There are a number of exchange traded funds (ETFs) that give investors exposure to the technologies, infrastructure, and industries that could shape the next decade.

Here are three exciting ASX ETFs that could be worth a closer look.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This fund gives investors exposure to companies involved in robotics, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced industrial technology. Its holdings include ABB (SWX: ABBN), Keyence Corp (FRA: KEE), and NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA).

The interesting part of this fund is that it reaches beyond the obvious AI names. It gives investors exposure to the machines, sensors, software, and specialist hardware that are changing how work gets done.

Factories are becoming more automated, hospitals are using more advanced surgical systems, warehouses and logistics networks are relying more heavily on robotics, and manufacturers are investing in technology that can improve precision, speed, and productivity.

Over the long term, businesses are likely to keep looking for ways to do more with fewer resources. That could keep demand for automation technology moving higher.

Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

Another ASX ETF that offers a way to invest in the future is the Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF.

This fund is built around the physical and operational backbone of artificial intelligence. Its holdings include Delta Electronics (FRA: DLS), Zhongji Innolight, and GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV).

That makes it quite different from many AI-focused investments. Rather than only targeting chipmakers or software platforms, this fund looks at what AI needs underneath the surface. That can include energy systems, data centre equipment, networking components, electrical infrastructure, and materials.

This is important because AI is not just a software story. It requires enormous computing power, reliable electricity, cooling, connectivity, and supply chains capable of supporting global demand.

As AI adoption grows, the infrastructure behind it may become just as important as the models themselves. This could bode well for the fund's holdings over the long term.

Betashares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF (ASX: DRIV)

A third ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF.

This fund lets investors buy a slice of companies involved in electric vehicles, mobility technology, transport equipment, and related supply chains. Its holdings include Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Sumitomo Electric Industries (FRA: SMO), and BYD (SEHK: 1211).

The future of transport is not only about electric cars. It also includes batteries, charging infrastructure, autonomous technology, advanced components, commercial vehicles, and smarter mobility systems.

That gives this fund a broader opportunity than simply trying to pick one winning carmaker.

The sector can be cyclical, competitive, and highly sensitive to policy settings and consumer demand. But the long-term shift toward cleaner, more connected transport still has years to run.

For investors wanting exposure to the changing way people and goods move around the world, this ASX ETF could be an exciting option.

The post Invest in the future with these exciting ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Every chatbot answer and every model trained has to run somewhere – and that somewhere is a vast, power-hungry data centre.

That simple fact is driving one of the largest capital spending waves in corporate history.

Concrete, copper, and kilowatts

The world's biggest technology companies – Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms – are racing to build the physical backbone of AI. Together, these hyperscalers plan to spend a combined US$725 billion on AI development this year, with roughly 70% to 75% of that flowing straight into infrastructure. 

Infrastructure here means something concrete. It means the data centres themselves, the chips inside them, the networking that connects them, and – crucially – the power grids and cooling systems that keep them running.

And this is not a one-year story. There are Broad estimates that global data centre spending will exceed US$2 trillion over the next five years. 

A data centre is essentially a warehouse full of servers that runs around the clock. It draws enormous amounts of electricity, generates significant heat, and requires constant cooling. Build thousands of them, and you create huge, durable demand for utilities, copper, engineering, and essential-service operators.

That is the part of the AI trade that often gets overlooked. The picks and shovels, not the gold.

Why a basket beats a single bet

Picking the single biggest winner from this buildout is hard. Will it be the chipmaker, the power company, the cooling specialist, or the copper miner? Guess wrong, and you can miss the whole move.

This is where exchange-traded funds (ETFs) earn their keep. Instead of betting on one name, an ETF spreads your capital across a basket of companies tied to the same theme. You trade the chance of picking a single moonshot for far lower concentration risk. 

Two ASX ETFs offer a neat way in.

The first is the VanEck FTSE Global Infrastructure (Hedged) ETF (ASX: IFRA). It holds around 150 listed infrastructure companies across developed markets, spanning electric utilities, toll roads, pipelines, airports, and rail networks. 

Think of IFRA as the boring backbone of the boom. Every data centre needs a power grid, and this fund owns the companies that run them. It currently trades around $25.50 and is forecast to yield almost 3% over the next 12 months. 

The second is the more direct play – the Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). Launched in 2025, it was the first ASX-listed fund built specifically around the physical AI buildout.

AINF holds an equally weighted basket of 31 stocks across energy, materials, and data infrastructure, including copper and uranium producers, utilities, and engineering firms. It has large positions in Delta Electronics, GE Vernova, and Vertiv Holdings. 

The trade-off is clear. IFRA is broader, hedged, and pays an income. AINF is narrower, more thematic, and built purely for this moment.

Foolish Takeaway

The AI data centre boom is real, and it runs on far more than software. It runs on power, metal, and physical construction – the kind of long-lived assets that tend to keep earning long after the hype fades.

