BetaShares has announced the release of three thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based around growing megatrends in the electric vehicle, electronic payments and video game sectors.
The BetaShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF (DRIV) will offer access to a portfolio of global companies creating innovation in the automotive sector, with companies expected in the index including Tesla, Uber and Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO.
The BetaShares Future of Payments ETF (IPAY) will have exposure to a portfolio of digital and mobile payment providers, with expected index constituents including PayPal, Square, Affirm and Visa.
The DRIV and IPAY ETFs will commence trading on the Australian Securities Exchange in December 2021, while the BetaShares Video Games and E-sports ETF (GAME) will start trading in the new year.
The GAME ETF will offer access to leading video gaming and e-sports companies and will include Roblox, Nintendo and Activision Blizzard as companies within the relevant index.
BetaShares chief executive Alex Vynokur said the new ETFs provide investors with access to new megatrends that are anticipated to have decades of growth.
“Next generation technologies for electric vehicles, digital payments and video games are exciting opportunities that each in their own way have the potential to revolutionise the global economy,” Vynokur said.
“We’re excited to further expand our leading thematic ETF range and have plans to further broaden the universe of opportunities available for Australian investors.”
The three new funds will join six other thematic funds currently offered by BetaShares that focus on cybersecurity, cloud computing, climate change, robotics and artificial intelligence, and technology leaders in Australia and Asia.
According to BetaShares, at the end of October, there were 19 thematic ETFs in Australia holding $3.8 billion in funds under management, having grown at around 65 per cent since the end of 2020.
