Nvidia, ’s dizzying rally spurs rush into AI-themed ETFs
The excitement around artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a significant increase in investments in AI-themed Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) in the United States, with their total value rising from .55 billion to .88 billion from the previous year to the end of February, according to Morningstar data. This surge in interest is partly due to the impressive performance of companies like Nvidia, whose shares have seen substantial growth. Nvidia, recognized for its AI chips, recently introduced the Blackwell B200 chip, which is up to 30 times faster than its predecessor. The GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF, which aims to deliver twice the daily return of Nvidia’s shares, saw its assets double to billion. Other smaller AI-themed ETFs, such as the Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF, have also seen significant growth in assets. Morningstar tracks 18 diversified AI-related ETFs, seven of which were launched in the last three years, and one was redesigned to focus more on AI. These funds collectively attracted .68 billion in inflows over the last 12 months. The interest in AI has contributed to a nearly 8% increase in the S&P 500 year-to-date, with significant gains in AI-related companies like Nvidia and Microsoft. Some ETFs, like the Global X Artificial Intelligence and Technology ETF, limit exposure to Nvidia to manage risk, while others, like the Robo Global Robotics & Automation ETF, include companies expected to benefit from AI technology. However, not all AI-themed ETFs have been successful, with the WisdomTree US AI Enhanced Value ETF experiencing outflows of .26 million in the last 12 months and underperforming compared to the S&P 500, possibly due to a lack of positions in Nvidia and other AI-related stocks.