BetaShares launches ETFs to track the global healthcare and global agriculture sectors

Alex Vynokur

BetaShares, a leading Australian ETF manager, has announced the launch of the BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: DRUG) and the BetaShares Global Agriculture Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FOOD).

Both DRUG and FOOD are hedged into Australian dollars with the aim of eliminating the impact of currency fluctuations on portfolio performance, making the two ETFs unique in the Australian market.

DRUG: Access to the high-growth global healthcare sector

DRUG aims to track the performance of an index comprising of 60 of the largest global (ex-Australia) healthcare companies.

“Spending on healthcare has increased strongly across the globe in recent decades, driven by rising living standards, population ageing and improvements in innovation and technology,” said Alex Vynokur, Managing Director of BetaShares.

“Through DRUG, investors can tap into the growth potential of this sector and obtain diversified exposure across the dynamic global healthcare industry.”

FOOD: Diversified exposure to the world’s largest agriculture companies

FOOD aims to track the performance of the largest global agricultural firms outside of Australia.

“As the world grows in size, today’s existing large agricultural firms appear well placed to benefit from the growing global demand for food,” Mr Vynokur said.

“Through FOOD, investors can use a single investment to gain diversified exposure to global agricultural power houses. By investing in the company, and not the commodity, investors also have the potential to generate positive returns even when food prices remain stable”, Mr Vynokur added.

These two products are part of the ‘Global Sector Series’ from BetaShares – a suite of ETFs designed to provide Australian investors with convenient and cost effective access to leading companies in some of the world’s most important industry sectors.

Three ETFs from this series have already been launched, the BetaShares Global Energy Companies ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: FUEL), the BetaShares Global Gold Miners ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: MNRS) and the BetaShares Global Banks ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: BNKS).

“The 5 ETFs that form part of the BetaShares Global Sector ETF family can enable Australian investors to further evolve their existing portfolios by obtaining access to globally significant industry sectors in a convenient and cost effective way. These funds now comprise, what we believe to be, the most comprehensive range of global sector funds available on the ASX”, Mr. Vynokur concluded.