
The weight loss ETF industry is on the rise, with a growing number of investors turning to these funds to tap into the lucrative market.
According to a recent report, the global weight loss market is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025, driven by increasing awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles.
Investors are drawn to the potential for high returns in this sector, with some weight loss ETFs offering double-digit annual returns.
However, it's essential to approach this market with caution, as the industry's future prospects are not without challenges.
Investing in Weight Loss ETFs
Investing in weight loss ETFs can be a smart move, especially with the growing demand for effective weight-management solutions.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are industry leaders in the weight loss market, with their commitment to developing cutting-edge treatments.
Their weight-loss drugs, such as Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Novo Nordisk's amycretin, have shown promise in treating obesity-related conditions.
These medications have dual benefits in treating type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss, making them a key focus for weight loss ETFs like OZEM.
OZEM's portfolio is heavily invested in these companies, with Eli Lilly's stock commanding 21.04% and Novo Nordisk's stock commanding 20.31%.
This significant investment in these companies ensures that OZEM is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for weight-loss solutions.
Novo Nordisk's amycretin is a significant advancement in the field, offering a new way to treat obesity-related conditions with oral medication instead of injections.
Choosing a Weight Loss ETF
If you're considering investing in a weight loss ETF, you'll want to evaluate the long-term potential of the companies involved.
Industry observers are cautious about the long-term prospects of weight loss drugs, with a historical pattern of promising drugs facing serious issues.
The Roundhill GLP-1 Weight Loss ETF (OZEM) and the Amplify Weight Loss Drug and Treatment ETF (THNR) both have significant weightings in industry giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, allocating about 40% and 30%, respectively.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are the only companies licensed to supply GLP-1 agonist drugs for weight loss, and recent trials have shown they can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Kenneth Lamont, a senior research analyst with Morningstar, notes that solving obesity has been a long-sought goal with many setbacks.
Investors should be aware that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's current advantages might be challenged by new drugs in the pipeline, offering benefits like less frequent administration and fewer side effects.
The Amplify Weight Loss Drug and Treatment ETF (THNR) includes companies expected to bring new drugs to market soon, and Fujifilm Holdings, which manufactures injection devices that are currently in shortage.
This shortage indicates potential growth in the injectable GLP-1 drug market, especially given that many insurance companies do not cover these drugs as part of regular medical expenses.
However, Lamont questioned whether ETFs like OZEM and THNR are the best approach, noting their concentrated bets and the need to pay an annual fee of 0.59%.
You could achieve similar exposure by buying a few key stocks directly, making the ETF fee unnecessary.
Understanding Weight Loss ETFs
Roundhill's GLP-1 & Weight Loss ETF, OZEM, is the world's first GLP-1 ETF and an actively-managed ETF.
The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing revolutionary advancements with weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 agonists, which have led to a 10-20% reduction in body-weight.
Recent studies have shown that GLP-1 drugs can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death by approximately 20%.
ETFs Bet on Questioned Industry Potential
The weight-loss ETFs, like the Roundhill GLP-1 Weight Loss ETF (OZEM) and the Amplify Weight Loss Drug and Treatment ETF (THNR), are betting big on the industry's potential, but industry observers are questioning their long-term prospects.
More than 10% of the global population now suffers from obesity, which has led to a surge in the share prices of companies providing weight-loss drugs.
Recent trials have shown that GLP-1 agonist drugs, which are supplied by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Industry observers, like Kenneth Lamont, are cautious about the long-term prospects of these drugs, citing historical patterns of promising weight-loss drugs facing serious issues.
The Financial Times noted that investors should be aware that Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk's current advantages might be challenged by new drugs in the pipeline.
New drugs in the pipeline could offer benefits like less frequent administration, oral options instead of injections, and fewer side effects.
Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify, believes that the shortage of injection devices could indicate potential growth in the injectable GLP-1 drug market.
However, Lamont questioned whether ETFs like OZEM and THNR are the best approach, noting their concentrated bets and the need to pay an annual fee of 0.59%.
Investors could achieve similar exposure by buying a few key stocks directly, which could save them the annual fee.
How They Work
Weight loss ETFs are traded on a stock exchange, where the price changes throughout the day as they're bought and sold.
Their value is determined by the net asset value of the underlying stocks they represent, which can affect their trading price.
These investments have high daily liquidity, making it easy to buy and sell them, and come with lower fees compared to other investment options.
Weight loss ETFs are managed passively, matching a specific market index, which keeps costs low.
This passive management approach also means lower administrative costs and a reduced expense ratio that benefits investors.
Overview
Weight loss ETFs are a type of investment that allows you to diversify your portfolio while still benefiting from the growing market of weight loss treatments.
The trading price of a weight loss ETF changes throughout the day, just like a stock exchange, and is influenced by the net asset value of the underlying stocks it represents.
These investments are managed passively, meaning they simply track a specific market index, which makes them cost-efficient and low-risk.
One of the key benefits of weight loss ETFs is their high daily liquidity, which means you can easily buy and sell shares throughout the day.
The Roundhill GLP-1 & Weight Loss ETF (OZEM) is an example of an actively-managed ETF that focuses on the global pharmaceuticals industry, specifically on GLP-1 agonists.
The obesity treatment market is expected to reach $130 billion by 2030, according to Goldman Sachs Research, making it a potentially lucrative investment opportunity.
Recent studies have shown that GLP-1 drugs can lead to a 10-20% reduction in body weight and lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death by approximately 20%.
Thematic Allocation
Indexes are unmanaged and it's not possible to invest directly in an index. The VettaFi Weight Loss Drug & Treatment Index is a float-adjusted market cap weighted index comprised of global companies who are manufacturers or enablers of the GLP-1 pharmaceutical business.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are key players in the weight loss market, with their commitment to developing cutting-edge treatments. These companies are pivotal to the performance of OZEM, a weight-loss drug ETF.
Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug, Zepbound, has shown promise in treating obesity-related conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, commanding a 21.04% of the OZEM portfolio. Novo Nordisk continues to innovate with new treatments like amycretin, which combines the benefits of GLP-1 and amylin to enhance weight loss and regulate blood sugar levels, making up 20.31% of the OZEM portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an ETF for weight loss drugs?
Yes, there is an ETF specifically focused on weight loss drugs, known as the Amplify Weight Loss Drug & Treatment ETF (THNR). This ETF provides exposure to companies involved in the development and manufacturing of GLP-1 agonist treatments.
What is the best equal weighted S&P 500 ETF?
The best-performing Equal-Weighted ETF in the last year was FNGU, with a return of 57.27%. However, the largest Equal-Weighted ETF is the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) with $57.60B in assets.
Sources
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/etf/etfs-bet-high-on-weight-loss-drugs-but-industry-observers-question-long-term-potential-1033461767
- https://ventsmagazine.com/2024/09/18/weight-loss-etfs-explained-a-beginners-guide-to-health-oriented-investments/
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/etf/new-weight-loss-etf-is-essentially-a-play-on-eli-lilly-novo-nordisk-1033437704
- https://www.roundhillinvestments.com/etf/ozem/
- https://amplifyetfs.com/thnr/
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