ETFdb Logo
  • ETF Database
  • Channels
    • Themes
      • Active ETF
      • Alternatives Channel
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • China Insights
      • Climate Insights
      • Core Strategies
      • Crypto
      • Disruptive Technology
      • Energy Infrastructure
      • ETF Building Blocks
      • ETF Education
      • ETF Investing
      • ETF Strategist
      • Faith-Based Investing
      • Financial Literacy
      • Fixed Income
      • Free Cash Flow
      • Innovative ETFs
      • Invest Beyond Cash
      • Leveraged & Inverse
      • Modern Alpha
      • Portfolio Strategies
      • Tax Efficient Income
    • Asset Class
      • Equity
        • U.S. Equity
        • Int'l Developed
        • Emerging Market Equities
      • Alternatives
        • Gold/Silver/Critical Materials
        • Crypytocurrency
        • Currency
        • Volatility
      • Fixed Income
        • Investment Grade Corporates
        • US Treasuries & TIPS
        • High Yield Corporates
        • Int'l Fixed Income
    • ETF Ecosystem
    • ETFs in Canada
    • Market Outlook
    • Crypto ETF Hub
  • Tools
    • ETF Screener
    • ETF Country Exposure Tool
    • ETF Database Categories
    • Indexes
    • Scenario Analysis
    • Watchlists
    • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison Tool
    • Mutual Fund To ETF Converter
    • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
    • ETF Issuer Fund Flows
  • Research
    • ETF Education
    • Equity Investing
    • Dividend ETFs
    • Leveraged ETFs
    • Inverse ETFs
    • Index Education
    • Index Insights
    • Top ETF Sectors
    • Top ETF Issuers
    • Top ETF Industries
  • Webcasts
  • Themes
    • AI ETFs
    • Blockchain ETFs
    • See all Thematic Investing ETF themes
    • ESG Investing
    • Marijuana ETFs
  • Multimedia
    • ETF 360 Video Series
    • ETF of the Week Podcast
    • Gaining Perspective Podcast
    • ETF Prime Podcast
    • Video
  • Company
    • About VettaFi
    • Get VettaFi’ed
  • PRO
    • Pro Content
    • Pro Tools
    • Advanced
    • FAQ
    • Pricing
    • Free Sign Up
    • Login
  1. Thematic Index Lineup Joins VettaFi
News
Share

Thematic Index Lineup Joins VettaFi

Todd RosenbluthApr 10, 2023
2023-04-10

A decade ago, when the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (ROBO B-) launched, the U.S. thematic ETF market was nascent, with only a handful of products and minimal assets. However, at the end of 2021, there was approximately $130 billion in assets invested, per Global X. While the base shrunk to $75 billion at the end of 2022, due largely to poor performance amid rising interest rates, product development continued. There were 270 thematic ETFs listed in the U.S. to start 2023, including two more from ROBO Global Indexes: the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF (HTEC B) and the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (THNQ C+).  

Last week, ROBO Global Indexes became part of the VettaFi family, and we could not be happier about the opportunities to further educate advisors about thematic indexing.    

“We are thrilled to add the ROBO Global suite to VettaFi’s existing family of thematic indexes, as indexing is one of the most vibrant corners of the investment management industry,” said Leland Clemons, CEO of VettaFi. “Our clients and our prospective clients will be very excited about the range of indexing ideas and approaches we can now bring to bear on their behalf, in tandem with all of the data, analytics, and digital distribution offerings that make up the full range of VettaFi solutions.”  

With the acquisition of this suite, VettaFi’s full range of index solutions now underpins more than $17 billion in ETFs and other investment vehicles. Other ETFs partnering with indexes run by VettaFi include the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP A-), the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG B-), the First Trust S-Network Future Vehicles & Technology ETF (CARZ B), and the Invesco Alerian Galaxy Crypto Economy ETF (SATO ).  

At $1.3 billion in assets, U.S.-listed ROBO is the largest of the three ETFs tracking a ROBO Global Index. The thematic ETF provides global exposure to the value chain of robotics, automation, and AI companies, across developed and emerging markets. The research-driven approach focuses on 11 subsectors tied to robotics and automation, including autonomous systems, food and agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. Its top 10 holdings include Cognex (CGNX), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), ServiceNow (NOW), and Zebra Technologies (ZBRA). Just over half of the ETF assets are invested outside of the U.S. and are largely split between Asia Pacific and European markets.   

