are thematic etfs at risk of becoming zombie etfs 
a thematic etf invests in current megatrends that are seen as transformative not to mention lucrative in 2023 the list could include etfs that focus on artificial intelligence the blockchain and alternative energy sources a thematic etf is probably never going to attract as high a total of assets under management aum as an etf that is tied to the s p 500 that does not mean it s headed for zombie territory some will perform very well for the informed investor who wants to put some money into a hot area but wants the diverse selection of related assets that an etf offers as always in investing there will be winners and there will be losers the bottom lineowning shares in a zombie etf is not the end of the world it s not called a zombie because it s losing money it s a zombie because it has failed to attract a steady stream of new investors at worst the company that issued the etf will shut it down in that case you ll get your money back or most of it then you can invest the proceeds in another etf that shows some real signs of life look for reasonably high trading volume and an aum number that reflects good demand 