KB Asset Management said on the 3rd that the "RISE hydrogen economy theme" exchange-traded fund (ETF) is drawing attention as a flagship product that invests across national strategic infrastructure.
Amid structural changes in industry, such as a surge in power demand driven by the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), energy security, and stronger carbon-neutral policies, hydrogen is seen not just as eco-friendly energy but as a foundational element of core national infrastructure.
This ETF goes beyond past theme products centered on hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells to invest across national strategic industries, including AI infrastructure, defense, and power grids—an infrastructure ETF. KB Asset Management said it does not confine itself to a single energy industry and instead includes core infrastructure corporations that reflect changes in Korea's industrial structure.
Key holdings include Hyundai Motor, Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Mobis, Doosan Enerbility, POSCO Holdings, Hyosung Heavy Industries, and LS Electric. The top seven stocks account for about 85%. These corporations, based on hydrogen-related technologies, play important roles across national strategic industries such as AI-based mobility, defense and space, Small Modular Reactor (SMR), and power grid infrastructure.
The "RISE hydrogen economy theme" ETF returned 23.92%, 51.56%, and 141.15% over the past one month, six months, and one year, respectively.
Yuk Dong-hwi, head of ETF product marketing at KB Asset Management, said, "The 'RISE hydrogen economy theme ETF' is an investment vehicle that spans power infrastructure driving AI, defense and space industries, future mobility, and even energy security," adding, "It will be a meaningful option for investors seeking to invest in core national infrastructure amid industrial structural change."