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ICOP vs PHO
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) vs. Invesco Water Resources ETF (PHO)
Key Takeaways
- ICOP provides targeted global exposure to copper and metals mining companies, tracking the STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index, while PHO focuses on U.S.-listed companies involved in water conservation and purification via the NASDAQ OMX U.S. Water Index.
- Both ETFs employ passive, rules-based strategies with thematic tilts—metals for energy transition demand in ICOP and water infrastructure in PHO—but differ significantly in geographic scope and sector concentration.
- ICOP maintains a lower expense ratio of 0.47% compared to PHO’s 0.59%, potentially enhancing long-term cost efficiency for investors seeking similar thematic exposure.
- ICOP holds approximately 45–64 securities with heavy concentration in materials (over 99%), while PHO typically holds around 40–43 holdings across industrials, health care, and technology sectors.
- Top holdings in ICOP include major miners such as BHP Group Ltd, Anglo American PLC, and Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX), whereas PHO features companies like Ecolab Inc (ECL), Ferguson Enterprises Inc (FERG), and Waters Corp (WAT).
- Structural differences position ICOP for commodity-driven volatility tied to global mining cycles and PHO for steadier exposure to water-related infrastructure spending and regulatory developments.
Introduction
Investors seeking thematic exposure to critical resources increasingly compare specialized ETFs like ICOP and PHO. These funds do not compete directly but offer alternative strategies targeting investor goals around sustainability and resource demand: one through global metals mining essential for electrification, the other through U.S. water management and purification. The comparison highlights structural distinctions that influence diversification, costs, and positioning within broader sector trends.
iShares Copper and Metals Mining ETF (ICOP) Overview
The ICOP ETF is a passive fund launched in June 2023 that seeks to track the STOXX Global Copper and Metals Mining Index (Net). It provides exposure to global equities of companies primarily engaged in copper and metal ore mining. The fund typically holds 45–64 securities, with nearly all assets allocated to the materials sector. Top holdings often include BHP Group Ltd, Anglo American PLC, Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX), and Teck Resources Ltd, representing significant portions of the portfolio. Geographic allocation spans Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and Mexico. The expense ratio stands at 0.47%. As an open-ended passive ETF, it employs market-cap weighting with periodic rebalancing aligned to the index methodology.
Invesco Water Resources ETF (PHO) Overview
The PHO ETF, launched in December 2005, is a passive fund designed to track the NASDAQ OMX U.S. Water Index. It invests primarily in U.S. exchange-listed companies whose products and services focus on conserving and purifying water for residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The fund generally holds 40–43 securities, with allocations across producer manufacturing (industrials), health technology, technology services, materials, and utilities. Prominent holdings include Ecolab Inc (ECL), Ferguson Enterprises Inc (FERG), Waters Corp (WAT), IDEXX Laboratories Inc (IDXX), and Roper Technologies Inc (ROP). The portfolio maintains a strong domestic focus, with the vast majority of assets in the United States. The expense ratio is 0.59%. This open-ended passive ETF uses liquidity-weighted selection with annual reconstitution and quarterly rebalancing.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both ETFs operate within resource-intensive thematic sectors driven by long-term global trends. Copper mining benefits from rising demand tied to renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and data centers, alongside supply constraints from mining operations. Water resources face pressures from population growth, urbanization, aging infrastructure, and regulatory emphasis on conservation and treatment technologies. Macroeconomic factors such as interest rate environments, industrial spending cycles, and environmental policies influence capital flows into these areas. Risks include commodity price volatility for metals miners and execution delays or funding variability for water projects.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, ICOP has exhibited higher volatility consistent with its concentrated exposure to global mining equities sensitive to commodity prices and economic expansion. PHO has demonstrated relatively more stable behavior linked to defensive infrastructure and technology names with recurring revenue characteristics. Relative positioning reflects differing sensitivities: ICOP aligns with industrial metal demand and geopolitical supply dynamics, while PHO responds to steady utility and industrial spending patterns. Over broader timeframes, performance differentials stem from sector rotation favoring materials during growth phases versus consistent demand for water solutions.
AI Screener
Tickeron’s AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to uncover additional opportunities aligned with your strategy.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors including lower expense ratio, diversified global holdings within a high-conviction thematic area, and alignment with sustained commodity demand trends, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favor to ICOP over PHO for investors prioritizing cost efficiency and thematic momentum in metals. PHO offers established liquidity and defensive characteristics but carries a higher cost structure. This assessment reflects relative positioning rather than a guarantee of future results.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ICOP is a Hold and PHO is a Hold.
ICOP's RSI Oscillator ascending out of oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for ICOP moved out of oversold territory on November 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 11 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 11 of the 11 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 32 of 35 cases where ICOP's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +3.82% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ICOP advanced for three days, in 198 of 219 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
ICOP may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 14, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ICOP as a result. In 45 of 56 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for ICOP turned negative on October 14, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 29 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 22 of the 29 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 76%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ICOP declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 85%.
The Aroon Indicator for ICOP entered a downward trend on November 06, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Momentum Indicator for PHO turns positive, indicating new upward trend
PHO saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 12, 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 90 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 78 of the 90 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 87%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for PHO just turned positive on October 02, 2026. Looking at past instances where PHO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
PHO moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for PHO 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 13 of 16 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 81%.
Following a +2.17% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where PHO advanced for three days, in 268 of 331 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 220 of 271 cases where PHO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 81%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for PHO moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 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 22 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 19 of the 22 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 86%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 18 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where PHO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 82%.
PHO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 02, 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.
| ICOP | PHO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 86% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 78% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 80% | 4 days ago 87% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 76% | 7 days ago 83% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 89% | 4 days ago 80% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 84% | 4 days ago 78% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 90% | 12 days ago 81% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 82% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 73% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 81% |
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ICOP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ICOP has been closely correlated with BHP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 89% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ICOP jumps, then BHP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ICOP | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICOP | 100% | +1.32% | ||
| BHP - ICOP | 89% Closely correlated | +1.67% | ||
| NEM - ICOP | 78% Closely correlated | +1.00% | ||
| AUGO - ICOP | 75% Closely correlated | +9.19% | ||
| VALE - ICOP | 72% Closely correlated | +1.22% | ||
| NEXA - ICOP | 67% Closely correlated | +0.80% | ||
More | ||||
PHO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PHO has been closely correlated with AOS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PHO jumps, then AOS could also see price increases.