With markets enduring heavy pressure so far in March, it's important for investors not to panic and to maintain a long-term view of their portfolios.
A new report from Global X has reinforced that technological innovation doesn't slow down just because markets wobble.
It said that some of the most transformative breakthroughs, from the internet to smartphones to modern cloud computing, have continued to accelerate even during periods of uncertainty.
Today, the next wave of innovation is already underway. Artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and even humanoid technology are advancing at extraordinary speed.
These are megatrends reshaping infrastructure, manufacturing, defence, energy and the way people work. And unlike speculative stocks, there's a practical, tangible way to invest in the foundations of this boom: the "picks and shovels" behind the innovation economy.
Here are three ASX ETFs to consider for investors seeking raw exposure to the foundations of these rising sectors.
All have risen roughly 80% in the last 12 months.
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Global X Copper Miners ETF (ASX: WIRE)
This fund provides access to a global basket of copper miners that stand to benefit from being key parts of the value chain, facilitating growth in major areas of innovation such as technology, infrastructure, and clean energy.
With global electrification accelerating and AI infrastructure buildouts gathering pace, demand for copper is expected to structurally outstrip supply for years. WIRE offers a simple way for investors to gain exposure to this long-term demand without needing to pick individual mining stocks.
According to the report, copper matters for innovation for several reasons:
- AI data centres require enormous amounts of copper for heat dissipation and electrical wiring
- Robotics and automation systems use copper in motors, chips, wiring, sensors and circuit boards
- Electric vehicles contain two to four times more copper than petrol cars
- Renewable energy systems, such as wind turbines and solar farms, are copper-intensive by design.
Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM)
Global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions will see uranium and nuclear adoption rise as a crucial power source to facilitate the clean energy transition.
ATOM gives investors exposure to the global uranium industry at a time when nuclear energy is being re-evaluated as a critical enabler of the digital economy.
According to the report, uranium is experiencing a global resurgence because it provides:
- Zero-carbon baseload power
- High reliability
- The ability to support 24/7 AI and computing loads
- Independence from fossil fuel price volatility
Global X Green Metal Miners ETF (ASX: GMTL)
This ASX ETF provides exposure to global companies that produce critical metals for clean energy infrastructure and technologies, including lithium, copper, nickel and cobalt.
These are the essential inputs for:
- EV batteries
- Robotics and automation components
- High-performance magnets used in humanoid technology
- Renewable energy storage
- Advanced computing and electronics
