London-based ETF Securities has reported that its range of disruptive technology ETFs, consisting of the firm’s cybersecurity and robotics & automation ETFs, has passed $1 billion in assets under management.
ETF Securities’ ROBO Global Robotics and Automation GO UCITS ETF has returned 39.1% over the past 12 months.
Frank Spiteri, head of distribution, ETF Securities, said: “The success of the Future Present ETF range highlights how investors’ needs continue to evolve, creating opportunities for new and smarter solutions that fit within strategic long-term thematic allocations. Building new ETFs into a $1bn range so quickly demonstrates our capacity to cater to this demand, as well as the effectiveness of our focused distribution strategy in servicing our clients.”
Howie Li, CEO of CANVAS, ETF Securities’ UCITS platform, added: “The success of our Future Present ETF range confirms our belief that technology stocks are engines of growth for investors, as well as helping to diversify investor portfolios. We believe that long-term exposure to robotics and automation manufacturers as well as cybersecurity stocks allow investors to access an unparalleled fourth technological and industrial revolution. We continue to recognise that the exponential use of data for technological advances, the drive for efficiency and the quest for sustainability are together shaping our future society and changing the way that we live and work.”
The ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation GO UCITS ETF (ROBO), launched in October 2014 in partnership with ROBO-GLOBAL, has passed the $715 million AUM mark. The fund was Europe’s first global robotics and automation ETF.
Richard Lightbound, CEO, EMEA at ROBO-GLOBAL, the index provider for the ETF said: “Investors are increasingly embracing our index because it delivers meaningful exposure to leading-edge robotics, automation and AI firms from around the world. This is a complex challenge. Simplistic index methodologies will not deliver the required exposure on a consistent basis. We are proud to have our deep network of dedicated robotics and AI experts on our advisory board to continue to map the growth of this industry which has made our index methodology so successful.”
Over the last 12 months, ROBO has delivered performance of 39.1%, compared to 16.6% for the MSCI ACWI Index. Since inception, the fund has returned 51.6%, while ACWI has returned 18.1%.
The ETFS ISE Cyber Security GO UCITS ETF (ISPY), launched in October 2015, has reached $316m in assets. The ETF offers exposure to global companies combating the rising threat of cyber crime and the risk it poses to governments and companies.
Dave Gedeon, Head of Research and Development for Nasdaq Global Information Services, which manages the ISE Cyber Security UCITS Index said: ““The cyber security sector is fast-moving, so it is vital that the underlying index be flexible enough to enable investors to have an optimal exposure to this developing sector. We will continue to research and evolve our index to serve our global partners in delivering an investable solution to capture this sustained growth in cybersecurity.”