Latest news with #KOID
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 Humanoid Robot ETFs Now Trading as AI Boom Expands
A second exchange-traded fund focused on humanoid robotics hit the market Thursday, highlighting growing investor interest in one of the most ambitious applications of artificial intelligence. The Roundhill Humanoid Robotics ETF (HUMN) began trading today, coming just three weeks after the launch of the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (KOID). While Roundhill claims HUMN is the first 'U.S.-listed ETF dedicated to humanoid robotics,' that distinction is debatable. KOID, which launched in early June, also targets companies developing human-like robots and related technologies. KOID defines its focus as 'artificial intelligence (AI) systems integrated into physical machines that can sense, learn, and interact with the real world.' Within that framework, humanoid robotics is a key subset, referring specifically to robots with human-like forms and capabilities, designed to operate in environments built for people, such as factories, hospitals and homes. KOID tracks the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index and currently has around $3.2 million in assets under management. The ETF holds 51 equally weighted stocks, ranging from large-cap names like Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) and Tesla Inc. (TSLA), to smaller players such as MP Materials Corp. (MP) and Melexis NV. The fund's holdings span the full humanoid ecosystem, including: The 'brain' (AI software, semiconductors and compute infrastructure) The 'body' (actuators, sensors, perception systems and key materials) Systems integrators and manufacturers of humanoid robots KOID is globally diversified, with exposure to companies in the U.S., China and Japan. In contrast, HUMN is actively managed and currently holds 30 stocks. According to its prospectus, the fund targets companies that either manufacture humanoid robots directly or supply critical enabling technologies, such as precision actuators, tactile sensors, locomotion AI stacks and power systems. Top holdings in HUMN include: Tesla (12.6%), which is developing the Optimus humanoid robot Nvidia (8%), a major provider of AI tools and hardware for robotics Other key companies in China, South Korea, Japan and Sweden Roundhill has made a name for itself by launching ETFs tied to emerging tech trends. Its Roundhill Ball Metaverse ETF (METV)—one of the first funds to target the virtual reality and metaverse space—currently boasts over $300 million in assets. KraneShares, meanwhile, is best known for its China-focused offerings. Its KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB), with $6.5 billion in AUM, has become a go-to vehicle for investors looking to gain exposure to Chinese tech giants. Humanoid robots have long been seen as a kind of sci-fi fantasy. But recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have brought the concept closer to reality. Proponents argue that humanoids could eventually take on complex tasks in many parts of the economy, including manufacturing, logistics and healthcare. For investors betting on the fusion of AI and robotics, these new ETFs offer two different ways to play the trend—one passive and index-based, the other actively | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wall Street Pitches Sci-Fi ETFs for Robots, UFOs, Quantum Bets
(Bloomberg) -- In a speculative corner of the ETF world, artificial intelligence is fast becoming yesterday's trade. Instead, the next disruptive bet on humanity's fate is moving into the realm of science fiction: Humanoid robots, UFOs and quantum computing. Bezos Wedding Draws Protests, Soul-Searching Over Tourism in Venice US Renters Face Storm of Rising Costs US State Budget Wounds Intensify From Trump, DOGE Policy Shifts Commuters Are Caught in Johannesburg's Taxi Feuds as Transit Lags Mapping the Architectural History of New York's Chinatown To a niche band of opportunistic fund managers, these aren't far-flung fantasies — they're frontier investments for risk-loving tech maximalists and beyond. Robots that help cook and clean. Quantum computers powerful enough to crack modern encryption. Secretive defense contractors building out technologies inspired by extraterrestrial life forms. Over the past few months, issuers including Roundhill Investments, KraneShares and Themes have designed products aiming to capture these out-of-this-world ideas — betting investors will buy the story before the science well and truly arrives. It's the kind of thematic-investing pitch popularized by Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management — which also touts the humanoid sector — in the pandemic: Bold claims, long timelines, uncertain payoffs. Only this time round, there are even fewer corporate-earning stories, industry benchmarks or valuation models to anchor the trade. Yet with the AI story now firmly embedded into mainstream portfolios, issuers are looking for first-mover advantages to market the next novel tech story. 