The ETF industry continues to grow at a record pace. 178 new ETFs have launched in the US this year so far, taking the total number of US listed products to 2,041 and assets under management to about $3.3 trillion.
New ETFs are getting more niche, focusing on a very narrow corner of the market or a very specialized strategy. The main reason is that all easy ideas have already been taken and then it is impossible for new comers to compete with popular and ultra-cheap ETFs sponsored by industry heavyweights.
Today, we are highlighting two very interesting ETFs launched recently.
AI Powered Equity ETF (AIEQ)
It’s the world’s first artificial intelligence powered ETF. The ETF will use IBM’s Watson supercomputer to constantly analyze information for approximately 6,000 US listed equities and process more than one million regulatory filings, quarterly results releases, news articles, and social media posts every day.
The process identifies approximately 30 to 70 companies with the greatest potential for appreciation over the next one-year and their corresponding weights.
AIEQ is actively-managed and has an expense ratio of 0.75%.
U.S. Tax Reform Fund (TAXR)
The Senate and the House have passed the budget, taking an important step on the long road to tax reform. The Republicans hope to pass the tax bill by the end of the year.
This fund looks to offer capital gains by investing in companies that will benefit from enactment of changes to the US Tax Code.
The fund charges 85 bps in fees. It is actively-managed.
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US-TAX REFORM (TAXR): ETF Research Reports
AI-PWRD EQ (AIEQ): ETF Research Reports
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Zacks Investment Research