Earlier this week, ausbiz spoke with Madison Marcus’ Head of AI and Director of its new innovation studio, Foundry Labs, as part of a segment on the evolving ETF market. With more than 100,000 subscribers tuning in for market insight, the conversation will look back at what defined ETFs in 2025, and what investors should be watching as we head into 2026.
The discussion draws on insights surfaced through ETFtracker, the ETF analytics platform that has been enhanced with support from Foundry Labs to deepen its analytical capability and make ETF data more usable for investors and professionals.
2025: When Commodities Took Centre Stage
If 2025 had a headline in ETFs, it would be commodities.
Gold and silver ETFs led flows as investors searched for stability in a world shaped by inflation pressure, geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty. Capital moved toward assets that felt tangible and dependable.
At the same time, many crypto and growth-heavy technology ETFs struggled to regain momentum. Risk appetite became more selective, and flows followed confidence rather than hype.
What stood out most was how quickly leadership across ETF sectors can rotate when macro conditions shift.
2026: What Comes Next
Looking into 2026, the market faces a key question: does the rotation continue, or do growth sectors re-emerge?
Crypto-linked ETFs sit at a turning point. With regulation maturing and infrastructure strengthening, interest may return, but likely with more discipline than in past cycles.
Technology ETFs face a similar moment. AI and digital infrastructure remain powerful themes, but markets now want earnings and delivery, not just promise.
The message for 2026 is clear: insight will matter more than excitement.
The ausbiz Conversation
The ausbiz segment brought these themes together, reflecting on what really drove ETF performance in 2025, and how investors might think about positioning for 2026.
It also highlights how modern ETF analysis goes beyond price charts. Understanding flows, sector rotation, risk exposure and correlations is becoming essential, especially in markets that change leadership quickly.
Tools like ETFtracker show how better analytics can change how people see markets, helping turn noisy data into clearer signals.
What This Means for Clients
ETFtracker is a good example of what happens when you stop relying on generic dashboards and start enhancing tools around real user needs.
At Foundry Labs, the focus is on working with organisations to:
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Make sense of complex data environments
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Design intelligent analytical systems
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Build tools that decision‑makers actually enjoy using
Whether it’s financial markets, digital assets, compliance, risk or operations, the challenge is the same: too much data, not enough clarity.
The organisations that win in the next few years won’t just collect data, they’ll invest in tools that help their people see faster, think better and decide with confidence.
While this week’s published ausbiz segment is about ETFs, the bigger story is about capability.
Insight comes from deliberate design. It’s built to support everyday decision‑making.
About ausbiz
ausbiz is one of Australia’s leading business and markets media platforms, covering equities, ETFs, macro trends, technology and investment strategy across television, digital and social channels. With a highly engaged audience of more than 100,000 subscribers and daily market programming, it has become a go‑to destination for professionals, founders and investors who want analysis that is practical, current and grounded in real market behaviour.
Being featured on ausbiz is less about soundbites and more about substance, real data, real trends and real implications for how people invest and build.