Neither fund is risk-free. A slowdown in hyperscaler spending or a renewed rise in long bond yields could weigh on both. But for investors who believe the buildout has years to run, IFRA and AINF offer two distinct ways to own the foundations rather than guess the winner.

Sometimes the smartest way to play a gold rush is to back the people selling the shovels.

The post 2 ASX ETFs positioned for the booming AI data centre buildout appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

James Gerrish from Shaw and Partners says Amazon, Microsoft, Google parent, Alphabet, and Facebook parent, Meta Platforms, are the hyperscalers of AI, and they plan to spend a combined $725 billion on AI development this year alone.

In a recent Market Matters newsletter, Gerrish said:

All four companies appear to be following the same narrative – the cost of falling behind in AI is greater than the risk of overspending.

Gerrish noted that 70% to 75% of this capex spending was going to AI infrastructure.

AI infrastructure includes GPUs, custom silicon, data centres, networking, and the energy and cooling systems required to run them.

This is a clear shift beyond traditional cloud computing capex, Gerrish said.

Gerrish provided an assessment and guidance on three ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to the AI infrastructure buildout.

Here are his thoughts.

Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

The ASX SEMI is $35.47 apiece, down 2.3% on Tuesday and up 51% in the year to date (YTD).

Semiconductors control electrical currents in devices like computer chips and smartphones.

Gerrish said:

In simple terms, no AI model gets trained, no data centre gets built, and no smart device gets made without the chips SEMI's holdings produce, making it the most direct play on the raw computing power driving the entire AI buildout.

If the AI buildout continues to accelerate, this is where the capex flows first.

The ETF holds 31 global stocks, with more than 60% exposure to US names, positioning it at the pointy end of the AI infrastructure cycle.

It has already delivered ~36% in 2026, and we see scope for further upside, provided hyperscaler spending remains robust.

The world's biggest semiconductor manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, and semiconductor designers Broadcom and Nvidia are among this ETF's largest holdings.

In terms of a buy-in price, Gerrish said he was bullish on this ASX ETF at about $31 apiece:

We like the SEMI ETF through 2026, but from a risk/reward perspective, would leave some flexibility to add into the next ~$3-4 pullback.

VanEck FTSE Global Infrastructure (Hedged) ETF (ASX: IFRA)

IFRA ETF is $25.19 apiece, up 1.2% today and up 8% YTD.

Gerrish said:

The IFRA ETF gives ASX investors diversified exposure to the world's essential infrastructure operators, electric utilities, toll roads, pipelines, airports and rail networks across developed markets.

It can be considered the boring backbone of the AI buildout, with every data centre needing a power grid, and IFRA owns the companies that run them.

However, the returns over the last year haven't been particularly boring, with the ETF up more than +16%.

The ETF holds about 150 stocks with more than 70% exposure to the US and Canada.

The ASX ETF's top holding is Australian toll road operator Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).

Gerrish added:

It's arguably less sexy than the pure AI plays, but increasingly relevant, data centres require enormous amounts of electricity, cooling, and physical construction.

The more AI adoption accelerates, the more demand rises for the heavy industries that support it.

For good measure, the ETF is also forecast to yield almost 3% over the coming 12-months.

Gerrish said he is bullish and 'long' on this ASX ETF, and it is held in the Market Matters' Core ETF portfolio.

Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

AINF ETF is $17.44 apiece, down 2.5% today and up 17% YTD.

Gerrish said:

AINF arguably offers the purest exposure among the four ETFs looked at today, providing targeted access to the physical backbone of AI, spanning energy, data and materials infrastructure.

This includes copper and uranium producers, utilities and engineering firms, effectively everything required to build and power the data centres underpinning AI's global expansion.

Only launched in April 2025, the AINF was the first ASX-listed fund targeting the physical buildout of AI, and it has delivered a strong ~20% return in 2026.

The AINF ETF invests in 31 stocks with about 50% exposure to the US market.

The largest positions are Delta Electronics Inc, GE Vernova Inc, and Vertiv Holdings Co.

In terms of value, Gerrish said he was bullish on this ASX ETF below $18:

We like this ETF moving forward, but from a risk/reward perspective, we would leave room to average into dips below $17.

The post Best 3 ASX ETFs to leverage massive artificial intelligence buildout appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The key takeaway from the latest US reporting season is simple: company earnings are coming in stronger than investors expected. Most US companies have now reported, and earnings growth has been notably higher than last quarter, and importantly, it hasn't been driven by just a handful of big tech names.

Why this is good news for ETF investors

According to the report, earlier concerns around the Middle East pushed oil prices higher and increased volatility, but markets have since settled and refocused on fundamentals.

