"All Roads Lead to AI"... Semiconductors and Infrastructure Dominate Top ETF Returns

Semiconductor and Power Infrastructure ETFs Yield Over 20%
"Benefiting from Expanding AI Demand"
Gold Price Rise Continues, Gold ETF Returns Also 'Cheerful'

Semiconductor-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recently shown excellent returns. In particular, the artificial intelligence (AI) boom is benefiting not only semiconductor equipment but also related infrastructure ETFs.

According to the Korea Exchange on the 9th, the top-performing ETF in terms of returns from the 5th of last month to the 5th of this month was Shinhan Asset Management's 'SOL Semiconductor Post-Process,' recording 26.18%. The 'SOL Semiconductor Post-Process ETF' mainly holds key companies in semiconductor post-processing (packaging) such as Hanmi Semiconductor, Lino Industrial, EO Technics, and Hana Micron. Hanmi Semiconductor has the largest weighting at 24.27%, followed by Lino Industrial (16.92%) and EO Technics (13.73%).

The second highest return was Samsung Asset Management's 'KODEX AI Semiconductor Core Equipment,' which recorded 21.06%. This product consists of stocks related to HBM (High Bandwidth Memory). Similar to the SOL Semiconductor Post-Process ETF, it includes Hanmi Semiconductor (24.94%), Lino Industrial (16.84%), and Isu Petasys (12.43%).

Lee Ui-jin, a researcher at Heungkuk Securities, said, "The memory market rebound came last year through AI and production cuts," adding, "This year, the increase in HBM demand due to AI will be remarkable."

The third highest return was 'KODEX K-New Renewable Energy Active,' recording 20.97%. This product mainly holds stocks related to renewable and eco-friendly energy such as solar power, wind power, and hydrogen. The high return of the KODEX K-New Renewable Energy Active ETF is also closely related to semiconductors. AI is increasing power demand. As a result, the stock prices of companies included in this ETF, such as HD Hyundai Electric, Hyosung Heavy Industries, LS ELECTRIC, Iljin Electric, and Jeryong Electric, have surged this year.

Seong Jong-hwa, a researcher at Ebest Investment & Securities, explained, "Hyosung Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Electric have a high proportion of high-voltage products that have entered a super-boom cycle, so they are hardly affected by economic downturns," adding, "With growth in electric vehicles, generative AI, and renewable energy, demand for electricity and electrical equipment will continue to expand."

Along with this, as the recent rise in gold prices continues, NH-Amundi Asset Management's HANARO Global Gold Mining Companies ETF also recorded a return of 18.21%. This ETF diversifies investments across 51 global gold mining stocks in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America. According to the Korea Exchange, on the 2nd, the price of gold per gram in the KRX gold market exceeded 100,000 won for the first time, continuing its upward trend day by day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.