Samsung Active Asset Management Exports Active Management Strategy to U.S. ETF Market for the First Time

Samsung Active Asset Management announced on May 21 that it has exported an active ETF management strategy focused on natural gas infrastructure to the U.S. capital market, the home of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), marking the first U.S.-listed thematic active ETF to concentrate on this sector.

This move follows the successful listing of two bond-type ETFs in the U.S. by its parent company, Samsung Asset Management, in 2023 and last year. Now, Samsung Active Asset Management has introduced its first equity-based product to the U.S. market.

Samsung Asset Management’s strategic partner, U.S. ETF manager Amplify, listed the "Amplify U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF" (USNG) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on May 20 (U.S. local time). Samsung Asset Management’s New York subsidiary is responsible for local management, while Samsung Active Asset Management provides portfolio advisory and research services.

USNG is a localized version of the KoAct U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure Active ETF, which Samsung Active Asset Management listed in the Korean market in December last year. The ETF invests across the entire value chain of the U.S. natural gas industry. It can allocate up to 25% of its portfolio to Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) that own natural gas pipelines and energy storage facilities, aiming to secure stable dividend income.

USNG differentiates itself from existing energy infrastructure ETFs listed in the U.S. by being the first ETF to invest across the full natural gas infrastructure value chain. Currently, there are about 15 energy infrastructure-related ETFs listed in the U.S. market, but none specialize in natural gas. As electricity demand surges due to the expansion of data centers and AI, the U.S. natural gas industry is expected to experience structural growth, supported by the enhanced export competitiveness of U.S. LNG. The ongoing regulatory easing under the Donald Trump administration is also expected to accelerate the expansion of natural gas infrastructure.

Samsung Asset Management, in partnership with Amplify, previously exported its KODEX management strategy to the U.S. market by listing the U.S. parking-type (SOFR) ETF in 2023 and the U.S. long-term bond (TLTP) ETF last year. This time, the company expanded its collaboration through its subsidiary to export active equity management expertise to the U.S. ETF market.

Kim Jiwoon, Head of KoAct ETF Management Division, stated, "By quickly recognizing the importance of natural gas in the U.S., launching the first local natural gas-themed ETF is a meaningful achievement. Given the expected stable growth of the U.S. natural gas industry, investment in the 'KoAct U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure Active' ETF is worth considering for retirement pension portfolios."

Yoo Jinhwan, Executive Director of Global Product Strategy at Samsung Asset Management, explained, "Amid the evolving U.S. energy strategy and expanding infrastructure investment, we identified new investment opportunities through our New York subsidiary and realized them as products in the U.S. market." He added, "We will continue to ensure that Samsung Kodex and KoAct are recognized as icons of innovation for investors, leveraging differentiated ideas and our global ETF business capabilities."

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