For long-term investors, broad earnings strength is reassuring. It suggests the market is being supported by real business growth, not just hype or speculation.

This matters for three reasons:

• Broader earnings reduce reliance on any single company or sector
• It supports diversification – a core reason many investors use ETFs
• It lowers the risk that one weak area can derail overall portfolio outcomes

AI development 

The report also reinforced that artificial intelligence continues to attract attention, but what's changed is where the evidence is showing up.

Large global technology companies are now spending real money on AI infrastructure including data centres, cloud capacity, chips and power. Capital spending plans across the biggest US tech firms have been revised higher, and cloud revenue growth is accelerating rather than slowing.

This confirms that  AI demand is real, not theoretical and the benefits are spreading beyond software into hardware, infrastructure and materials. 

Why artificial intelligence ETFs are a strategic play

The appeal of AI ETFs is the opportunity to diversify across the whole artificial intelligence landscape. 

AI is more than just chatbots and headline-grabbing software. 

The sector spans semiconductor manufacturers, cloud infrastructure providers, cybersecurity firms, robotics companies, data center operators, and businesses developing machine learning applications across industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation.

How to target artificial intelligence ETFs

There are several options for investors to consider who are aiming to target this emerging sector. 

One option is the Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). 

It focuses on the physical and operational backbone enabling AI's global expansion. While most AI investments focus on chips or platforms, AINF ETF looks underneath the surface at the energy, data, and materials infrastructure powering this transformation.

This fund has risen more than 60% in the last 12 months. 

Another option to consider is the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI). 

It seeks to invest in companies that potentially stand to benefit from the further development and utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their products and services, as well as in companies that provide hardware facilitating the use of AI for the analysis of big data.

The post Why US earnings is good news for artificial intelligence ETFs: Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's clear that Australians are more consistently turning to ASX ETFs for diversification and growth prospects. 

This increased investment is pushing funds higher this week. 

Here are five funds hitting record highs. 

Betashares Capital – Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

This fund pushed to a new all-time high yesterday, flirting with $21 per share during Thursday's trading session. 

Yesterday's gain now takes its 12 month return to over 83%. 

The fund aims to track the performance of an index (before fees and expenses) comprising the 50 largest technology and online retail stocks in Asia (ex-Japan).

Many of these companies are leading Asia's (ex-Japan) technological revolution.

Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

This ASX ETF from Global X also hit an all-time high during Thursday. 

The artificial intelligence movement has accelerated as businesses and industries have accepted AI demand is real, not theoretical. 

The benefits are spreading beyond software into hardware, infrastructure and materials. 

This ASX ETF has captured these tailwinds in a thematic fund, and is now up over 65% in the last 12 months. 

It offers targeted exposure to the physical and operational backbone enabling AI's global expansion. 

While most AI investments focus on chips or platforms, AINF ETF looks underneath the surface at the energy, data, and materials infrastructure powering this transformation.

Vanguard S&P 500 US Shares Index ETF (ASX: V500)

This new fund from Vanguard has enjoyed a steady climb since its initial listing in March 2026. 

It rose again yesterday, pushing to a new all-time high. 

This fund aims to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, giving investors exposure to 500 of the largest publicly listed companies in the United States. 

It is up more than 6% in its short history. 

Betashares Climate Change Innovation ETF (ASX: ERTH)

This ESG focussed ETF hit yearly highs yesterday. 

It comprises a portfolio of up to 100 leading global companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from products and services that help to address climate change and other environmental problems through the reduction or avoidance of CO2 emissions. 

This covers clean energy providers, along with leading companies tackling green transport, waste management, sustainable product development, and improved energy efficiency and storage.

It is now up over 18% in the last 12 months. 

VanEck Global Clean Energy ETF (ASX: CLNE)

Another ESG focussed fund, this ASX ETF has rocketed 70% higher in the last 12 months. 

It is now also trading at a 52-week high.

It gives investors a diversified portfolio of 30 of the largest and most liquid companies involved in clean energy production and associated technology and clean energy equipment globally.

The post These ASX ETFs are smashing record highs  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As May approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital adoption continue to shape that landscape. But the opportunity is not limited to one part of the market. It is spreading across regions, industries, and layers of the technology stack.

Here are three ASX ETFs that tap into that growth in different ways.

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF.

This ETF focuses on major technology companies across Asia, a region where digital adoption is still accelerating.

Its holdings include companies such as Meituan (SEHK: 3690), PDD Holdings (NASDAQ: PDD), and Samsung Electronics.

Samsung offers a good illustration of the opportunity. As a global leader in semiconductors and electronics, it sits at the centre of multiple growth areas, from smartphones to memory chips used in data centres.

As digital ecosystems continue to expand across Asia, this fund provides exposure to that ongoing growth.

Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

Another ASX ETF that stands out for growth investors is the Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF.

