Specialist exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider Betashares is launching an offering giving investors access to global companies involved in the space economy, a market estimated to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035.
The new ETF is set to take initial trades on 12 May and will operate under the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) ticker RCKT.
“We are excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Betashares Space Industry ETF, RCKT, an ASX first that offers exposure to companies driving the rapidly evolving global space industry,” Betashares chief executive Alex Vynokur said.
RCKT will invest in 30 global companies across satellite communications, connectivity and data services, rocket launch capabilities, and space infrastructure and manufacturing.
According to the manager, the underlying holdings would likely include companies such as Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, EchoStar, Planet Labs and Firefly Aerospace.
The ETF is also designed to enable fast entry of major initial public offerings (IPO) like that of SpaceX, which is expected to list later this year.
“Once led primarily by government agencies, the space industry is increasingly being shaped by commercial companies launching rockets, building satellite networks and delivering critical data from orbit,” Vynokur explained.
“As falling launch costs expand what is commercially possible and anticipated IPOs such as SpaceX move closer, RCKT is designed to capture the opportunity set emerging across the global space industry.”
In another development, Betashares has also just added another fixed-income product, the 2031 Fixed Term Corporate Bond Active ETF (ASX:31BB), to its defined-income suite. The offering will provide investors exposure to a portfolio of Australian dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate bonds that mature in the 12 months leading up to May 2031. It follows the launches of defined-income ETFs maturing in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
The range of defined-income ETFs is designed to deliver monthly income in addition to a return of capital at maturity.
“Betashares has been at the forefront of efforts to expand access to innovative fixed-income investment solutions to meet the needs of Australian investors,” Vynokur confirmed.
“With the extension of our defined-income range, we are continuing to provide investors with a simple way to access a diversified portfolio of corporate bonds, offering predictable income together with the liquidity, transparency and diversification benefits of an ETF.”
