GICS Micro-& Nano-Sectors (Thematic Portfolios)

GICS Alpha is located within GICS Eleven as a Tier 2 module ("Trending") and deliberately does not pursue a sectoral focus. Instead, the project bundles a cross-sector view of exceptional market performance - where above-average development, structural strength and statistical conspicuousness are concentrated. The focus is on companies that are characterized by outstanding alpha characteristics: as tenbaggers with exceptional performance, through high weighted alpha values as an expression of relative strength or through a clearly pronounced momentum trend that is confirmed over time. In addition, stocks are included that have been identified by a sector-independent AI stockpicker logic and are therefore not the result of traditional expectations but of data-driven pattern recognition. GICS Alpha is therefore not a ranking list of individual winners, but a curated signal space: an interface between quantitative selection and editorial classification. The combination of strong price dynamics and contextualized company news makes the module a preferred target for editors, analysts and theme-driven research formats looking for resilient upside narratives beyond rigid sector boundaries. In the GICS Eleven structure, GICS Alpha acts as a market movement indicator: it does not show where a company is located, but why it currently deserves attention - regardless of whether the strength comes from technology, industry, consumer or another sector.

GICS Alpha bundles developments relating to listed companies that are characterized by above-average market performance, special attention or a prominent position in the respective market environment. The focus is not on early market phases, but on winners that have become visible and where the business model, demand and capital market interest are already having a measurable impact. In terms of content, the topic area includes stocks with pronounced relative strength, sustained price momentum, increased trading activity or a recurring presence in market and company news. Both fundamental drivers such as sales or earnings trends and market-driven factors such as momentum, capital inflows or strategic realignments are taken into account. GICS Alpha focuses on market stability and visibility. Companies for which expectations have already materialized and which stand out from their peer groups in the current market environment become visible. Topics such as scaling, market leadership, operational implementation or the continuation of existing trends characterize the dynamics of the area. The topic area is deliberately designed to be cross-sectoral. Regardless of the sector, alpha is created where performance, attention and capital come together. Relevant impulses result from the ongoing revaluation by the market - often accompanied by high news frequency, analyst interest and increased market liquidity. Target and interest groups generally correspond to those of the higher-level CORE sectors - with a clear focus on market-leading companies, confirmed trends and established winning profiles.

Typical users of GICS Alpha focus on visible winners and confirmed market strength. They look for companies where performance is no longer speculative but measurable. Relevance arises where momentum, foundation and attention are bundled.

GICS Alpha is aimed at players who want to be present where market attention is already concentrated. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, issuers, platforms, financial and information services whose topics, products or content should have an impact in an environment of maximum visibility, comparability and market resonance. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS Alpha is the strongest environment within GICS Eleven. The consistent focus on market-leading, particularly dynamic or high-profile companies creates a natural concentration of reach. Here, communication meets an audience that actively follows, discusses and processes what has already established itself on the market or is in the process of doing so. In GICS Alpha, companies, platforms and financial service providers find a space in which visibility does not have to be created, but already exists. Whether products, services, research, trading solutions, structured products, hedging strategies or short-selling infrastructures - they are addressed where attention, liquidity and information density are at their highest. In addition, GICS Alpha is a central point of contact for industry information services, leading media, stock market letters, market analysts and trade fair and conference organizers who thrive on coverage and topicality. Content, events and studies reach an audience that not only observes market developments, but also actively uses, evaluates and multiplies them.

GICS IPO is positioned as a Tier 2 module ("Trending") within GICS Eleven and is dedicated to one of the most dynamic phases in the life cycle of listed companies: the IPO and the early market phase after the initial listing. The focus is on new issues (IPOs) that have only recently become tradable on the capital market and have therefore not yet been characterized by long-term price and valuation patterns. The module deliberately looks at IPOs across all sectors. The decisive factor is not the affiliation to a specific industry sector, but the market relevance of the IPO itself: Issue volume, investor interest, price behavior in the first weeks of trading as well as the embedding in overarching market and capital market cycles. It is precisely in this early phase that new narratives, technological upheavals or changing investor preferences often become apparent before they are reflected in established indices. GICS IPO thus acts as a radar for initial listings or stock market aspirants - companies that are new to the public stage and whose further development is still open. The combination of structured coverage of recently listed companies and current company and market news makes the portal site a preferred point of contact for journalists, editorial offices and financial media who want to report promptly on new IPOs or editorialize IPO-related topics. In the overall context of GICS Eleven, GICS IPO adds a temporal dimension to the alpha perspective: while GICS Alpha makes already established winners visible, GICS IPO focuses on those companies where the market valuation, the story and the long-term potential are only just emerging.