While much of the focus in AI has been on software and chips, this ETF looks at the systems that make it all possible.

Its holdings include companies such as Vertiv Holdings (NYSE: VRT), Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET), and Cameco Corporation (NYSE: CCJ).

Vertiv is a good example of this layer. It provides cooling and power systems used in data centres, which are essential as AI workloads increase in size and complexity.

The growth in AI is driving significant investment in infrastructure, with data centre spending expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

By focusing on the physical backbone of AI, this fund captures a part of the theme that is often overlooked.

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

A third ASX ETF worth keeping an eye on is the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF.

This ETF takes a broader approach, investing across the full AI ecosystem, from hardware to software and applications.

Its holdings include stocks such as SK Hynix, Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD), and Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO).

SK Hynix highlights how demand for memory and processing power is increasing as AI adoption grows. Its products are critical for handling the large volumes of data required by AI systems.

The rapid commercialisation of AI is expanding its use across industries, from healthcare to agriculture, creating a wide range of growth opportunities.

With exposure across multiple segments and regions, this fund provides a broad way to invest in the continued development of artificial intelligence.

The post 3 exciting ASX ETFs for growth investors to watch in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

History is clear on this point. The share market's biggest single-day and weekly gains have almost always followed its worst periods. Investors who panic-sold in March 2020, in the 2022 rate shock, or during the GFC did not just lock in losses — they missed the recoveries that followed. Those recoveries have been among the greatest wealth-creation events of a lifetime.

So if the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell 20% from here, what might a prepared investor actually do?

Buy. Deliberately. With a list already prepared.

Save like a pessimist, invest like an optimist

One framework worth considering starts well before a crash arrives. Keeping a cash buffer — not out of fear, but out of preparation — creates "dry powder". It is what allows an investor to lean into fear when others are running from it.

When the drop comes, the goal is not to pick the exact bottom. That is a fool's (small "f"!) errand. The aim is simply to be in the market when it recovers. Perfect positioning is not required. Participation is.

The core of a sensible crash-buying approach is broad, low-cost index exposure to the two most important share markets in the world.

For Australia, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) tracks the 300 largest companies on the ASX. Banks, miners, healthcare, consumer staples — all in one basket. When the market is down 20%, the case for owning the whole market rather than trying to pick survivors becomes even stronger.

For the United States, the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) offers unhedged S&P 500 exposure, while the iShares S&P 500 AUD Hedged ETF (ASX: IHVV) removes currency noise for investors who prefer not to carry AUD/USD risk.

Together, VAS and either the IVV or IHVV ETF can form the core of a portfolio: stable, diversified, and built to survive almost anything.

The satellite: growth where it matters most

A core-only portfolio is robust, but not particularly positioned for growth. That is where a satellite allocation can earn its place.

The focus here is not on chasing every trend. The more compelling case is for two structural shifts that look likely to reshape the global economy over the next decade: robotics and AI infrastructure.

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ) provides exposure to companies developing and deploying robotics and AI — from industrial automation to unmanned systems. When markets fall broadly, quality companies in transformational sectors often fall just as hard as everything else. That is the potential entry point.

The other satellite worth watching is the Global X Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). While most attention focuses on the software and chip layer of AI, AINF sits beneath all of that — in the energy systems, data infrastructure, and materials that make AI physically possible. Global data centre spending is expected to exceed US$2 trillion over the next five years. That is not a trend. That is a building site.

A core-satellite approach does not mean splitting things equally. The core should represent the bulk of any position — perhaps 70–80% — with satellite ETFs taking a smaller, higher-conviction slice.

The Foolish takeaway

A 20% market crash would be uncomfortable. It always is. But discomfort and danger are not the same thing for a long-term investor with a prepared portfolio and cash ready to deploy.

The investors who tend to build real wealth are rarely the ones with the cleverest trades. They are the ones who stayed calm, kept buying, and let the market do its work over time. Having a watchlist of ETFs ready before the market falls is how that patience gets put to work.

The post All-weather ASX ETFs to buy if the market crashes 20% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Major technological shifts, from the expansion of the internet back to mass automobile production, highlight how early exposure to structural change can drive meaningful value creation.

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor infrastructure are shaping up as two of the most important themes of the next decade.

The challenge, however, is not recognising the trend — it is figuring out how to invest in it before the opportunity becomes obvious to everyone.

The rise of AI and semiconductor infrastructure

AI is no longer a niche concept. It is rapidly becoming embedded across industries, from healthcare and finance to logistics and defence.

Behind that shift sits an enormous infrastructure buildout.

Data centres are expanding. Cloud computing demand continues to rise. High-performance chips are becoming more critical with each new generation of AI models.

Semiconductors are effectively the "picks and shovels" of this transformation. Without them, AI simply does not function.

