
Thematic investing is a style of investing that focuses on specific themes or trends in the market, such as technology or sustainability.
Thematic ETFs are a type of exchange-traded fund that allows you to invest in a particular theme or trend. They often track a specific index or basket of stocks that are related to the theme.
One of the key benefits of thematic ETFs is their ability to provide broad diversification within a specific theme, which can be more targeted than a traditional index fund.
By investing in a thematic ETF, you can gain exposure to a particular theme or trend without having to pick individual stocks.
Getting Started
To get started with iShares thematic ETFs, it's essential to do some research and find the right ETFs that align with your investment goals and risk tolerance. This can help minimize risk and investment costs.
With thousands of ETFs out there, you'll likely find an option that matches your theme of interest. For example, if you're interested in electric vehicles, consider an EV ETF that tracks companies involved in the production and sales of electric vehicles.
To begin, take some time to explore the various themes and their associated ETFs. This will help you make informed decisions about your investments.
AI Investing for Beginners
Getting started with AI investing can be a bit overwhelming, but it's definitely worth exploring. Thematic ETFs can be a useful tool for investors looking to increase their exposure to particular industries or themes while possibly minimizing risk and investment costs.
If you're interested in AI, you can consider an AI-themed ETF that seeks to replicate the performance of a group of companies involved in the development and application of artificial intelligence.
Thematic ETFs offer precise exposures to capture the impact of mega forces, and BlackRock offers a wide range of ETFs to help investors position their portfolios for these seismic shifts.
Investors can make targeted bets on particular themes by focusing on a specific subset of companies within an industry, known as sub-sector ETFs.
AI investing involves risk, including risk related to foreign currency, limited liquidity, and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic, or other developments.
Trade with E*Trade
You can trade ETFs with E*Trade from Morgan Stanley, which offers every ETF sold.
Their 24x5 trading allows you to react to market news around the clock on some of today's most active ETFs.
E*Trade's ETF Screener helps you quickly focus in on the funds you're looking for.
Automatic investing with as little as $25 per recurring investment gives you access to well-known ETFs by purchasing shares at regular intervals and in equal amounts.
E*Trade's Prebuilt Portfolios of ETFs simplify your investing.
With zero commissions, trading with E*Trade is usually less expensive than other baskets of investments, such as mutual funds.
Investing in Tech
Investing in Tech ETFs can provide a way to get exposure to the tech industry without the single-stock risk. You can capture the trend of 81% of global ETF investors planning to increase exposure to thematic ETFs.
Exposure to companies at the forefront of robotics and artificial intelligence innovation is available through thematic ETFs. This can be a great way to tap into the growth potential of emerging technologies.
Investing in tech ETFs can also provide a way to target growth in specific geographies, such as emerging markets, while maintaining flexibility for a tailored approach to invest in countries like China.
What Is Investing?
Investing is a way to grow your money by putting it into assets that have a good chance of increasing in value over time. Thematic investing is a strategy that focuses on investing in companies that are part of a specific theme or trend.
Thematic investing allows you to align your investment portfolio with your personal values and beliefs. This can be a great way to make investing more meaningful and enjoyable.
Common themes in thematic investing include renewable energy, healthcare innovation, and disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence. These themes are often driven by macroeconomic trends, global events, and demographics.
Investing in different industries and sectors can help you diversify your portfolio and reduce risk. Thematic investing can also help you do this by focusing on broader, cross-industry themes like sustainability or innovation.
Thematic investing is sometimes confused with sector investing, which focuses on investing in companies in a specific industry. However, thematic investing looks at the bigger picture and focuses on trends that may shape the future.
Investing in Tech
81% of global ETF investors plan on increasing exposure to thematic ETFs, which can help you capture the trend in tech.
You can get tech exposure without the single-stock risk by investing in a tech ETF.
Exposure to companies at the forefront of robotics and artificial intelligence innovation is available through thematic ETFs.
Investing in tech ETFs can provide a precise exposure to capture the impact of mega forces driving the tech industry.
BlackRock offers the widest range of ETFs, including those focused on tech, to help you position your portfolio for seismic shifts.
International investing involves risk, including risk related to foreign currency, limited liquidity, and less government regulation, which can be heightened for investments in emerging/developing markets and in concentrations of single countries.
Exposure to U.S. companies that design, manufacture, and distribute semiconductors is also available through ETFs.
Investing in emerging markets ex China can provide exposure to emerging markets while maintaining flexibility for a tailored approach to invest in China.
Thematic Investing
Thematic investing is a smart way to diversify your portfolio and tap into emerging trends. Thematic ETFs offer a convenient and low-cost way to invest in a basket of companies that align with your chosen theme.
Thematic ETFs provide instant diversification, reducing the risk of any one company performing poorly. This is especially important for investors who want to minimize risk without sacrificing potential returns.
A single trade can provide exposure to nine pivotal themes driven by technological advancements, shifting demographics, and evolving demand for finite resources. The iShares Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) is a great example of this, offering a broad range of companies across multiple sectors.