GICS IPO bundles developments relating to IPOs and the early market phase after the initial listing. The focus is on companies that are new to the capital market as well as market processes, valuations and narratives that emerge immediately around the time of the IPO and the first trading phases. In terms of content, the topic area includes new issues, listing preparations, prospectus publications, placement details, initial trading and early price movements as well as accompanying company and market news. The decisive factor is not the sectoral affiliation of the issuers, but the event character of the IPO and the associated revaluation by the market. GICS IPO focuses on transition and discovery phases. Developments become visible in which business models face public market observation for the first time, expectations are formed and valuations settle under real trading conditions. Topics such as the issuing environment, investor interest, market windows and embedding in overarching capital market cycles characterize the dynamics of this area. The subject area is deliberately designed to be cross-sectoral. IPOs act as an interface between corporate development, capital market mechanics and market sentiment. Relevant impulses arise where innovation, growth narrative and capital market access converge - often accompanied by high news frequency and increased attention in the first weeks of trading. Target and interest groups correspond in principle to those of the superordinate CORE sectors Financials and Information Technology (depending on the issuer profile) - with a clear focus on IPOs, early market phases and capital market-specific events.

Typical users of GICS IPO are interested in market entry, valuation and early capital market dynamics. They observe companies at the moment when expectations meet reality. It is relevant where new business models are exposed to public market logic for the first time.

GICS IPO is aimed at players who see IPOs not as a singular event, but as the result of long-term market and communication work. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, issuers, consultants, platforms and financial and information services that position companies in a visible, categorizable and credible way even before the actual IPO. For agencies, PR and communications service providers, GICS IPO offers an environment in which pre-IPO topics can be strategically prepared and gradually anchored. Company announcements, growth stories, market positioning, technology narratives or strategic milestones have an impact here because they do not appear in isolation, but are perceived in the ongoing context of capital market maturity, scaling and market observation. Companies with IPO ambitions find a focused space in GICS IPO to build visibility, recognizability and consistency of content even before the formal step of going public. Communication starts earlier here: with the business model, market environment, competition, technology and management - precisely where investors, analysts and the media begin to form an initial picture. Financial service providers, research providers and specialist service providers also benefit from this approach. GICS IPO creates an environment in which products and services relating to capital market preparation, valuation, structuring, hedging or subsequent tradability can be brought to relevant target groups at an early stage - before attention is fragmented by the actual IPO. In addition, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, stock market letters as well as conference and trade fair organizers who provide editorial support or in-depth coverage of IPO topics. Studies, events or background formats reach an audience that does not just look at the first day of trading, but follows developments in advance.

GICS Crypto is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that has evolved from a niche topic to an integral part of the financial and technology world. The focus is on the entire environment of digital assets - from the technical basis to the companies that operate this infrastructure or make it usable. The topic area encompasses different perspectives. These include technology providers that develop blockchain solutions as well as operators of data centers and mining infrastructure. Trading and exchange platforms through which digital assets are traded are also part of this segment. The spectrum is complemented by new service models, for example in the area of crypto custody, which focuses on the secure storage of digital assets. GICS Crypto deliberately takes a holistic view of these developments. The focus is not on a single cryptocurrency, but on the emerging ecosystem of technology, infrastructure, services and market participants. Many of these areas have become professionalized and are increasingly embedded in existing financial and IT structures. In contrast to the early phases, in which crypto was primarily perceived as experimental, the market has broadened considerably. Companies operate globally, regulatory frameworks are gaining in importance and new fields of application are emerging beyond pure trading. GICS Crypto bundles this diversity independently of traditional industry logic. Users of this information channel receive an overview of companies and developments that are shaping the digital asset space - from the technical basis to market-related services. It is precisely this breadth that makes Crypto an independent trend sector within GICS Eleven.

GICS Crypto bundles developments relating to digital assets, blockchain-based infrastructures and new forms of financial and system architecture. The focus is not on individual coins, but on the structures, technologies and business models that have emerged around crypto assets, tokenization and decentralized systems. In terms of content, the spectrum ranges from blockchain technologies and protocols to mining and data center infrastructure, crypto exchanges and trading platforms, custody and safekeeping solutions, through to new market roles, regulatory frameworks and institutional access. Equally relevant are topics such as market liquidity, security, governance, scaling and the increasing integration with traditional financial systems. GICS Crypto places particular emphasis on transitions and maturing processes: from experimental technologies to professional, regulated market structures. Developments become visible in which technological innovation, capital market interest and regulatory classification influence each other - often accompanied by high news frequency and pronounced market volatility. Target and interest groups are basically the same as those of the overarching CORE sectors Financials and Information Technology - with a clear focus on digital financial infrastructure, new market mechanisms and technology-driven transformation processes.

