As humanoid (human-like) robot technology advances rapidly and interest in the related industry grows, asset management corporations are preparing to launch exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest in humanoid robot corporations.
According to the industry on the 27th, Samsung Asset Management, KB Asset Management, and Hanwha Asset Management are undergoing scrutiny by the Korea Exchange to launch humanoid robot ETFs. Samsung Asset Management has completed the issuance of the standard codes needed for ETF listing under the name 'KODEX US Humanoid Robot.' KB Asset Management has issued 'RISE US Humanoid Robot,' and Hanwha Asset Management has completed the standard code issuance for 'PLUS Global Humanoid Robot Active.' They are expected to be listed on the stock market as early as April.
Humanoid robots, which mimic the appearance of humans, are distinct from general robots that perform specific tasks in that they act like humans and interact with people. Because they need to perform various actions and tasks like a human, they require more complex and sophisticated technology than general robots.
This year, robot stocks have led the domestic stock market and gained significant popularity, while interest in humanoid robots, regarded as the next generation of robots, has also increased. In response to this investment demand, asset management companies appear to be launching humanoid robot ETF products.
A representative from an asset management corporation noted, "The most attention-grabbing theme in the domestic stock market earlier this year was 'robots.' In particular, as the market for humanoid robots is just beginning to form, significant growth is expected among small and medium-sized companies that produce related software and components."
ETFs investing in corporations that produce general robots have already been listed. Examples include 'KODEX K-Robot Active,' 'KODEX Global Robot (Synthetic),' 'RISE AI & Robotics,' 'TIGER Global AI & Robotics INDXX,' and 'KoAct Global AI & Robot Active.'
These asset management companies plan to differentiate their offerings by forming ETFs that can focus investment on corporations with high technological capabilities in humanoid robots.
The ETFs prepared by Samsung Asset Management and KB Asset Management are products that invest in U.S. humanoid robot corporations. It is reported that the investment proportion in big tech companies such as Tesla and NVIDIA is significantly high.
Earlier, Samsung Asset Management launched the country's first humanoid robot thematic fund on the 4th. This fund is characterized by its focus on 'physical AI,' evaluated as the final stage of artificial intelligence (AI) development, investing in the growth of the global humanoid robot industry, with a high proportion of investment in Chinese robot-related corporations listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Hanwha Asset Management is uniquely preparing an active product. It is noted that many corporations with high technological capabilities in humanoid robots are not publicly listed, and they intend to actively manage funds as the turnover in the robot industry is rapid.
The ETF will focus on investing in advanced foreign corporations, excluding China, among hardware (components) related corporations that have substantial growth potential, rather than software companies whose stock prices have recently surged. In the humanoid robot development sector, significant investments are expected in Tesla, while in the robotic joint (actuator) sector, investments are notable in Harmonic Drive (Japan), and in the sensor (robot eye) sector, a significant investment proportion is reported in LG Innotek and Kinesis (Japan). Big tech companies such as NVIDIA are expected to be excluded from the investment targets to create differentiation from existing big tech ETFs.