At the same time, the ecosystem is far broader than just chipmakers. It includes equipment suppliers, data centre operators, network providers, and unique part manufacturers.

That complexity is part of what makes the opportunity so compelling — and also what makes it difficult for investors to navigate.

Why picking winners can be harder than it looks

While it may be tempting to back a handful of individual companies, this approach comes with risks.

Even if an investor correctly identifies a leading player, there is no guarantee it will capture the majority of value over time.

Technology cycles can shift quickly. Competitive dynamics evolve. New entrants can disrupt incumbents.

In many cases, the biggest winners are not always the most obvious at the start.

That is one reason some investors are increasingly looking beyond individual stocks and toward broader exposure.

A different approach: Thematic ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer a way to gain exposure to a theme rather than a single company.

Instead of trying to pick one or two winners, investors can access a diversified basket of businesses that are all positioned to benefit from the same structural trend.

Two ASX-listed ETFs that focus directly on this theme include:

• Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) – targets companies enabling AI through data centres, cloud infrastructure, and hardware
• Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI) – provides exposure to global semiconductor leaders, including chip designers, manufacturers, and equipment providers

These types of ETFs reflect the reality that AI is not just an endpoint use case story; it is also an infrastructure story.

They provide exposure across the value chain rather than relying on a single company to execute perfectly.

Where these ETFs can fit in a portfolio

For many investors, broad index ETFs remain the foundation of a portfolio. These provide exposure to the overall market and help manage risk through diversification.

Thematic ETFs, on the other hand, tend to play a different role.

They can be used as a satellite allocation — a smaller portion of a portfolio designed to target specific areas of potential growth.

In this context, an investor might allocate a portion of their capital to themes like AI infrastructure, while maintaining core holdings elsewhere.

This allows for targeted exposure without overcommitting to a single idea.

It also aligns with a broader strategy of building a portfolio over time, focusing on quality, diversification, and compounding.

The trade-offs to consider

While thematic ETFs offer clear advantages, they are not without trade-offs.

Because they are more focused, they can be more volatile than broad market funds. They may also become crowded if investor enthusiasm runs ahead of fundamentals.

And importantly, not every theme will deliver the returns investors expect.

However, for investors who believe AI and semiconductors could remain at the centre of global growth, the question may not be whether to gain exposure, but how.

Foolish Takeaway

AI and semiconductor infrastructure are already reshaping industries and attracting enormous global investment.

For those looking to participate without picking individual winners, ETFs like AINF and SEMI offer a simple, diversified entry point.

Used thoughtfully within a broader portfolio, they may provide exposure to one of the most powerful investment themes of the coming decade before it becomes fully priced in.

The post As AI spending accelerates these ASX ETFs could help you tap into the boom appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Billy Leung, Senior Investment Strategist, said for much of the past decade, equity markets rewarded companies that required relatively little physical capital. 

This included software platforms and digital businesses.

These companies demonstrated how scale could be achieved without extensive infrastructure, allowing revenue growth to accelerate faster than investment.

Asset-light models became associated with high returns on capital, rapid scalability and structural market leadership.

However, Mr Leung contends there is a different set of economic forces is now drawing attention to industries built on physical capacity. 

Rising real interest rates increase the cost of capital and change how markets value long-duration growth. At the same time, geopolitical fragmentation and supply chain restructuring are forcing governments and corporations to reconsider how critical systems are built and maintained. Energy networks must expand, industrial production is being reshored across multiple regions, and infrastructure once taken for granted is being reassessed as strategically important.

This has brought attention to the HALO investing framework. 

What is HALO investing?

The HALO acronym stands for Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence. 

According to Global X, the concept focuses on companies built around substantial physical infrastructure. It also focusses on long-lived capital assets that are difficult to replicate. 

Their advantage is not based on rapid innovation cycles but on scale, engineering complexity and the time required to build the systems they operate. These assets often sit at the centre of economic activity, quietly supporting the movement of energy, goods and materials across entire economies.

However, several structural forces are now shifting the balance in favour of these equities. 

Governments across major economies are investing heavily in energy security, domestic manufacturing capacity and strategic infrastructure. 

Supply chains once prioritised efficiency. They are now being redesigned with resilience and redundancy in mind.

This is prevalent in sectors linked to energy systems, transportation networks and advanced industrial production.

What are examples of HALO industries?

For investors interested in how this looks in the real world, some examples include: 

• Energy infrastructure (power grids, pipelines, generation) – requires huge investment and becomes foundational once built
• Transportation networks (rail, ports, freight corridors) – are long-term projects enabling regional and global trade
• Industrial manufacturing – depends on complex facilities and machinery that take years to develop and are hard to replicate.

According to Global X, viewing markets through the HALO framework highlights a different source of competitive advantage.

Instead of focusing exclusively on companies capable of scaling rapidly with minimal capital investment, the approach emphasises industries where value is embedded in infrastructure and physical capacity.