While ROBO was the first of its kind, there are other robotics-focused ETFs on the market, including the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ C+) and the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT B+).

HTEC has $100 million in assets invested in companies leading the healthcare technology revolution across nine impacted subsectors, including diagnostics, genomics, lab process automation, medical instruments, precision and regenerative medicine, and telehealth. Top holdings include Insulet (PODD), Intuitive Surgical, Stryker (SYK), and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMP). More than 80% of HTEC assets were recently invested in the U.S. and Canada, with most of the remainder coming from Europe.  

Other thematic healthcare technology ETFs include the ARK Genomic Revolution ETF (ARKG A-) and the iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF (IDNA B+).

Meanwhile, THNQ is the newest of the ROBO Global index-based ETFs, having launched in May 2020, and has $25 million in assets. The fund invests in companies actively developing and leveraging tools and artificial intelligence powered engines to capitalize on new market opportunities to accelerate their revenue growth. The companies are in one of 10 related subsectors, including business process, e-commerce, network and security, and semiconductors.  

THNQ’s top holdings include mega-caps Amazon.com (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT), but the fund’s median market cap was recently $33 billion due to the more moderately sized Fair Issac (FICO) and Splunk (SPLK). The fund has 75% of assets invested in the U.S. and Canada, with the remainder largely split between Asia Pacific and Europe. 

ROBO Chart April 10

Content continues below advertisement

Engagement with artificial intelligence-related ETFs on VettaFi’s platforms was strong in the first quarter of 2023, with the ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW C+) and the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ B-) among the rising stars.   

We’re still in the early stages of innovation for companies in the robotics and automation, healthcare technology, and artificial intelligence industries. VettaFi believes that as more advisors and end clients understand the drivers of these trends and the benefits of including exposure to such index-based strategies in a diversified portfolio, adoption will increase further.  

For more news, information, and analysis, visit VettaFi | ETFDB.

VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for AMLP, CARZ, HTEC, ROBO, SATO, SDOG, and THNQ, for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, AMLP, CARZ, HTEC, ROBO, SATO, SDOG, and THNQ are not issued, sponsored, endorsed or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing or trading of AMLP, CARZ, HTEC, ROBO, SATO, SDOG, and THNQ.

» Popular Pages

  • Tickers
  • Articles

Jun 20

International Stocks Outperforming the U.S. – Can It Last?

Jun 20

Solana ETFs: Summer of SOL

Jun 18

WGMI a Second Quarter Top Performer

Jun 18

T. Rowe ETFs: Active Benefits at Competitive Prices

Jun 18

As Active Bond ETF Demand Picks Up, Here Are 2 Options

Jun 18

ETF of the Week: Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO)

Jun 18

Industrial Demand Creating Momentum for Silver

Jun 18

The Case for Going Global Now

Jun 18

The Robot Will See You Now & AI Will Read Your Results

Jun 18

AI Growth Could Energize This Leveraged ETF

QQQ

Invesco QQQ Trust Series I

VOO

Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

IBIT

iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF

IVV

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

SCHD

Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF...

SPY

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

GLD

SPDR Gold Shares

SHLD

Global X Defense Tech ETF

USO

United States Oil Fund LP

SMH

VanEck Semiconductor ETF


Content continues below advertisement

Loading Articles...
Our Sites
  • VettaFi
  • Advisor Perspectives
  • ETF Trends
Tools
  • ETF Screener
  • Mutual Fund to ETF Converter
  • Head-To-Head ETF Comparison
  • ETF Country Exposure Tool
  • ETF Stock Exposure Tool
  • ETF Database Pro
More Tools
  • Financial Advisor & RIA Center
Explore ETFs
  • ETF News
  • ETF Category Reports
  • Premium Articles
  • Alphabetical Listing of ETFs
  • Browse ETFs by ETF Database Category
  • Browse ETFs by Index
  • Browse ETFs by Issuer
  • Compare ETFs
Information
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
  • © 2025 VettaFi LLC. All rights reserved.

Advertisement

Is Your Portfolio Positioned With Enough Global Exposure?

ETF Education Channel

How to Allocate Commodities in Portfolios

Tom LydonApr 26, 2022
2022-04-26

A long-running debate in asset allocation circles is how much of a portfolio an investor should...

Core Strategies Channel

Why ETFs Experience Limit Up/Down Protections

Karrie GordonMay 13, 2022
2022-05-13

In a digital age where information moves in milliseconds and millions of participants can transact...

}
X