BetaShares launches RBTZ – providing investors with access to the global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Mega-trend

From

Alex Vynokur

BetaShares, a leading Australian ETF manager, has announced the launch of the BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX Code: RBTZ) on the ASX.

RBTZ provides access to the disruptive Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (“A.I.”) sectors through exposure to a portfolio of global companies involved in production or use of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence products and services – including industrial robots, autonomous vehicles and applications of large-scale machine learning.

A mega-trend predicted to last

The Robotics and A.I. sectors are on rapid growth trajectories, with revenue from sales of industrial and non-industrial robots forecast to grow over 30% p.a. to reach US$500 billion, and revenue from A.I. software forecast to grow ~55% p.a. to reach US$37 billion by 2025[1].

“As we’re already seeing, Robotics and A.I. products are beginning to disrupt multiple industries.” says BetaShares CEO, Alex Vynokur.

“Ageing populations, rising labour costs, and an opportunity for performance improvements are all significant economic incentives promoting further development of the area, explaining significant growth in the adoption of robotics and artificial intelligence solutions across a number of industries.”

Recent statistics exemplify not only the existing significance of Robotics & A.I. technologies, but also the potential for substantial future growth. For example, industrial robots have already automated 10-15% of manufacturing functions, however expectations are for this to increase to 25% by 2025[2].

Exposure to global leaders

RBTZ aims to track the Indxx Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index.

At the time of writing, some of largest holdings of RBTZ include innovative companies such as:

  • Fanuc – A leading global manufacturer of industrial robots with more than 22.5 million products installed worldwide;
  • Intuitive Surgical – the producers of the da Vinci surgical system, which is one of the first robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgical systems cleared by the FDA, and today is used by surgeons in all 50 U.S. States and in 66 countries around the world.

In the three years to August 2018, the Index has generated annual returns of 35%[3].

Now, more than ever, Australian investors are looking outside our home market for growth opportunities, with technology an area of focus as investors position their portfolios for a different future.

“In a single trade on the ASX, RBTZ delivers access to dozens of companies with high exposure to the transformational robotics and AI theme, that has very little stock representation in Australia. ” said Mr Vynokur.

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[1] Source: Tractica Research. Projections are for period 2017 to 2025. Projections may differ from actual outcomes.
[2] Source: The Boston Consulting Group. Projections are for period 2015 to 2025. Projections may differ from actual outcomes.
[3] Source: Bloomberg. Past performance is not indicative of future performance of the Index or RBTZ. Does not take into account RBTZ’s fees and costs. Investment involves risk and the value of units may go down as well as up.

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