage with parts of the supply chain providing their raw materials.
It may appeal to clients interested in electric vehicles and battery storage. However, growing demand doesn’t guarantee growing profits. Competition, changes in technology and excess supply can put pressure on both battery manufacturers and lithium producers.
Global energy companies
FUEL invests in large global energy companies outside Australia. These are primarily businesses connected to oil and gas. The fund uses currency hedging to reduce the effect of exchange-rate movements on returns in Australian dollars.
This Theme may appeal to clients who want more exposure to conventional energy producers. Their profits can benefit from higher energy prices but can fall sharply when prices decline. FUEL owns company shares rather than oil or gas directly. Its fossil fuel exposure also deserves consideration alongside your investment preferences.
How to use Themes in your portfolio
Themes are available to eligible Stockspot clients investing from $20,000. You can choose up to three at a time. Availability and permitted combinations depend on your account and portfolio. The global defence Theme isn’t available in Stockspot Super.
We’ve also expanded the choices for eligible clients in Topaz, Topaz Sustainable, Emerald and Emerald Sustainable. These clients can now select up to three growth Themes.
Each of these Themes has a target allocation of 6.2% of your portfolio. At that allocation, three Themes would represent 18.6% of your portfolio. Actual weights will move as markets change.
Start with what you’d like to change about your existing portfolio. Do you want more exposure to smaller overseas companies? A larger allocation to India? Or a different type of bond exposure? Having a clear purpose makes it easier to decide whether a Theme belongs in your portfolio.
Consider your choices together. Semiconductors and robotics may depend on some of the same technology spending. Copper miners and battery businesses can share exposure to the electrification cycle. Owning three different ETFs doesn’t necessarily mean owning three independent sources of risk.
Each ETF also charges its own management costs. These are reflected in its value and affect your overall investment costs. Overseas investments can be affected by currency movements where that exposure isn’t hedged.
You can add or change Themes in the “Your Investments” section of your Stockspot dashboard. Depending on your rebalancing settings, adding a Theme may involve selling some existing investments. This can realise capital gains or losses. If you’re using Buy Only rebalancing, the Theme is funded when enough investable cash becomes available instead.
Our guide to using Stockspot Themes explains the process in more detail.
What our clients have been choosing
Our September 2026 ETF Report gives an interesting snapshot of how clients are using the existing range. US technology through NDQ and broad US shares through IVV led the ranking for the change in dollars invested over the 12 months to 30 September 2026. Global bonds through VIF ranked third.
Asian technology through ASIA moved up three places to fourth. Australian dividend shares through VHY ranked sixth. Gold miners through GDX climbed six places to tenth.
Something that stands out to me is the broad mix of what people are choosing. Technology attracts a lot of attention, but clients are also using Themes for bonds and dividend income. There isn’t one way to personalise a portfolio.
These rankings measure the change in money invested. They aren’t a ranking of total holdings or client numbers. Popularity also isn’t a reason to choose a Theme. The right question is what it adds to your portfolio.
The report covers these trends alongside the ETFs in our core and sustainable portfolios. It also includes all 10 new Themes below. You’ll find a link at the end of this article.
Explore the range in our latest ETF Report
My advice is to start with your long term plan. You don’t need to predict the next winning industry to build wealth. Themes are there if you’d like more choice over part of your portfolio. You can also leave your core portfolio exactly as it is.
Our September 2026 ETF Report brings the full range together. It covers our core and sustainable holdings as well as the existing and new Themes. You’ll find one, three and five year fund returns, commentary on what drove performance and the Themes clients have been adding.
This article contains general information and doesn’t take your personal objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Consider whether an investment is appropriate for you and read the relevant disclosure documents before making a decision. Investment returns aren’t guaranteed.
