As stocks of AI (artificial intelligence) and semiconductor companies resume their rebound despite arguments for a speed adjustment, the launch of related products continues in the ETF (exchange-traded fund) market. With AI and semiconductor sectors driving the direction of the stock market, thematic products that concentrate investments on key stocks are gaining attention.
According to the financial investment industry on the 19th, four ETFs were listed on the Korea Exchange this week: KODEX US AI Memory TOP2 Plus, HANARO US Agentic AI TOP2+, PLUS AIBan Do-che-so (Director)Active, and PLUS Korea HBM Semiconductor.
KODEX US AI Memory TOP2 Plus is an ETF that invests in data storage device companies that are structurally growing due to the expansion of the AI industry, allocating approximately 50% to Micron and SanDisk, and about 30% to Seagate and Western Digital. The HANARO US Agentic AI TOP2+ ETF is a product that invests in 10 stocks related to agentic AI listed on the U.S. stock market and the technology ecosystems supporting them. Agentic AI refers to AI that sets goals and formulates plans without individual instructions from users, performing tasks autonomously.
The 'PLUS Korea HBM Semiconductor' ETF is an ETF that invests approximately 50% in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two leading Korean memory companies accounting for a combined 80% of the global HBM (high-bandwidth memory) market share, and the remaining 50% in eight key semiconductor materials, components, and equipment (소부장) companies. The 'PLUS AIBan Do-che-so (Director)Active' ETF is an active ETF that selects key materials, components, and equipment companies and actively adjusts stock weights. It invests by identifying undervalued semiconductor materials, components, and equipment companies in the market based on changes in order backlogs, sales, estimated operating profits, and valuation relative to growth rates.
Despite arguments for a speed adjustment in AI, interest in investing in AI and semiconductors continues. In particular, as the number of AI and semiconductor-related ETFs increases, investment themes such as U.S. memory companies, agentic AI companies, and HBM companies are becoming more detailed and diverse. Previously, ETFs investing in NAND memory, CPU semiconductors, and AI data centers have been listed. Additionally, ACE US CPU Semiconductor TOP3, IBKHan Mi (CEO)Corporate TOP2+ Bond Mix Active, and KODEX US AI Agent Active are also preparing for listing.
The continued launch of ETFs investing in AI and Ban Do-che (CEO) companies signifies that expectations for growth in these fields remain strong. Hwang Soo-wook, a researcher at Meritz Securities, stated, "The proposal to adjust the pace of AI development is interpreted as an attempt by AI frontiers to prepare moves to sustain competition." He added, "If we consider the virtuous cycle of AI infrastructure investment based on AI monetization, there is no need to interpret the speed adjustment issue pessimistically regarding AI infrastructure stocks."
However, as competition among asset management companies intensifies, concerns are emerging that similar ETFs are appearing one after another and that even different thematic ETFs may overlap or concentrate on the same stocks. For example, among recently listed products, PLUS Korea HBM Semiconductor, RISE Global AI NAND Memory Semiconductor, KIWOOM SamsungSK Group TOP4+, and ACE Semiconductor Plus Strategic Industry all have themes that differ but hold approximately 50% in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
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