Assets such as power grids, pipelines, rail corridors and industrial facilities cannot be recreated quickly. Their value reflects decades of investment, regulatory frameworks and specialised engineering capabilities. These systems underpin the movement of energy, materials and goods that support broader economic activity.

How can investors gain exposure?

For investors looking for exposure to HALO investment opportunities, some ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) – Exposure to companies involved in the physical infrastructure supporting modern computing, including data centres, power systems and network capacity.
• Global X Uranium ETF (ASX: ATOM) – Provides exposure to companies across the uranium and nuclear fuel ecosystem supporting nuclear power generation.
• Global X Green Metal Miners ETF (ASX: GMTL) – Tracks producers of metals such as copper, nickel and lithium that are essential inputs for infrastructure, energy systems and industrial capacity. 

The post What is HALO investing and how do investors gain exposure to it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As hyperscalers expand data centres and governments invest in electrification and transport upgrades, billions of dollars are flowing into the physical backbone that powers AI. For investors, that opens the door to companies that build and wire the infrastructure rather than design the software.

Here are three ASX-listed ideas exposed to that trend.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering 

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering Ltd (ASX: SXE) is an electrical, instrumentation, and communications services provider with exposure to infrastructure, resources, energy, and increasingly, data centres.

In December, the company announced it had secured approximately $90 million in new contracts across data centres and rail. That included works at DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT)'s SYD1 data centre project in Sydney's inner west, where the facility is being expanded with additional levels and increased power capacity.

The company's subsidiary, Heyday, was awarded design and construct works for low-voltage switchboards, busways, generators, UPS systems, and general power systems. On the rail side, Southern Cross secured electrical and communications works linked to Sydney Metro's St Marys Station Project.

As data centres scale up to handle AI workloads and transport infrastructure modernises, companies like Southern Cross are directly involved in delivering the power and systems that make it all work.

SKS Technologies 

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS) is another contractor positioned at the heart of the digital infrastructure buildout.

The company provides structured cabling, audiovisual, electrical, and communication solutions, with a growing footprint in data centres. While it is smaller than some industrial peers, its exposure to mission-critical infrastructure projects makes it a leveraged play on data centre expansion.

As AI models become more complex, demand for high-performance computing infrastructure continues to rise. That means more server rooms, more connectivity, and more integrated systems. Contractors like SKS sit at the implementation layer, helping deliver the physical networks and environments that support these facilities.

Rather than betting on which AI platform dominates, SKS offers exposure to the broader theme: more data, more processing power, and more infrastructure to house it.

Global AI Infrastructure ETF 

For investors seeking diversified exposure, the Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) provides a different angle.

The ETF is designed to track companies globally that build and enable AI infrastructure. That can include data centre operators, semiconductor manufacturers, networking hardware providers, and power and cooling specialists.

Instead of selecting individual stocks, AINF spreads exposure across the ecosystem supporting AI's growth. That may help reduce single-company risk while still capturing the broader structural theme.

As global investment in AI infrastructure accelerates, including new data centres and upgrades to energy and grid capacity, the ETF offers a way to participate in that buildout through a single ASX-listed vehicle.

The Foolish big picture

AI and electrification are not overnight stories. They are multi-year, potentially multi-decade shifts that require vast physical infrastructure.

While software companies may capture much of the attention, the engineering firms installing switchboards and cabling, and the global suppliers of servers and semiconductors, are integral to the process.

Of course, project-based businesses can face margin pressure and cyclical swings, and thematic ETFs can be volatile. Still, as capital continues flowing into data centres and grid upgrades, investors may keep a close eye on who is being paid to build the backbone of the AI age.

The post 3 ASX shares riding the AI infrastructure buildout appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Traditionally, ETFs were seen as a way to track broad markets or indexes. These were often indexes such as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) or the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

Funds that track these indexes are still great cornerstones of many portfolios. However, targeting emerging sectors can also help capture future growth. 

These are often referred to as thematic ASX ETFs. 

New insights from Global X have highlighted two such sectors that could be set for growth. 

Indian market lag creates opportunity 

A new report from Global X has reinforced the opportunity for Indian equities. 

However, it is important to point out that they have had a rough start to 2026. 

According to the report, the Indian share market started 2026 with its worst relative performance versus emerging markets in over 30 years.

However, there are three key tailwinds set to kick in that could help future growth. 

Firstly, the ETF provider pointed towards policy stability. 

Global X said India's government is reducing its fiscal deficit while maintaining significant capital expenditure. This is evident across transport, energy, and defence. 

Continued investment in infrastructure supports long-term productivity, while incentives for electronics, semiconductors, and clean energy help shore up domestic manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.

Secondly, trade clarity with the US is improving. 

