Real-world examples of thematic investing strategies investors actually use

Big-picture examples of thematic investing strategies in 2024–2025

The best examples of thematic investing strategies share a few traits: they target long-term structural trends, they cut across traditional sectors, and they’re usually built with a mix of ETFs and individual stocks. Below are several examples of examples of thematic investing strategies that real investors are using right now.

AI and automation: a flagship example of thematic investing

If you want a headline-grabbing example of a theme, artificial intelligence (AI) is it. But a serious investor needs more than buzzwords.

A practical AI thematic allocation often has three layers:

• Core infrastructure: Semiconductors, cloud platforms, and networking. Think of AI-heavy chip makers and data-center players.
• AI enablers: Software and tools that help enterprises integrate AI into workflows.
• AI beneficiaries: Companies in industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that can improve margins by automating processes.

Real examples of implementation:

• An investor might anchor the theme with a broad tech ETF that tilts toward AI and semis, then add a more focused AI ETF for higher exposure.
• For single stocks, they might combine a leading GPU manufacturer, a hyperscale cloud provider, and a few enterprise software names focused on AI copilots and automation.

Why it fits as an example of a thematic investing strategy:

• AI spending forecasts remain aggressive through the 2030s, driven by enterprise software, cloud, and edge computing.
• The theme isn’t tied to one sector; it spans semiconductors, software, telecom, and even industrial automation.

Risks:

• Valuation risk is obvious: AI leaders often trade at steep multiples.
• Regulatory pressure around data privacy and AI safety could slow adoption.

For data on AI’s potential impact on productivity and labor markets, investors often refer to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and think tanks like the Brookings Institution:

• https://www.bls.gov
• https://www.brookings.edu

Climate transition and clean energy: examples include solar, grid, and materials

Another classic example of thematic investing is the climate and energy transition. Rather than just buying a “clean energy” fund and hoping for the best, more thoughtful examples of thematic investing strategies break the theme into sub-buckets:

• Renewable generation: Solar, wind, and hydro developers and equipment makers.
• Grid and storage: Transmission upgrades, smart grids, and battery technologies.
• Enabling materials: Copper, lithium, and other inputs critical for electrification.
• Efficiency and electrification: Heat pumps, EVs, charging networks, and building retrofits.

Examples of portfolio construction:

• A core global equity allocation, plus:
  • One diversified clean-energy ETF.
  • One utilities or infrastructure ETF with a grid and transmission tilt.
  • Select exposure to copper or battery-materials producers.

This is a good example of a thematic investing strategy that leans on policy support. The International Energy Agency (IEA) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publish detailed projections on renewable capacity, EV adoption, and grid investment:

• https://www.iea.org
• https://www.eia.gov

Key risks:

• Cyclicality of commodity prices.
• Policy reversals or slower-than-expected permitting for large projects.
• Technology risk if new storage or generation tech displaces incumbents.

Aging populations and healthcare innovation: a demographic-driven example

Demographics are one of the cleaner examples of long-horizon thematic investing. Aging populations in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and parts of Asia support themes around healthcare, retirement services, and medical technology.

Examples of how investors build this theme:

• Healthcare demand: Exposure to large pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers, and diagnostic labs.
• Senior care and services: Assisted living operators, home healthcare providers, and specialized REITs.
• Longevity and biotech: Select biotech exposure to treatments targeting age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

A disciplined example of a thematic investing strategy here might look like:

• A broad healthcare ETF as the backbone.
• A smaller allocation to a biotech ETF that focuses on late-stage, revenue-generating companies.
• A REIT ETF or a few individual names with senior housing and medical office buildings.

For data on aging trends, investors frequently reference:

• U.S. Census Bureau population projections: https://www.census.gov
• World Health Organization aging and health data: https://www.who.int

Risks:

• Drug-pricing regulation and reimbursement pressure.
• Clinical-trial failures in biotech.
• Policy shifts affecting Medicare and long-term care funding.

Obesity, GLP-1 drugs, and lifestyle shifts: a newer example of thematic investing

One of the most talked-about examples of thematic investing strategies in 2024–2025 centers on obesity and metabolic health, driven by GLP-1 drugs (often branded as new-generation weight-loss medications).

This theme cuts across several industries:

• Pharmaceutical innovators developing GLP-1 and related therapies.
• Contract manufacturers producing these drugs at scale.
• Healthcare providers and payers that may see changes in obesity-related complications.
• Consumer sectors potentially affected by shifts in food consumption, fitness, and medical procedures.

A real example of portfolio implementation:

• A core healthcare ETF to avoid overconcentration.
• An overweight position in leading GLP-1 manufacturers.
• A small satellite allocation to companies expected to benefit from healthier populations (for example, orthopedic device makers if obesity-related joint replacements decline more slowly than expected, or fitness platforms if interest in wellness rises).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides data on obesity prevalence and associated health costs, which many investors use to size the addressable market:

• https://www.cdc.gov/obesity

Risks:

• Competitive entrants and pricing pressure on leading drugs.
• Safety concerns that could limit uptake.
• Overestimating the speed at which lifestyle behavior changes.

