Netting around $100 billion in inflows in 2021, Thematic ETFs have grown to become one of the go-to investment vehicles to gain exposure to themes, trends, and megatrends shaping our future. The universe has further expanded this year and received over $1.3 billion in net flows despite notable exoduses from riskier assets amid inflation and counter-inflation concerns.

Recently, multiple thematic ETFs were released for investor consumption across the globe. In America, First Trust launched the First Trust S-Network Streaming & Gaming ETF (BNGE). The fund tracks the S-Network Streaming & Gaming Index and provides exposure to companies engaged in online services related to gaming and content streaming. The issuer also announced a makeover of two existing funds ? the First Trust NASDAQ Global Auto Index Fund (CARZ) changed to First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Technology ETF (CARZ) and the First Trust Nasdaq Retail ETF (FTXD) changed to the First Trust S-Network E-Commerce ETF (ISHP). CARZ will track the S-Network Electric & Future Vehicle Ecosystem Index ? providing exposure to companies engaged in the development and sales of electric and autonomous vehicle technologies. Meanwhile, ISHP will track an index called the S-Network Global E-Commerce Index, which provides exposure to companies involved in the global e-commerce industry. The new launch and upgrades bring First Trust?s overall thematic ETF range to a total of 26 funds.

Also adding to its large thematic roster, Global X ETFs launched the Global X Disruptive Materials ETF (DMAT), which tracks the Solactive Disruptive Materials Index. The selection of the companies is driven by Solactive?s proprietary Natural Language Processing Engine ARTIS, which uses advanced algorithms to analyze high volumes of public documents evaluating companies' exposure to exploration and mining, production of disruptive materials, and enhancements of disruptive materials. The disruptive materials classification encompasses carbon fiber & carbon materials, cobalt, copper, graphene & graphite, lithium, manganese, nickel, palladium & platinum, rare earth elements, and zinc.

In Europe, Global X launches its 17th thematic ETF, the Blockchain UCITS ETF (BKXH) adding to the firm?s growing UCITS line-up (18). With a total expense ratio of 0.50%, BKCH tracks the Solactive Blockchain v2 Index and is designed to provide investors access to a broad basket of companies positioned to benefit from increased blockchain adoption. On the other hand, the global crypto ETPs line-up welcomes two new members to the family ? the CoinShares Physical Staked Tezos (XTZS) and CoinShares Physical Staked Polkadot (CDOT) by digital asset specialists CoinShares. According to the provider, the Staked ETPs are built to allow them to share staking rewards with investors by reducing the management fee and increasing the Coin Entitlement of the ETP each day, as staking awards accrue. Crypto staking is a process used to verify cryptocurrency transactions. It involves committing holdings to support a blockchain network and confirm the transactions and allows participants to earn passive income on their holdings. The XTZS will have 0% in management fees and a staking reward of 3.0% per annum. CDOT has management fees of 0% and a staking reward of 5.0% per annum.

In APAC, Fubon Asset Management jumped on the metaverse bandwagon and launched the Fubon Metaverse ETF (00903) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The fund tracks the Solactive Metaverse Index and provides exposure to companies involved in Metaverse technology, platforms, devices, interchange standards, and data processing.

 

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