'ETF issuers are always looking for the next frontier. Themes evolve quickly, AI was a hit, but the space is now crowded with products. The race is on to discover the next big idea,' said Athanasios Psarofagis, ETF analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. 'Some may sound far-fetched today, but we've said that before about themes that are now hits. What seems niche now could be a success tomorrow.' Among the most eye-catching is the humanoid sector, which Morgan Stanley sees ballooning into a $5 trillion market by 2050. In early June, KraneShares launched KOID — a fund targeting companies behind people-like robots. Roundhill, meanwhile, is preparing a competing humanoid ETF. Dave Mazza, the CEO of Roundhill, is behind that actively managed fund, which is set to launch on Thursday under the ticker HUMN with a focus solely on the companies designing and building humanoids. He sees the theme playing out as early as the next six months, as advances in AI and robotics converge. Elon Musk, for one, expects thousands of Optimus bots in Tesla Inc. factories by year-end. 'Humanoids aren't flying cars or quantum computing. In China, these robots are already in market and will be coming to market in the US in the near future.' said Mazza. 'This ETF offers investors dedicated access to a theme that's playing out today, not tomorrow.' Derek Yan, senior KraneShares investment strategist, says household-name companies like Tesla and Nvidia Corp. are already in the mix, and are planning to deploy billions of dollars into humanoid tech for use in hospitals, factories, elder care and more. Newer, often international players, like South Korea-based Rainbow Robotics and Japan-based Nidec Corp., as well as private entrants like China–based Unitree, are also joining the race. KOID tracks a rules-based index. Yan's team started its stock-picking search for the fund by sifting through a wider universe to filter down to companies in three main areas of interest: the 'brain'; the 'body,' which includes humanoid component suppliers; and the 'integrators,' or companies commercializing full humanoid robotics. The fund's largest holdings include Jabil Inc., Lynas Rare Earths Ltd., Amphenol Corp. and Melexis NV, though Nvidia and Tesla also round out the list. 'As Physical AI models continue to break through, we're approaching a 'GPT moment' for humanoids,' said Yan. 'It's the next big thing after generative AI.' Space Age Quantum computing is a functioning — albeit nascent — sector, with a Defiance product, QTUM, already pulling in more than $600 million in flows this year amid an 11% rally. But other strategies are anchored in pure conjecture. Matt Tuttle, for one, is angling to bring UFOD — a UFO-themed ETF powered by AI — to market, built on speculation that alien tech may be hiding in defense-contractor R&D labs. For ETF issuers, filing early isn't just a product decision; it's a first-mover narrative play. Some retail traders are responding. Thematic-ETF flows and assets under management have been picking up in recent weeks as investors look for exposure to new ideas and as portfolio diversifiers, according to Todd Sohn at Strategas. Critics argue that some of these investment areas are yet undeveloped and might not catch on with investors. Even many AI funds, of which there are more than 40, according to Bloomberg data, are having a difficult time attracting cash. 'At the end of the day, it strikes me as a very, very narrow niche to try to capitalize on,' Dave Nadig, an ETF industry veteran, said of the humanoid sector. But for early adopters of imagined realities, that's beside the point for now. In a saturated market, they offer something scarcer than market returns or fundamentals: a story to believe in. Issuers, moving at rapid-fire pace to ride newfangled ideas, have another incentive: standing out from the crowd. The $11 trillion ETF landscape remains ever-competitive in the US, now flooded with more than 4,200 products. At Lazard, a $235 billion asset manager, Sarj Nahal runs a megatrends ETF that trades under the ticker THMZ. He has identified a number of investment themes for the fund, including software apps and agents, data and AI, and future health, among others. The fund, up 20% since April, holds global names like Siemens AG and EssilorLuxottica SA. 'This is very much about the issues that are going to be on the table three to five years from now,' Nahal said in an interview. 'We don't want to be investing in what's on page one of the newspaper — what we're trying to spot is those issues and those structural drivers or data points that are coming from the companies that we're talking to that are currently on section C, page 32 but that are slowly moving their way to the front of the newspaper.' Cautionary Tale Still, the metaverse — a pandemic-era supertrend — offers a cautionary tale. It promised an immersive virtual future and drew in some of the world's biggest brands. Facebook even changed its name to Meta Platforms Inc. to stake its claim. But the hype unraveled just as fast. In 2023, at least two ETFs based on the metaverse ended up closing. Today, the term barely registers in earnings calls or investor decks. Other themes have also fizzled: marijuana and psychedelics ETFs failed to gain traction. 'Investing in unconventional technology themes can offer early exposure to disruptive trends — ideally, this would be similar to investing in the internet or digital assets in their early stages,' said Roxanna Islam, head of sector and industry research at ETF shop TMX VettaFi. 'But very few themes have that level of success and some never fully materialize.' Inside Gap's Last-Ditch, Tariff-Addled Turnaround Push How to Steal a House Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Apple Test-Drives Big-Screen Movie Strategy With F1 ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KraneShares Launches First Global Humanoid & Embodied Intelligence ETF (Ticker: KOID) On Nasdaq