Typical users of GICS Crypto are interested in new financial and system architectures beyond traditional market logic. They observe infrastructure, regulation and technological maturity processes. What becomes relevant is where digital experiments turn into resilient market structures.

GICS AI is aimed at players who develop and use artificial intelligence or make it commercially viable. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, technology and software providers, platform operators, infrastructure and data providers as well as financial and information services whose business models are based on automation, data processing and intelligent systems. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS AI offers an environment in which AI-related content is not perceived as a buzzword, but as a strategic reality. Product announcements, studies, use cases, platform strategies or thought leadership formats have an impact here because they meet an audience that actively classifies, evaluates and integrates AI into decision-making processes. Manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space in GICS AI for offerings that increase efficiency, support decisions or enable new business models. Whether basic models, specialized applications, cloud infrastructure, data services or AI-supported tools - visibility is created where artificial intelligence goes from experiment to productive application. At the same time, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, analyst firms, stock market letters as well as conference and trade fair organizers whose content thrives on topicality, classification and technological depth. Events, publications and market analyses reach an audience that does not view AI in isolation, but as a cross-sectional technology with an impact on almost all industries

GICS Cannabis is positioned as a Tier 2 module ("Trending") within GICS Eleven and is dedicated to one of the most dynamic phases in the life cycle of listed companies: the IPO and the early market phase after the initial listing. The focus is on new issues (IPOs) that have only recently become tradable on the capital market and have therefore not yet been characterized by long-term price and valuation patterns. The module deliberately looks at IPOs across all sectors. The decisive factor is not the affiliation to a specific industry sector, but the market relevance of the IPO itself: Issue volume, investor interest, price behavior in the first weeks of trading as well as the embedding in overarching market and capital market cycles. It is precisely in this early phase that new narratives, technological upheavals or changing investor preferences often become apparent before they are reflected in established indices. GICS IPO thus acts as a radar for initial listings or stock market aspirants - companies that are new to the public stage and whose further development is still open. The combination of structured coverage of recently listed companies and current company and market news makes the portal site a preferred point of contact for journalists, editorial offices and financial media who want to report promptly on new IPOs or editorialize IPO-related topics. In the overall context of GICS Eleven, GICS IPO adds a temporal dimension to the alpha perspective: while GICS Alpha makes already established winners visible, GICS IPO focuses on those companies where the market valuation, the story and the long-term potential are only just emerging.

GICS Cannabis focuses on developments in the field of regulated, medical cannabis applications along the entire value chain - from research and cultivation to processing, distribution and related services and markets. The focus is on topics such as alternative and complementary medical approaches, regulatory changes, market access, corporate activities and events relevant to the capital market in a dynamically developing environment. The target and interest groups correspond in principle to those of the overarching CORE Health Care sector - with a clear thematic focus on alternative medicine, new therapeutic approaches and adjacent growth markets such as cannabis, longevity or comparable regulated healthcare segments.

Typical users of GICS Cannabis are interested in regulated growth markets at the interface of medicine, politics and business. They observe where new therapeutic approaches, social acceptance and market liberalization come together. Relevance arises when alternative medical topics move from the niche into resilient market structures.

GICS Betting is aimed at players who understand betting, gaming and gambling-related entertainment as a regulated, data-driven market. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, platform operators, technology and software providers, payment and compliance service providers as well as financial and information services whose business models are based on user interaction, probabilities and scalable transaction models. For agencies, marketing and PR service providers, GICS Betting offers an environment in which communication is contextualized and targeted rather than sensationalized. Product updates, market entries, regulatory classifications, partnerships or market studies have an impact here because they meet an audience that soberly evaluates betting markets and differentiates between entertainment, regulation and profitability. Platforms, technology and solution providers find a focused space in GICS Betting for offerings that enable reach, monetization or risk management. Whether betting platforms, eSports providers, casino operators, data and odds services or hedging solutions - visibility is created where betting is understood as a structured market with clear framework conditions. The portal also addresses industry information services, specialist media, research providers, stock market newsletters and trade fair and event organizers whose content is based on topicality, market understanding and regulatory classification. Studies, reports and events reach an audience that sees betting not as a marginal topic, but as an established part of the entertainment and platform economy.

GICS Defence is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that has noticeably gained in importance in recent years: Defense, security and military-related technologies. For a long time, this sector played a rather reserved role on the capital markets, not least due to political and social reservations. This has changed. New security policy framework conditions and a changed geopolitical environment have led to defense being perceived much more strongly again today. Investments no longer only concern traditional armaments, but also areas such as protection systems, logistics, communication and technology-driven solutions. In this environment, new providers are emerging, existing companies are expanding their activities and the capital market is moving closer to a topic that has long been marginalized. It is precisely this shift that is currently making the defence sector particularly eye-catching.

