As artificial intelligence technology rapidly transforms industrial structures, AI-focused investment strategies have emerged as a key theme in global equity markets. The investment landscape has evolved beyond simple thematic investing to a stage where capturing the entire AI value chain determines performance.
Amid this trend, Korea Investment Management recently launched the ACE US AI Tech Core Industry Active exchange-traded fund, presenting its AI investment roadmap. The actively managed ETF invests across the AI ecosystem, focusing on four core sectors: computing infrastructure, energy infrastructure, AI hardware, and AI software. The fund is designed to flexibly adjust sector weightings, reflecting that leading industries shift at each stage of AI development.
Market response has been swift. According to Korea Exchange data on January 29, the ETF recorded 28 billion won in net retail purchases on its launch day and surpassed 100 billion won in cumulative retail net buying within 14 days of listing. The strong inflows were attributed to investor interest in a portfolio spanning the broader AI industry.
The benefits of AI industry growth have extended beyond pure-play AI companies to big tech overall. Since rebranding its ACE ETF lineup, Korea Investment Management has strengthened its US technology-focused product offerings, with the ACE US Big Tech TOP7 Plus ETF as a flagship product. The fund concentrates on seven major US technology stocks including Google, Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft, capturing growth in AI, cloud computing, data centers, and platform businesses.
The product has recorded steady inflows since its September 2023 listing, with retail net purchases of 180.7 billion won year-to-date. Returns stand at 30.70% over six months, 17.99% over one year, and 129.25% since inception.
AI infrastructure investment centered on semiconductors has also drawn attention. The ACE Global Semiconductor TOP4 Plus ETF focuses on core segments of the global semiconductor industry including memory, logic, foundry, and equipment. The fund targets structural demand growth driven by the expansion of AI, data centers, and automotive electronics. The ETF has grown to 722 billion won in net assets, with returns of 52.16% over six months, 73.83% over one year, and 368.86% since inception, pushing the share price above 40,000 won.
"AI, big tech, and semiconductors are not short-term fads but megatrends fundamentally reshaping industrial structures," said Nam Yong-soo, head of ETF management at Korea Investment Management. "As benefits are expected to extend from AI infrastructure to applications, the influence of related industries will grow as the pace of change accelerates."