NEW YORK, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Krane Funds Advisors, LLC ('KraneShares'), an asset management firm known for its global exchange-traded funds (ETFs), announced the launch of the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (Ticker: KOID). KOID represents the first US-listed thematic equity ETF that captures the global humanoid opportunity.1 Thanks to breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, advanced materials, and robotics manufacturing, commercial and retail applications of humanoid robotics and embodied intelligence are now a reality. Humanoid robots—including Tesla's Optimus, Figure AI, and Unitree—are already demonstrating impressive performance in human tasks, including in both factory and home settings. The Morgan Stanley Global Humanoid Model projects there could be 1 billion humanoids and $5 trillion in annual revenue by 2050.2 KOID seeks to capture the global humanoid and embodied intelligence ecosystem, which refers to AI systems integrated into physical machines that can sense, learn, and interact with the real world. Humanoid robotics, a key subset of embodied intelligence, focuses on robots with human-like forms and capabilities designed to work seamlessly in environments built for people, like factories, hospitals, and homes. The acceleration of bringing robots to the commercial and retail markets stems from the need to address urgent global challenges like labor shortages, aging populations, and greater efficiency and safety across industries. 'Soon, the cost of a humanoid robot could be less than a car3,' said KraneShares Senior Investment Strategist Derek Yan, CFA. 'We see compelling investment opportunities among the humanoid enablers and supply-chain partners that will bring humanoid robots into our daily lives at scale." Unlike legacy robotics‐focused ETFs, KOID focuses exclusively on humanoid robotics and embodied AI, positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of robotics innovation. KOID aims to capture the full spectrum of enabling technologies that form the foundation of humanoid development, including humanoid integration & manufacturing, mechanical systems, sensing & perception, actuation systems (the 'muscle' of the robot), semiconductors & technology, and critical materials. KOID offers global exposure to companies based primarily in the United States, China, and Japan within the information technology, industrial, and consumer discretionary sectors. 'We are excited to bring the Humanoid opportunity to global investors through KOID, the latest addition to our suite of innovative global thematic ETFs,' said KraneShares CEO Jonathan Krane. 'At KraneShares, our core goal is to launch strategies like KOID to capture emerging megatrends, giving our clients access to powerful growth opportunities as they accelerate.' The KOID ETF will track the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index, which is designed to capture the performance of companies engaged in humanoid and embodied intelligence-related business. For more information on the KraneShares Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF (Ticker: KOID), please visit or consult your financial advisor. About KraneShares KraneShares is a specialist investment manager focused on China, Climate, and Alternatives. KraneShares seeks to provide innovative, high-conviction, and first-to-market strategies based on the firm and its partners' deep investing knowledge. KraneShares identifies and delivers groundbreaking capital market opportunities and believes investors should have cost-effective and transparent tools for attaining exposure to various asset classes. The firm was founded in 2013 and serves institutions and financial professionals globally. The firm is a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI). Citations: Data from Bloomberg as of 5/27/2025. 'Humanoids: 1bn Robots and $5tn Revenues by 2050, China is in Pole Position' Morgan Stanley Research, 4/28/2025. 'Could AI Robots Help Fill the Labor Gap?' Morgan Stanley Research, 8/13/2024. Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds' full and summary prospectus, which may be obtained by visiting Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Risk Disclosures: Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its stated objectives. Indices are unmanaged and do not include the effect of fees. One cannot invest directly in an index. This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change. Certain content represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results; material is as of the dates noted and is subject to change without notice. Humanoid and embedded intelligence technology companies often face high research and capital costs, resulting in variable profitability in a competitive market where products can quickly become obsolete. Their reliance on intellectual property makes them vulnerable to losses, while legal and regulatory changes can impact profitability. Defining these companies can be complex, and some may risk commercial failure. They are also affected by global scientific developments, leading to rapid obsolescence, and may be subject to government regulations. Many companies in which the Fund invests may not currently be profitable, with no guarantee of future success. A-Shares are issued by companies in mainland China and traded on local exchanges. They are available to domestic and certain foreign investors, including QFIs and those participating in Stock Connect Programs like Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong. Foreign investments in A-Shares face various regulations and restrictions, including limits on asset repatriation. A-Shares may experience frequent trading halts and illiquidity, which can lead to volatility in the Fund's share price and increased trading halt risks. The Chinese economy is an emerging market, vulnerable to domestic and regional economic and political changes, often showing more volatility than developed markets. Companies face risks from potential government interventions, and the export-driven economy is sensitive to downturns in key trading partners, impacting the Fund. U.S.-China tensions raise concerns over tariffs and trade restrictions, which could harm China's exports and the Fund. China's regulatory standards are less stringent than in the U.S., resulting in limited information about issuers. Tax laws are unclear and subject to change, potentially impacting the Fund and leading to unexpected liabilities for foreign investors. Fluctuations in currency of foreign countries may have an adverse effect to domestic currency values. The Japanese economy depends heavily on international trade and is vulnerable to economic, political, and social instability, which could affect the Fund. The yen is volatile, influenced by fluctuations in Asia, and has historically shown unpredictable movements against the U.S. dollar. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tidal waves, also pose risks. Furthermore, government intervention and an unstable financial services sector can negatively impact the economy, which relies significantly on trade with developing nations in East and Southeast Asia. The Fund invests in non-U.S. securities, which can be less liquid and subject to weaker regulatory oversight compared to U.S. securities. Risks include currency fluctuations, political or economic instability, incomplete financial disclosure, and potential taxes or nationalization of holdings. Foreign trading hours and settlement processes may also limit the Fund's ability to trade, and different accounting standards can add complexity. Suspensions of foreign securities may adversely impact the Fund, and delays in settlement or holidays may hinder asset liquidation, increasing the risk of loss. The Fund may invest in derivatives, which are often more volatile than other investments and may magnify the Fund's gains or losses. A derivative (i.e., futures/forward contracts, swaps, and options) is a contract that derives its value from the performance of an underlying asset. The primary risk of derivatives is that changes in the asset's market value and the derivative may not be proportionate, and some derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses. Derivatives are also subject to liquidity and counterparty risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk, meaning that certain investments may become difficult to purchase or sell at a reasonable time and price. If a transaction for these securities is large, it may not be possible to initiate, which may cause the Fund to suffer losses. Counterparty risk is the risk of loss in the event that the counterparty to an agreement fails to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the derivative. Large capitalization companies may struggle to adapt fast, impacting their growth compared to smaller firms, especially in expansive times. This could result in lower stock returns than investing in smaller and mid-sized companies. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. A large number of shares of the Fund is held by a single shareholder or a small group of shareholders. Redemptions from these shareholder can harm Fund performance, especially in declining markets, leading to forced sales at disadvantageous prices, increased costs, and adverse tax effects for remaining shareholders. The Fund is new and does not yet have a significant number of shares outstanding. If the Fund does not grow in size, it will be at greater risk than larger funds of wider bid-ask spreads for its shares, trading at a greater premium or discount to NAV, liquidation and/or a trading halt. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. The Fund's assets are expected to be concentrated in a sector, industry, market, or group of concentrations to the extent that the Underlying Index has such concentrations. The securities or futures in that concentration could react similarly to market developments. Thus, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences that affect that concentration. KOID is non-diversified. Neither MerQube, Inc. nor any of its affiliates (collectively, 'MerQube') is the issuer or producer of KOID and MerQube has no duties, responsibilities, or obligations to investors in KOID. The index underlying the KOID is a product of MerQube and has been licensed for use by Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates. Such index is calculated using, among other things, market data or other information ('Input Data') from one or more sources (each such source, a 'Data Provider'). MerQube® is a registered trademark of MerQube, Inc. These trademarks have been licensed for certain purposes by Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates in its capacity as the issuer of the KOID. KOID is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MerQube, any Data Provider, or any other third party, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in KOID particularly, nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the Input Data, MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index, or any associated data. Neither MerQube nor the Data Providers make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the shares of KOID or to any member of the public, of any kind, including regarding the ability of the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index to track market performance or any asset class. The MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index is determined, composed and calculated by MerQube without regard to Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates or the KOID. MerQube and Data Providers have no obligation to take the needs of Krane Funds Advisors, LLC and its affiliates or the owners of KOID into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index. Neither MerQube nor any Data Provider is responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices or amount of KOID or the timing of the issuance or sale of KOID or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which KOID is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be. MerQube and Data Providers have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of KOID. There is no assurance that investment products based on the MerQube Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. MerQube is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by MerQube to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice. NEITHER MERQUBE NOR ANY OTHER DATA PROVIDER GUARANTEES THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE MERQUBE GLOBAL HUMANOID AND EMBODIED INTELLIGENCE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO (INCLUDING DATA INPUTS) OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO. NEITHER MERQUBE NOR ANY OTHER DATA PROVIDERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. MERQUBE AND ITS DATA PROVIDERS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND THEY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY KRANE FUNDS ADVISORS, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES, OWNERS OF THE KOID, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE MERQUBE GLOBAL HUMANOID AND EMBODIED INTELLIGENCE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL MERQUBE OR DATA PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE FOREGOING REFERENCES TO 'MERQUBE' AND/OR 'DATA PROVIDER' SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO INCLUDE ANY AND ALL SERVICE PROVIDERS, CONTRACTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE REFERENCED PARTY. ETF shares are bought and sold on an exchange at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. However, shares may be redeemed at NAV directly by certain authorized broker-dealers (Authorized Participants) in very large creation/redemption units. The returns shown do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times. Shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV in the secondary market. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Beginning 12/23/2020, market price returns are based on the official closing price of an ETF share or, if the official closing price isn't available, the midpoint between the national best bid and national best offer ("NBBO") as of the time the ETF calculates the current NAV per share. Prior to that date, market price returns were based on the midpoint between the Bid and Ask price. NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The KraneShares ETFs and KFA Funds ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Company (SIDCO), 1 Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456, which is not affiliated with Krane Funds Advisors, LLC, the Investment Adviser for the Funds, or any sub-advisers for the in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