GICS Defence focuses on developments in the field of defense, security-related technologies and military-related infrastructure. The focus is on companies, systems and technologies that contribute directly or indirectly to the state and civil security architecture. In terms of content, the topic area covers classic defense areas as well as modern, technology-driven applications. These include security-relevant platforms, protection and sensor systems, communication technologies, logistics and supply chains, as well as increasingly software- and data-based solutions that support military and security-related decision-making processes. GICS Defence focuses on structural shifts within the sector: increasing defence budgets, changing procurement strategies, international cooperation, technological modernization and the growing importance of dual-use technologies that are used in both military and civilian contexts. Particularly visible are those developments in which geopolitical conditions, technological innovation and industrial value creation intertwine. The thematic focus also includes questions of demarcation - for example between classic armaments, security-relevant infrastructure and adjacent fields of technology such as cyber, space or communication systems. It is precisely these interfaces that characterize the current dynamics of the defence sector. Target and interest groups are basically the same as those of the overarching CORE sectors Industrials and Information Technology - with a clear focus on security-relevant technologies, government demand and geopolitical market structures.

Typical users of GICS Defense think of security as a governmental, technological and industrial task. They track procurement, technology and geopolitical dependencies. Relevance arises where defense has economic and industrial consequences.

GICS Defence is aimed at players who understand security, defense and geopolitical stability as economically and technologically relevant factors. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, technology and defense companies, suppliers, infrastructure providers as well as financial and information services whose services are related to state security, military procurement and defense-related technologies. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS Defence offers an environment in which sensitive topics can be placed in a factual, responsible and contextually strong manner. Announcements on technologies, cooperations, studies or strategic initiatives have an impact here because they meet an audience that does not emotionalize defence, but places it in a political, economic and industrial context. In GICS Defence, manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space for offerings that improve protection, operational capability and resilience. Whether systems, components, software, logistics solutions or security-related services - visibility is created where defense is not seen in isolation, but as part of industrial value creation, government procurement and long-term planning. In addition, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, security policy publications, research providers and conference and trade fair organizers whose content thrives on depth, classification and credibility. Studies, events and specialist formats reach an audience that pursues defense as a strategic, ongoing topic and not as a short-term reaction to events.

GICS CyberSecurity is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that is closely linked to modern security and defense issues: the protection of digital infrastructures, systems and data. While security used to be thought of primarily in physical terms, the focus has shifted significantly with increasing digitalization. Today, attacks often take place in the digital space - quietly, permanently and across borders. Cyber security has therefore become an integral part of modern security architectures. The trend ranges from classic IT security and the protection of critical infrastructures to specialized solutions for government institutions and companies. Technological dependencies, networked systems and new attack surfaces have meant that cyber security is no longer seen as a marginal issue, but as a fundamental prerequisite for stability and the ability to act. In this environment, new providers are emerging, existing companies are expanding their offerings and the capital market is increasingly focusing on an area that has long worked in the background. It is precisely this shift that makes cyber security particularly relevant at the moment.

GICS CyberSecurity bundles developments relating to the protection of digital infrastructures, data and systems in an increasingly networked and digitalized world. The focus is on technologies, services and organizational approaches that are designed to identify digital risks, ward them off and make them manageable. The topics covered range from IT and network security, cloud, platform and application protection to identity, access and data management. Threat situations, attack patterns, new security architectures and the growing importance of resilience, monitoring and incident response are also covered. Cyber security is not viewed in isolation, but as an integral part of modern business, administration and infrastructure systems. GICS CyberSecurity focuses on dynamic threat and adaptation cycles. Security requirements are constantly changing - driven by technological innovation, increasing automation, regulatory requirements and new attack surfaces. Particularly visible are those developments in which technical protective measures, organizational responsibility and regulatory requirements overlap. The topic area also deliberately includes interfaces to adjacent fields, such as cloud infrastructure, industrial and IoT systems, financial and healthcare data or state and critical infrastructures. It is precisely these overlaps that characterize the relevance of the sector and determine the speed at which new security solutions are developed and adapted. Target and interest groups are basically the same as those of the overarching CORE sectors Information Technology, Industrials and Communication Services - with a clear focus on digital security, operational resilience and regulatory market requirements

Typical users of GICS CyberSecurity are concerned with digital risks, resilience and system protection. They think in terms of threats, adaptation cycles and regulatory requirements. What is relevant is where security becomes a permanent competitive factor.

