San Antonio, TX, Dec. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (Nasdaq: GROW) (“the Company”), a registered investment advisory firm[1] known for its thematic ETFs, is excited to announce the launch of its first actively managed exchange-traded fund, the U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE: WAR) [this will link to the WAR fund page], which begins trading today on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The launch builds on the Company’s success with its billion-dollar U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE: JETS) and emphasizes its ability to create resilient, dynamic products.
The WAR ETF is designed to address the increasing global demand for defense and protection through technological advancements. Focusing on sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, cybersecurity, aerospace and electronic warfare, WAR offers diversified exposure to the industries that help prevent and protect from the threat of war.
Like the Company’s other ETFs, WAR applies a smart beta 2.0 investment strategy, combining quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify opportunities for long-term outperformance while managing risk.[2]
“The WAR ETF is more than just an investment in defense,” says Frank Holmes, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of U.S. Global Investors. “From the ‘war on drugs’ to the iconic movie Star Wars, history has shown us the importance of defense against the forces that threaten peace. With advances in robotics, drones, satellites, AI and cybersecurity, the ETF aims to capture opportunities in these critical sectors that are transforming how we think about defense and security in the modern world.”
A Smart Beta 2.0 Approach to Investing in the Future of Global Security and Advanced Technologies
Global military expenditures reached a record $2.4 trillion in 2023 after increasing for nine consecutive years,[3] driven by rising geopolitical tensions and modernization efforts across the globe. That’s especially true in Europe, where European Union (EU) member states are estimated to spend a collective €326 billion ($342 billion) this year on aerospace and defense, representing a record-breaking 1.9% of the bloc’s gross domestic product (GDP).[4]
Additionally, the global semiconductor market is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, fueled by growth in defense applications, AI integration and automotive technologies.[5] The value of the global AI market alone is estimated to hit approximately $826 billion by 2030, according to calculations made by Statista.[6]
Complementing Our Suite of Thematic ETFs
WAR joins the Company’s growing lineup of thematic ETFs, including:
- U.S. Global Jets ETF (NYSE: JETS), focused on airlines and air travel
- U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSE: GOAU), focused on gold mining
- U.S. Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (NYSE: SEA), focused on global shipping and logistics
To sign up for updates and learn more about the U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR), click here.
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About U.S. Global Investors, Inc.
The story of U.S. Global Investors goes back more than 50 years when it began as an investment club. Today, U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (www.usfunds.com) is a registered investment adviser that focuses on niche markets around the world. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the Company provides money management and other services to U.S. Global Investors Funds and U.S. Global ETFs.
Forward-Looking Statements and Disclosure
Please consider carefully a fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. For this and other important information, obtain a statutory and summary prospectus by visiting www.usglobaletfs.com. Read it carefully before investing.
Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
The Fund is actively-managed and there is no guarantee the investment objective will be met. The fund is new and has a limited operating history to evaluate. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning it may concentrate its assets in fewer individual holdings than a diversified fund.
The Fund’s concentration in the securities of a particular industry namely Aerospace and Defense, Cybersecurity and Semi-conductor industries as well as geographic concentration may cause it to be more susceptible to greater fluctuations in share price and volatility due to adverse events that affect the Fund’s investments.
Aerospace and Defense companies are subject to numerous risks, including fierce competition, adverse political, economic and governmental developments, substantial research and development costs. Aerospace and defense companies rely heavily on the U.S. Government, political support and demand for their products and services.
Companies in the cybersecurity field face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. The products of cybersecurity companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological development. Companies in the cybersecurity field are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights.
Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semiconductor companies and may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and can be highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results to vary significantly. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile.
Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers may subject the Fund to more volatility and less liquidity due to currency fluctuations, political instability, economic and geographic events. Emerging markets may pose additional risks and be more volatile due to less information, limited government oversight and lack of uniform standards.
Distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. U.S. Global Investors is the investment advisor to WAR.
[1] Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
[2] There is no guarantee that the desired outcome will be achieved.
[3] Tian, N., Lopes da Silva, D., Liang, X., & Scarazzato, L. (2024, April). Trends in world military expenditure, 2023. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). https://doi.org/10.55163/BQGA2180
[4] European Defence Agency. (2024). Coordinated annual review on defence (CARD) report 2024. https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/documents/card-report-2024.pdf
[5] Burm, G. (2024, November 28). State of the semiconductor industry. PwC. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/technology/state-of-the-semicon-industry.html
[6] Thormundsson, B. (2024, November 28). Artificial intelligence (AI) market size worldwide from 2020 to 2030. Statista. https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1474143/global-ai-market-size
- Global Defense Spending Has Risen for Nine Consecutive Years
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market Size, 2020 – 2030