Investors looking for ways to tap into consumer discretionary spending often consider BETZ and PEJ. The two funds operate in the same broad sector but follow very different strategies. BETZ offers a concentrated bet on the expanding sports betting and iGaming space, while PEJ spreads exposure across traditional leisure areas such as airlines, hotels, restaurants, and media. I find that laying out their structures and exposures side by side helps clarify which approach aligns better with current conditions.
BETZ, which began trading in June 2020, tracks an index of companies engaged in digital wagering, gaming technology, and casino operations. The fund typically holds 29 to 30 positions with a clear tilt toward consumer discretionary names and a global reach that includes the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia. Key holdings have included FLUT, DKNG, Evolution AB, Entain, CHDN, Lottomatica, Rush Street Interactive, and Sportradar. Many of these are mid- or small-cap companies, which can increase volatility. The expense ratio stands at 0.75%, and the modest asset base can lead to wider spreads. I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how the stock compares to others in the industry. In short, BETZ functions best as a targeted thematic holding rather than a core portfolio position.
PEJ, launched in June 2005, follows the Dynamic Leisure & Entertainment Intellidex Index. Instead of simple market-cap weighting, the index selects stocks based on factors such as price and earnings momentum, quality, management decisions, and value, with rebalancing each quarter. The fund maintains around 30 U.S.-listed holdings across hotels, restaurants, entertainment, airlines, and food retailing. Recent top positions have featured WBD, DASH, SYY, LYV, HLT, UAL, LVS, RCL, and CCL. The expense ratio is 0.57%, and the larger asset base supports stronger liquidity than BETZ.
Both ETFs respond to consumer spending patterns, yet their specific catalysts differ. BETZ benefits from continued legalization and adoption of sports betting and online gaming, a trend influenced by regulation and market-share competition. PEJ tracks the broader “experience economy,” including travel, dining, and live events, so its results depend on consumer balance sheets and post-pandemic demand recovery. From what I see, BETZ faces regulatory and margin risks, while PEJ contends with economic slowdowns, fuel prices, and labor costs. Recent cycles have shown steadier performance in leisure names compared with the more volatile gaming operators.
Over recent months, PEJ has shown more consistent momentum, aided by steady travel and entertainment demand plus improving earnings from its hotel, cruise, and airline holdings. Its factor-based, quarterly-rebalanced approach has allowed it to adjust as leadership shifts within consumer discretionary. BETZ has displayed higher volatility and has lagged on a relative basis, partly due to its concentration in smaller gaming names, higher fees, and lower liquidity. That said, its focused theme could deliver stronger upside if regulatory tailwinds strengthen. Overall, PEJ provides a more liquid and lower-cost way to access consumer spending trends, whereas BETZ represents a higher-beta play on one specific growth story.
I often turn to Tickeron’s AI Screener when comparing thematic ETFs like these. The tool lets me quickly filter for momentum, volatility, and relative strength across sectors, which helps surface ideas and confirm positioning before making allocation decisions. It has become a regular part of my research workflow for evaluating funds such as BETZ and PEJ.
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PEJ saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 83 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 78 of the 83 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 90%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for PEJ just turned positive on September 28, 2026. Looking at past instances where PEJ's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
PEJ moved above its 50-day moving average on October 15, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for PEJ crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 16 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +2.45% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PEJ advanced for three days, in 259 of 308 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 265 of 320 cases where PEJ Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 83%.
The 10-day RSI Indicator for PEJ moved out of overbought territory on October 30, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 42 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 37 of the 42 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 88%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
PEJ broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 20, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
Category ConsumerDiscretionary