GICS CyberSecurity is aimed at players who see digital security as a business-critical requirement. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, technology and software providers, security service providers, infrastructure operators and financial and information services whose services are aimed at protecting data, systems and digital processes. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS CyberSecurity offers an environment in which security-relevant content is not alarmist, but well-founded and contextualized. Product presentations, studies, threat analyses, regulatory classifications or thought leadership formats have an impact here because they meet an audience that assesses cyber risks objectively and classifies them strategically. In GICS CyberSecurity, manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space for offerings that enable the prevention, detection, defense or resilience of digital systems. Whether network security, cloud security, identity management, monitoring solutions or compliance services - visibility is created where security is understood as a permanent management and investment task. The portal also addresses industry information services, specialist media, research providers, stock market letters as well as conference and trade fair organizers whose content thrives on topicality, credibility and technical depth. Publications, reports and events reach an audience that sees cyber security not as an IT detail, but as a company-wide and social challenge.

GICS Beauty is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that has developed around body care, appearance and personal optimization. The spectrum of topics is broad and ranges from manufacturers of medical and dermatological products to cosmetics and skincare companies to perfume and fragrance brands. The sector combines different worlds that have come very close together in recent years. Medical applications, aesthetic treatments and classic care products are increasingly overlapping. Innovations are emerging in research as well as in brand image, product development and sales. Beauty is no longer just seen as a luxury, but also as part of health, well-being and personal lifestyle. GICS Beauty includes, among other things: Providers of medical and cosmetic treatment products, manufacturers of skin, hair and body care, perfume and fragrance producers, brands with a strong focus on lifestyle, self-image and identity. 

The market is characterized by strong brand loyalty, high recognizability and global demand. At the same time, new providers are emerging that specifically occupy niches or reinterpret traditional categories. The capital market is increasingly focusing on companies that manage to combine medical expertise, consumer products and brand building. GICS Beauty bundles this development independently of traditional industry boundaries. The focus is on companies that scale beauty products and concepts - be it through innovation, brand strength or new distribution channels. It is precisely this mix that makes beauty an independent and clearly definable trend sector within GICS Eleven.

GICS Beauty bundles developments relating to beauty, care and aesthetics-oriented health and consumer markets that focus on physical well-being, appearance and personal care. The focus is on business models ranging from classic cosmetics to more medical applications. In terms of content, the topic area includes care and cosmetic products, perfume and fragrance worlds, dermocosmetics as well as medically and technologically supported beauty applications. Suppliers and brands that focus on aesthetic optimization, prevention, personalized products or new active ingredient and product concepts are also included. The decisive factor is not the individual category, but the common bracket of care, aesthetics and increasingly science-based product development. GICS Beauty focuses on trend cycles, brand and sales dynamics. It highlights developments in which consumer preferences, ingredient and quality requirements, price positioning or distribution channels are shifting - for example through direct-to-consumer models, platforms, social commerce or new forms of personalization. The topic area is deliberately designed to be interface-oriented. Beauty combines lifestyle and consumption with health-related aspects. Accordingly, relevant impulses arise at the transitions to Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples and Health Care - where care products, medical applications, regulation, proof of efficacy and brand management intertwine. Target and interest groups correspond in principle to those of the overarching CORE sectors Consumer Discretionary and Health Care - with a clear focus on beauty, care and aesthetics-oriented growth markets.

Typical users of GICS Beauty are concerned with skincare, aesthetics and personalized consumption. They follow brands, product innovations and new active ingredient or application concepts. Relevance arises where beauty is located between lifestyle and medicine.

GICS Beauty is aimed at players who understand beauty, care and aesthetic well-being as an economically relevant interplay of product, brand and effectiveness. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, manufacturers, platforms and service providers from the fields of cosmetics, dermocosmetics, perfume, medically assisted beauty applications and related technology and service providers. For agencies, marketing and PR service providers, GICS Beauty offers an environment in which communication is not purely emotional, but credible and contextualized. Product launches, studies, active ingredient innovations, brand positioning or new sales models have an impact here because they meet an audience that differentiates between lifestyle, effectiveness and long-term consumer behavior when it comes to beauty topics. In GICS Beauty, manufacturers, brands and platform operators find a focused space for offerings that combine care, aesthetics and individualization. Whether classic cosmetics, medically inspired products, personalized solutions or premium and luxury segments - visibility is created where beauty is understood as a continuous market with recurring demand. In addition, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, trend and market research providers as well as trade fair and event organizers whose content thrives on proximity to consumer trends, innovations and brand movements. Studies, reports and events reach an audience that recognizes, evaluates and economically exploits beauty markets at an early stage.