Here are some key benefits of thematic ETFs:
- Instant diversification: By investing in a basket of companies, you're less exposed to the risks of any one company.
- Less control: Because you're investing in a basket of stocks, you have less control over which individual companies you're investing in.
Why Invest?
Thematic investing can be a powerful way to grow your wealth, as seen in the example of Amazon, which delivered a 51x return to its investors over 20 years. This is in contrast to eToys, an online seller of toys, which filed for bankruptcy.
Investing thematically can be easier than picking the right companies, as the example shows. By focusing on a theme, you can capture the impact of mega forces and position your portfolio for seismic shifts.
Thematic ETFs, such as BlackRock's offerings, provide precise exposures to capture these themes. They can be built around traditional market classifications or use a sector & geography-agnostic approach.
Investing internationally involves risk, including risk related to foreign currency, limited liquidity, and less government regulation. However, the potential rewards can be substantial, as seen in the growth of U.S. companies that design, manufacture, and distribute semiconductors.
By investing thematically, you can tap into the growth potential of specific geographies, such as emerging markets or regions with strong demographics.
Thematic Investing: Stocks
Thematic investing involves identifying and investing in companies that are driving innovation and growth in specific areas or themes. This approach can be done through individual stocks or thematic ETFs.
Investing in individual stocks requires a deep understanding of the theme or trend, which can be time-consuming and may require a significant amount of research. As Jay Jacobs, US Head of Thematics and Active Equity ETFs at iShares, explains, "A thematic ETF seeks to offer convenient, low-cost exposure to a particular theme."
One of the biggest challenges of investing in individual stocks is achieving diversification. If one company performs poorly, it can have a significant impact on the entire portfolio. On the other hand, thematic ETFs offer instant diversification by investing in a basket of stocks that align with the chosen theme.
Here are some key benefits of investing in individual stocks:
- Greater flexibility: You have the ability to pick and choose exactly which companies to invest in based on your interest.
- Riskier: It's harder to achieve diversification when investing in individual stocks, and if one company performs poorly, it can have a significant impact on the portfolio.
- Time-consuming: Building a portfolio of individual stocks takes time and effort, as you need to research companies, monitor their performance, and make decisions about when to buy and sell.
- More expensive: Buying and selling individual stocks may cost you more over time.
Here are some key benefits of investing in thematic ETFs:
- Instant diversification: When you invest in an ETF, you're buying a basket of stocks that all align with your chosen theme, reducing the risk of any one company performing poorly.
- Less control: Because you're investing in a basket of stocks, you have less control over which individual companies you're investing in.
Ultimately, the choice between investing in individual stocks or thematic ETFs depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and personal preferences. As the example of Amazon and eToys shows, picking the right theme can be easier than picking the right companies.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a key benefit of thematic investing. Because they’re traded on major exchanges, thematic investments are typically as easy as stocks to buy and sell.
This means you can quickly and easily get into or out of a theme as your investment goals or risk tolerance change. This ease of access can be a big advantage over traditional investing methods.
With thematic investments, you can also diversify your portfolio by spreading your money across different themes, which can help reduce risk.
Options for Diversifying into AI
Diversifying into AI can be done through various investment options. AI ETFs are one such option that allows easy investment in multiple AI companies without having to pick individual stocks.
You can consider investing in a Global X Robotics & AI ETF, which holds diverse AI-related stocks, focusing on robotics and AI benefits.
Investing in AI ETFs can offer diversification across rapidly advancing AI technologies. This is particularly beneficial for investors who want to spread their risk and potentially earn higher returns.
If you're looking for a specific example, the Global X Robotics & AI ETF is a great place to start. It's a well-diversified fund that tracks the performance of the robotics and AI industry.
Here are some key points to consider when investing in AI ETFs:
- AI ETFs allow easy investment in multiple AI companies without picking individual stocks.
- Global X Robotics & AI ETF holds diverse AI-related stocks, focusing on robotics and AI benefits.
- Investing in AI ETFs can offer diversification across rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Should I Buy?
If you're considering investing in iShares thematic ETFs, it's essential to do your research and find the right ETFs that align with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
There are thousands of ETFs out there, so you'll likely find an option that fits your theme of interest. For example, if you're interested in electric vehicles, you could consider an EV ETF that seeks to replicate the performance of companies involved in the production and sales of electric vehicles.
Before making a decision, take a closer look at the ETFs you're considering. Check their expense ratios, dividend yields, and past performance to ensure they align with your investment goals.
Thematic ETFs can be a useful tool for investors looking to increase their exposure to particular industries or themes while minimizing risk and investment costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iShares ETF is the best?
There isn't a single "best" iShares ETF, as the best choice depends on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Consider the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) for a broad U.S. stock market exposure or the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) for a diversified bond portfolio.
Sources
- https://www.etoro.com/en-us/investing/thematic-investing/
- https://www.ishares.com/us/products/etf-investments
- https://us.etrade.com/what-we-offer/investment-choices/etfs
- https://www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/investments/products/thematic-etfs
- https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/information-technology/ai-stocks/ai-etfs/
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