Woori Asset Management's Semiconductor Value Chain Active ETF Surpasses 300 Billion Won in Net Assets

Woori Asset Management announced on May 21 that its 'WON Semiconductor Value Chain Active' Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) has recorded the highest return in its category, demonstrating outstanding defensive capabilities even amid recent sharp market volatility.

According to the fund evaluation firm KG Zeroin, as of May 18, the one-year return of the WON Semiconductor Value Chain Active ETF reached 387.43%. This is the highest performance among all semiconductor active and value chain ETFs listed in Korea. Its short- and mid-term results are also exceptional. The fund posted a 130.26% return since the beginning of the year, and maintained high returns over the past three months (71.63%) and six months (150.66%).

Notably, the fund has proven its strong defensive strength amid heightened global uncertainty. Even during the period when the domestic stock market was hit by the Middle East war (March 2 to April 14), the WON Semiconductor Value Chain Active ETF delivered a 7% return. During that same period, the KOSPI fell to 5,052.46 (as of the March 31 closing price), recovered partially, but ultimately declined by 4.42%, highlighting the ETF’s resilience. Thanks to this robust performance, 230 billion won of new capital flowed in during this period alone, allowing its net assets to surpass the 300 billion won mark.

The key to these outstanding returns lies in an active management strategy that combines a firm focus on leading stocks with early identification of trendsetting materials, components, and equipment (MC&E) companies. The WON Semiconductor Value Chain Active ETF maintains a 52.7% allocation to Korea’s two semiconductor giants, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, making it the most heavily weighted in leaders among domestic semiconductor active and value chain ETFs. Including SK Square, the top three stocks account for as much as 58% of the portfolio, ensuring clear market leadership. At the same time, the fund achieved excess returns by proactively adding MC&E and flip-chip ball grid array (FC-BGA) companies such as CMTX, EO Technics, Leeno Industrial, PSK, PSK Holdings, and TSE to its portfolio.

Woori Asset Management maintains a positive mid- to long-term outlook on the memory segment of the semiconductor market, expecting sustained demand. For the non-memory segment, the company anticipates a trickle-down effect for Samsung Electronics’ foundry and Intel, given TSMC’s continued conservative investment approach.

Ho Seok Lee, Team Leader of the Equity Investment Team 2 at Woori Asset Management, stated, “As new technology keywords such as multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) for artificial intelligence (AI) and high value-added substrates gain attention in the market, we are proactively realizing some profits and rapidly diversifying our portfolio. Since this semiconductor cycle is driven by AI investment, the market’s preference for tech hardware is expected to continue.”

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