GICS Lifestyle is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on markets in which consumption, identity and lifestyle are directly linked. The thematic scope is deliberately broad and encompasses everything that shapes everyday life, leisure and individual expression. This includes manufacturers of sports and outdoor articles, fashion and clothing companies, large e-commerce platforms and brands that sell consumer goods via digital and stationary channels. The spectrum is supplemented by providers in the premium and luxury segment - from high-quality consumer goods, exclusive vehicles and yachts to real estate projects with a strong lifestyle focus. In contrast to GICS Entertainment, which focuses on experiences, events and content, GICS Lifestyle focuses on long-term consumption and usage behavior. Products and brands accompany people over longer periods of time, become part of their personal environment and are closely linked to status, self-image and habits. The market is characterized by strong brand impact, global reach and a clear target group approach. Digital sales models, social media and direct customer relationships have led to lifestyle brands now operating far beyond traditional industry logics. At the same time, the boundaries between everyday products, premium products and luxury goods are becoming increasingly blurred. GICS Lifestyle bundles this diversity independently of individual industry categories. The focus is on companies that shape lifestyles, set trends and emotionally charge consumption - be it through function, design, exclusivity or accessibility. It is precisely this breadth and proximity to everyday life that makes lifestyle an independent trend sector within GICS Eleven.

GICS Lifestyle bundles developments relating to consumption- and identity-driven lifestyles in which products, brands and services are an expression of attitude, status, leisure behavior or personal preference. The focus is on markets in which consumption is not primarily functional, but rather emotional, aesthetic or experience-based. In terms of content, the topic area includes sports and outdoor brands, fashion and clothing manufacturers, e-commerce and platform models, premium and luxury brands as well as providers of high-quality consumer goods. It also covers luxury segments in areas such as automotive, water sports, travel, living and real estate, where design, exclusivity and brand perception play a central role. GICS Lifestyle focuses on trends in consumer behavior, shifts between the mass market and the premium segment and the increasing importance of brand management, direct sales and community loyalty. Developments become visible in which purchasing decisions are based less on necessity and more on lifestyle, affiliation and personal identification. The topic area is deliberately broad, but connects different sectors through a common motif: lifestyle as an economic factor. Digital sales channels, social commerce, influencer ecosystems and global brand strategies act as connecting elements between very different business models. Target and interest groups are basically the same as those of the overarching CORE sectors Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services and Information Technology - with a clear focus on lifestyle-driven consumer markets, brand economics and trend-driven demand behavior.

Typical users of GICS Lifestyle are concerned with consumption as an expression of identity and status. They observe brands, trends and premium segments. Relevance arises where products define lifestyles.

GICS Lifestyle is aimed at players who shape consumption, identity and status economically or accompany them in terms of communication. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, brand manufacturers, platforms and service providers from the fashion, outdoor, sports, e-commerce, premium and luxury segments - through to high-quality consumer and investment goods in mobility, leisure and living. For agencies, marketing and PR service providers, GICS Lifestyle offers an environment in which communication is not functional but creates identity. Brand stories, product launches, campaigns or positioning topics have an impact here because they meet an audience that sees consumption as an expression of lifestyle, attitude and belonging. Product manufacturers, platform operators and service providers find a focused space in GICS Lifestyle for offerings that address freedom of choice, individuality and premium standards. Whether fashion, outdoor equipment, luxury brands, marketplaces or digital services - visibility is created where products shape lifestyles and not just fulfill needs. The portal also addresses industry information services, trend and market research providers, specialist media, stock market newsletters and trade fair and event organizers whose content thrives on proximity to consumer trends and cultural shifts. Studies, reports and events reach an audience that recognizes lifestyle markets at an early stage, classifies them and uses them economically.

GICS AI is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that has developed from a specialist topic to a central technology across many industries in a short space of time. The focus is on the entire field of artificial intelligence - from the technical basis to the companies that develop AI, use it or make it available as a service. The topic area encompasses different perspectives. These include software and technology companies that develop AI models, algorithms or platforms, as well as providers of computing power, cloud infrastructure and specialized chips. Companies that translate AI into specific applications - for example in industry, healthcare, finance or the everyday use of digital products - are also part of this segment. GICS AI deliberately takes a holistic view of these developments. The focus is not on a single application or technology, but on the resulting interplay of data, computing power, software and practical use. Many of these areas have become highly professionalized and have long since become an integral part of existing business models and processes. In contrast to early phases in which artificial intelligence was primarily seen as a promise for the future, AI is now deeply embedded in real applications. Companies use it to automate processes, support decisions or enable new products and services. At the same time, new providers are emerging that specialize specifically in individual building blocks of AI value creation. GICS AI bundles this diversity independently of traditional industry classifications. Users of this information channel receive an overview of companies and developments that are shaping the use and further development of artificial intelligence - from the technical basis to market-oriented applications. It is precisely this breadth that makes AI an independent and central trend sector within GICS Eleven.