The long-anticipated US-India trade deal removed a major overhang for markets, easing tariff uncertainty and improving sentiment among foreign investors. 

Finally, AI infrastructure is emerging as a growth engine. 

Global X said major global tech companies (including Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and others) have announced large-scale commitments to AI, cloud, and data centre buildouts across the country. 

With hyperscaler spending accelerating, India is aiming to transition from an outsourcing destination to a foundational AI infrastructure hub.

ASX ETFs to consider if you are looking for exposure to Indian equities include: 

• The Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX: NDIA)
• Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

AI infrastructure buildout 

Another global sector set for future growth is AI and semiconductors.

Of course, the growth of artificial intelligence is not a new idea. 

However, Global X has outlined the case that the semiconductor sector is moving through an important transition from cyclical to structural. 

What this means is the first phase of the AI trade was driven by demand for compute, concentrating gains in a small group of AI chip designers and hyperscalers as training and inference scaled rapidly. 

Now, as AI systems grow, tightening memory supply, surging storage needs, and rising data centre power demands are revealing infrastructure constraints. This is shifting the story from pure compute to a broader build-out across semiconductors and physical assets.

The AI build-out is now spreading across two distinct layers. The first is the digital layer, which sits within the semiconductor ecosystem and includes memory, foundries, chip designers, equipment, and advanced packaging.

The second is the physical layer, which allows that compute to operate at scale. This includes electricity generation, grid upgrades, data centres, cooling systems, and the broader industrial capacity required to support them. As AI workloads grow, this layer becomes just as critical as the chips themselves.

To target semiconductors directly, an ASX ETF to consider is the Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI). 

For investors looking to target the physical layer of the AI buildout, a fund to consider is the Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF). 

The post Niche ASX ETFs headed for massive growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In fact, the Australian ETF market grew 34.1% in 2025.

This growth was driven by over $53 billion in net inflows over the past year. This shattered the prior record of $31 billion set in 2024.

With so much money being pushed into this asset class, ETF providers are developing and offering new funds almost every month. 

Due to the steep competition, these funds often aim to target a sector that is not yet offered in an ASX ETF. 

What does this look like?

This means these thematic funds often target a specific sector, country, or utilise a unique methodology. 

It can be hard for investors to keep up not only with how many funds are now available (roughly 390), but also with how these funds are actually performing. 

Here is how four of the newest funds have performed since inception. 

Winners: Gold and AI 

Two of the biggest headlines in the last year have been the growth of AI and the rise in ASX gold shares.

ETF providers have been all over these trends with plenty of ETFs now targeting these specific markets. 

One of the most successful, relatively new ASX ETFs has been the Global X Gold Bullion (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX: GHLD). 

It was first listed in March 2025. 

In less than 12 months on the ASX, it has risen almost 60%. 

This fund is very simple. Rather than offering a combination of gold mining companies, it seeks to provide investment results that generally correspond to the spot price of gold bullion. 

Switching focus to another sector that has drawn plenty of investor attention, the Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) has also been a winner since inception. 

It has been available since just May of last year and is already up 58% in that span. 

The fund tracks the performance of companies involved in supporting the data centre infrastructure requirements arising from artificial intelligence operations.

This includes companies involved in electric utilities and infrastructure, energy management and optimisation, data centre equipment manufacturing, and more. 

Geographic focus 

There have also been several new ASX ETFs listed recently that target a specific country or geographic region. 

One example is the Global X China Tech ETF (ASX: DRGN)

It offers access to 20 leading Chinese technology companies listed in Hong Kong and Mainland.

Since inception in May last year, it has risen 16%. 

Even newer is the Global X Japan TOPIX 100 ETF (ASX: J100), focusing on Japan's largest and most liquid companies. 

It has risen 5.4% since November 2025. 

Foolish Takeaway 

It is exciting that almost every sector, theme, and strategy has a corresponding ASX ETF. 

But it is also important for investors to weigh up whether they are investing in a short-term trend or a sector with real long-term upside. 

ASX ETFs also come with fees, which can eat into potential gains more than many investors realise, particularly if the funds require significant ongoing management. 

The post How are these newly listed ASX ETFs performing? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Billy Leung, Senior Investment Strategist, reinforced that while gold and silver have dominated recent headlines, there is still plenty of opportunity in other corners of the market.

Here are three other themes investors should be aware of. 

AI infrastructure 

According to Global X, the narrative around AI is currently evolving. 

Reports are emerging that OpenAI is testing alternatives to Nvidia. 

According to Reuters, OpenAI has been unsatisfied with some of Nvidia's latest artificial intelligence chips, and it has sought alternatives since last year. 

While this has raised concerns around potential market share loss for Nvidia, switching costs across AI hardware, software stacks and developer ecosystems remain high, both in time and capital.

Mr Leung said the more important takeaway is not a sudden loss of Nvidia's dominance, but the continued broadening of the AI value chain. 