Cybersecurity and digital resilience: an example of a defensive tech theme

Cybersecurity is a textbook example of a thematic investing strategy that has both growth and defensive characteristics. As more economic activity moves online, the cost of cyberattacks rises, and spending on security tends to be less discretionary.

Examples include:

• Network and endpoint security providers.
• Cloud-native security platforms.
• Identity and access management companies.
• Incident-response and consulting firms.

A thoughtful example of a thematic investing strategy in cybersecurity might be:

• A core technology ETF.
• A dedicated cybersecurity ETF with a focus on profitable or near-profitable names.
• Select individual holdings in identity management or cloud security leaders.

Investors often watch data from government agencies like CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) for insight into threat trends and regulatory expectations:

• https://www.cisa.gov

Risks:

• Rapid technology shifts that disrupt existing vendors.
• Margin pressure as competition intensifies.
• Event risk if a high-profile breach damages a company’s reputation.

Defense, national security, and geopolitics: a controversial but real example

Geopolitical tension has turned defense and national security into one of the more controversial examples of thematic investing strategies, but it is undeniably real. The theme goes beyond traditional defense contractors.

Examples include:

• Defense prime contractors and weapons systems makers.
• Cyber defense and intelligence-focused software firms.
• Space-based communications and surveillance providers.
• Logistics, drones, and unmanned systems.

A real-world example of implementation:

• A global defense and aerospace ETF as the core.
• A small allocation to satellite communications or space-focused companies.
• A cybersecurity tilt to capture the digital side of national security.

Investors often track data from:

• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) for defense-spending trends: https://www.sipri.org
• U.S. Department of Defense budget documents: https://www.defense.gov

Risks:

• Political and ethical considerations.
• Budget volatility tied to elections and fiscal constraints.
• Export controls and sanctions affecting international sales.

Digital payments and fintech: an example of a consumer-facing theme

Digital payments and financial technology provide another widely used example of thematic investing. The story is straightforward: cash usage keeps falling, e-commerce keeps rising, and financial services continue to digitize.

Examples include:

• Global card networks and payment processors.
• Merchant acquirers and point-of-sale systems.
• Digital wallets and super-apps.
• Infrastructure providers that power real-time payments and cross-border transfers.

A realistic example of a thematic investing strategy here:

• A global financials ETF as a base.
• A fintech or digital-payments ETF for higher growth exposure.
• A handful of individual names in markets with strong digital adoption.

Risks:

• Regulatory pushback on fees and market power.
• Competition from banks, big tech, and startups.
• Cyclical sensitivity to consumer spending.

How to evaluate examples of thematic investing strategies before you copy them

Looking at examples of examples of thematic investing strategies can be inspiring, but copying them blindly is a bad idea. Before adopting any example of a thematic portfolio, pressure-test it with a few simple questions:

• Is the theme backed by data, not just narratives? For demographics, check census and health statistics. For technology, look at adoption curves, capex trends, and productivity data.
• Is your time horizon long enough? Many themes take 5–10 years to play out. If you need liquidity in the next year, a volatile theme-heavy allocation is risky.
• How concentrated is the risk? A single-theme portfolio can behave like a sector bet. Most investors are better off limiting any one theme to a modest percentage of total assets.
• What’s already in your core holdings? Many broad market index funds already have significant exposure to big tech, healthcare, and financials. Your “new” theme might just be doubling up on what you already own.

The best examples of thematic investing strategies tend to:

• Use low-cost index funds or ETFs where possible.
• Avoid overpaying for hype.
• Spread exposure across the value chain, not just one obvious winner.

FAQs: examples of thematic investing questions investors ask

What are some simple examples of thematic investing strategies for beginners?

For beginners, simple examples include a small allocation to a broad clean-energy ETF, a cybersecurity ETF, or a healthcare innovation ETF layered on top of a diversified index fund. The idea is to keep the theme size modest while you learn how it behaves through a full market cycle.

Can you give an example of a diversified thematic portfolio?

One example of a diversified thematic portfolio might include several small satellite positions: a clean-energy ETF, an AI and automation ETF, a global healthcare ETF with a tilt toward aging populations, and a cybersecurity ETF. Each theme might be 3–5% of the total portfolio, wrapped around a broad global equity and bond core.

How many themes should I use in my portfolio?

Most individual investors do better with just a handful of themes they understand well. Looking at too many examples of thematic investing strategies can tempt you into owning every hot idea. In practice, two to four themes, sized modestly, are usually easier to monitor and risk-manage.

Are there examples of thematic investing strategies that focus on income, not growth?

Yes. Examples include infrastructure and utilities tied to the energy transition, REITs that benefit from demographic trends, and defense or aerospace companies with long-term government contracts. These can provide dividends while still expressing a long-term theme.

Where can I find data to support a thematic thesis?

Start with official statistics and research. For demographics and labor markets, the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics are widely used. For health-related themes, organizations like the CDC and NIH provide data on disease prevalence and healthcare spending. For energy and climate, the IEA and EIA are common reference points. Using these sources helps you separate credible themes from marketing stories.

The bottom line: looking at real examples of examples of thematic investing strategies is helpful, but the value comes from understanding why the theme exists, how it fits into your broader allocation, and whether you can live with the volatility that comes with betting on the future.