GICS AI bundles developments relating to artificial intelligence as a basic technology and application layer of modern digital systems. The focus is not on individual tools or hypes, but on the technological foundations, infrastructures and fields of application through which AI becomes effective in business, administration and society. In terms of content, the topic area covers models and algorithms, training and computing infrastructure, data ecosystems, software and platform approaches as well as specific use cases - from automation and decision support to speech, image and pattern recognition through to specialized solutions in industry, finance, healthcare and the media. Equally relevant are questions of scaling, integration into existing systems and the transition from experimental approaches to productive applications. GICS AI focuses on transformation processes that are triggered or accelerated by AI. It highlights developments in which productivity, business models and working methods are changing, as well as new dependencies on data, computing power and technological sovereignty. The analysis also includes regulatory, ethical and organizational aspects, insofar as they shape the practical use and market penetration of AI. The subject area is deliberately cross-sectional. AI does not work in isolation, but rather unfolds its relevance at the interfaces with software, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, robotics, communication and data-driven business models. It is precisely these interdependencies that determine the dynamics of the field and make GICS AI a central trend topic with a far-reaching impact. The target and interest groups basically correspond to those of the overarching CORE sectors Information Technology and Communication Services, supplemented by all areas in which AI is making inroads as a key productive technology.

Typical users of GICS AI view artificial intelligence as a cross-sectional key technology. They pursue infrastructure, application and scaling instead of individual tools. Where AI redefines decisions, processes and business models becomes relevant.

GICS AI is aimed at players who develop and use artificial intelligence or make it commercially viable. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, technology and software providers, platform operators, infrastructure and data providers as well as financial and information services whose business models are based on automation, data processing and intelligent systems. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS AI offers an environment in which AI-related content is not perceived as a buzzword, but as a strategic reality. Product announcements, studies, use cases, platform strategies or thought leadership formats have an impact here because they meet an audience that actively classifies, evaluates and integrates AI into decision-making processes. Manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space in GICS AI for offerings that increase efficiency, support decisions or enable new business models. Whether basic models, specialized applications, cloud infrastructure, data services or AI-supported tools - visibility is created where artificial intelligence goes from experiment to productive application. At the same time, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, analyst firms, stock market letters as well as conference and trade fair organizers whose content thrives on topicality, classification and technological depth. Events, publications and market analyses reach an audience that does not view AI in isolation, but as a cross-sectional technology with an impact on almost all sectors.

GICS Robotics is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on a market that is becoming increasingly important: the development and use of robots in industry, business and everyday life. The focus is on technologies that automate, support or completely take over tasks. One central area is the industrial use of robotics. This includes robots in production lines as well as systems that perform heavy, monotonous or unhealthy tasks. In many industries, they replace or supplement human labor where precision, endurance or safety are paramount. GICS Robotics also covers applications outside of traditional industrial environments. These include household and service robots, smart home solutions and technologies that enable autonomous or semi-autonomous action. Developments in the field of autonomous driving can also be assigned to this topic area, as they are based on similar technical principles. GICS Robotics deliberately takes a holistic view of these developments. The focus is not on a single type of robot, but on the interaction between mechanics, sensors, software and control systems. Many companies operate at the interface to other future topics such as artificial intelligence, automation and networked infrastructure. GICS Robotics bundles this diversity independently of traditional industry classifications. Users of this information channel receive an overview of companies and developments that are driving forward the use of robotics - from industrial solutions to applications in the private sphere. It is precisely this range that makes robotics an independent and future-oriented trend sector within GICS Eleven.

GICS Robotics bundles developments relating to robotic systems, autonomous technologies and automated applications in industry, services and everyday life. The focus is not on individual products, but on the technological foundations, fields of application and business models that are shaping the transition from manual to automated processes. In terms of content, the spectrum ranges from industrial robotics and production automation to service robotics, logistics and warehouse automation, autonomous systems, sensor technology, control software and AI-supported decision-making models. Equally relevant are applications in the healthcare sector, in care, in the home and in security or infrastructure-sensitive areas. Robotics is understood as the interaction of hardware, software and data. GICS Robotics focuses on productivity gains, increased efficiency and the substitution of activities that are physically demanding or harmful to health. In particular, it highlights those developments in which automation changes existing value chains, creates new market roles or permanently shifts investment and cost structures. The subject area deliberately includes interfaces to adjacent fields - such as artificial intelligence, sensor technology, embedded software, smart manufacturing, smart homes and autonomous driving. It is precisely these links that determine the dynamics of the robotics environment and make it clear that robotics is less a single market than a technological cross-section. The target and interest groups correspond in principle to those of the overarching CORE sectors Industrials and Information Technology - with a clear focus on automation, efficiency gains and technology-driven transformation processes.

