How Major Events Reshape Thematic Fund Performance: Lessons for Investment Professionals

How Major Events Reshape Thematic Fund Performance: Lessons for Investment Professionals

By Stephen Malinak, Ph.D. | March 11, 2026

Disruptive events such as geopolitical developments, technological advances, and global health crises have measurable impacts on the performance and risk profile of thematic funds.

This article examines how significant market events have influenced thematic funds in recent years. It draws on research and data to highlight practical considerations and approaches for professionals across risk assessment, portfolio construction, and investment decision-making.

Key findings reveal that thematic funds exhibit varying degrees of sensitivity to major market events depending on their underlying investment themes.

Understanding these dynamics can help investment professionals better position portfolios and manage risk during periods of market stress.

This blog post is for informational purposes only. The information contained in this blog post is not legal, tax, or investment advice. FactSet does not endorse or recommend any investments and assumes no liability for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action or inaction taken based on the information contained in this article.

SMP

Stephen Malinak, Ph.D.

Senior Quantitative Analyst

Dr. Stephen Malinak is a Senior Quantitative Analyst at FactSet with expertise in thematic investing and factor analysis.