Typical users of GICS Robotics are interested in automation as an answer to efficiency, cost and labor market issues. They observe where machines take over tasks that were previously reserved for humans. Relevance arises where robotics fundamentally changes value creation.

GICS Robotics is aimed at players who develop, market or provide strategic support for automation, human-machine interaction and autonomous systems. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, technology and component manufacturers, software providers, system integrators and financial and information services whose services are anchored in the context of industrial, commercial or household robotics. For agencies, PR and communication service providers, GICS Robotics offers an environment in which technological content is not exaggerated in a futuristic way, but is categorized in real economic terms. Product launches, platform strategies, studies or partnerships have an impact here because they meet an audience that understands robotics as an answer to efficiency, cost and labor market issues. In GICS Robotics, manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space for offerings that automate production processes, scale services or open up new fields of application. Whether industrial robotics, autonomous systems, sensor technology, software, smart home technologies or robotics-related infrastructure - visibility is created where automation has a concrete economic impact. At the same time, the portal addresses industry information services, trade media, analysts, stock market letters as well as trade fair and conference organizers whose content thrives on innovation density and classification. Events, publications and market studies reach an audience that sees robotics not as a vision, but as an investment and implementation topic.

GICS Sports is a trend area within GICS Eleven and focuses on markets that are directly or indirectly linked to sporting activity. The focus is not on a single sport, but on the entire environment that enables, accompanies or organizes movement, training and sporting activity. This includes traditional sports equipment suppliers as well as manufacturers of sports and functional clothing. Companies that develop wearables - for example to measure performance, exercise or health - are also part of this topic area. The spectrum is supplemented by providers from the fitness and training sector as well as organizers of sporting events with a wide reach. GICS Sports also includes companies that provide digital support for sporting activity. These include software and technology providers that develop apps and platforms, for example for training, performance analysis or preventative healthcare in connection with sport. The transition between physical activity and digital support is fluid. In contrast to GICS Lifestyle or GICS Entertainment, GICS Sports focuses on active participation. It is not about consumption or staging, but about movement, performance and physical activity - whether in competitive, popular or recreational sport. GICS Sports  bundles the above-mentioned topics independently of classic industry classifications, without ultimately committing itself to a specific content. Users of this information channel will find an overview of companies and developments relating to sport, fitness and exercise, from equipment and technology to organization, digital support and, ultimately, sport as an experience and unifying element.

GICS Sports bundles developments relating to sports-related activities, markets and business models that focus on physical performance, competition, training and health. The focus is on companies and offers that make sport economically viable as a product, service or infrastructure. In terms of content, the topic area includes sports equipment and clothing, fitness and training providers, wearables and sports-related technologies, as well as organizers of sporting events with mass appeal. This is supplemented by digital applications, software and platforms that support training, performance analysis, preventative healthcare or community building in a sporting context. GICS Sports focuses on active, health and performance-oriented consumption patterns. Developments in which sport is increasingly being combined with technology, data analysis and lifestyle are becoming visible. Topics such as the individualization of training, digital support, new competition formats and hybrid offerings are shaping the dynamics of the sector. The topic area is deliberately designed to connect. Sport acts as an interface between health, technology, entertainment and consumption. Accordingly, relevant impulses arise at the transitions to health care, lifestyle, entertainment and information technology, where new products, services and business models are established. Target and interest groups are basically the same as those of the overarching CORE sectors Consumer Discretionary and Health Care - with a clear focus on sports-related markets, active lifestyles and health-related applications.

Typical users of GICS Sports are interested in performance, health and active consumption patterns. They observe the combination of sport, technology and lifestyle. What is relevant is where movement becomes a market.

GICS Sports is aimed at players who understand sport as an economic, technological and social factor. It is aimed at advertisers, agencies, sporting goods and equipment manufacturers, platforms, event organizers, technology providers and financial and information services whose business models are based on performance, health, reach and active demand. For agencies, marketing and PR service providers, GICS Sports offers an environment in which communication is directly linked to motivation, identification and performance. Product launches, sponsorship concepts, studies or campaigns have an impact here because they meet an audience that not only consumes sport, but actively lives it, follows it or evaluates it economically. Manufacturers, technology and solution providers find a focused space in GICS Sports for offers that improve training, performance, health or sporting experiences. Whether equipment, wearables, fitness solutions, digital applications or event formats - visibility is created where sport becomes measurable, comparable and scalable. In addition, the portal addresses industry information services, specialist media, stock market letters, associations and trade fair and event organizers whose content thrives on topicality, proximity to sporting events and market understanding. Events, studies and publications reach an audience that does not view sporting developments in isolation, but rather in the context of markets, brands and demand.