As AI workloads scale, opportunities extend beyond leading chip designers into the infrastructure layer supporting compute, networking and data centre build-out.

SpaceX and xAI

Another emerging story is that SpaceX and xAI are reportedly planning to merge ahead of a potential mega IPO, valuing the combined entity at around US$1.25 trillion. 

If realised, this would be one of the largest technology listings in history. It would also reshape the investable universe across launch services, satellite communications and frontier technologies.

This analysis supports a case for investing in defence shares because it points to a powerful overlap between defence, aerospace, and the rapidly accelerating space economy.

It could generate tailwinds for defence and aerospace companies supplying propulsion, satellites, sensors and mission-critical systems.

India and US Trade

Finally, the US is set to cut tariffs on India to 18% following commitments by Prime Minister Modi to curb Russian oil purchases and increase US imports. 

According to Global X, the announcement triggered sharp moves in India futures, easing a key macro overhang and reinforcing India's role within US-aligned supply chains. 

This development has been supportive for Indian equities and the rupee. 

While near-term volatility will persist, the combination of external resilience, domestic liquidity and institutional depth supports the case for India as a structural growth market rather than a macro risk trade.

How to gain exposure with ETFs

For investors looking into these themes more deeply, there are several thematic ASX ETFs that track these sectors. 

For global AI exposure: 

• Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)
• Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

Global defence: 

• Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)
• Beta Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

For exposure to India: 

• Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)
• Global X India Nifty 50 ETF (ASX: NDIA)
• VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF (ASX:GRIN)

The post Investment themes investors should be watching closely – Expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The report highlights that this investment class is becoming an increasingly attractive asset option for investors. 

Key takeaways

According to the Global X report, the Australian ETF market grew 34.1% in 2025 and is running at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.3%. 

This growth was driven by over $53 billion in net inflows over the past year, positive market movements, and unlisted funds converting into active ETFs.

Investors poured $5.3 billion in Australian ETFs in the final month of the year, capping off a record breaking 2025 with net inflows totalling $53.3 billion to close out the year, shattering the prior record of $31 billion set in 2024.

But it wasn't just the total investment that broke records. 

For the first time since 2019, 92% of Australian-listed ETFs delivered positive returns. 

These milestones highlight how ETFs have firmly established themselves as mainstream investment vehicles for Australian investors, offering transparency, liquidity and cost efficiency. 

With ETF penetration in Australia still well below international markets, we believe adoption has further room to grow as investors increasingly use ETFs as core portfolio building blocks across asset classes and investment styles.

The report also noted that most Australian ETF investors opt for unhedged currency funds for their global exposure. 

Historically, only 10-15% of global equity ETF allocations have been directed to currency-hedging strategies.

However, according to Global X, in 2025, that share rose. Roughly one in every five dollars flowing into currency-hedged exposures, reflecting a heightened focus on managing currency risk.

December at a glance

The report highlighted that December 2025 was dominated by a powerful surge across precious metals. 

This capped off a year where commodities emerged as the standout investment theme of 2025. 

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium all rallied sharply in the final month, supported by tight supply conditions, resilient central bank demand and growing expectations of easier monetary policy in 2026.

What were the most popular categories in 2025?

The report also shed light on the most heavily sought after sectors in 2025. 

Equity ETFs dominated inflows, capturing about two-thirds of total ETF flows in 2025. 

Of the $35 billion allocated to equity ETFs, $7.3 billion went into broad-based global equity ETFs, making them the most popular category as investors sought low-cost, diversified exposure.

Broad-based Australian equity ETFs ranked second, after leading flows in 2024.

Defensive assets were also significant, with $14 billion allocated to fixed income ETFs. Global diversified fixed income ETFs had a particularly strong December, boosted by a large model portfolio rotation, contributing to $2.1 billion in inflows for the year.

Liquid alternatives regained momentum, with commodity ETFs attracting over $2 billion in net inflows. Their share of total flows was the highest since 2020, reflecting renewed interest in diversification, inflation hedging, and real assets.

How to target these sectors?

For investors looking for exposure to these sectors, there are plenty of ASX ETFs to consider. 

Amongst thematic ASX ETFs, Global X identified the following as the fastest growing: 

• Global X China Tech Etf (ASX: DRGN)
• Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)
• Global X Gold Bullion (Currency Hedged) ETF (ASX:GHLD). 

For global equities, popular ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX:QUAL)

For broad-based Australian Shares: 

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
• BetaShares Australia 200 ETF (ASX: A200)
• Global X Australia 300 Etf (ASX: A300). 

The post Why Aussies are pouring into ASX ETFs at a record pace appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Rapid innovation in the sector is disrupting the ways we live and work and piquing investor interest in artificial intelligence.

However, it can be difficult to sift through the noise, headlines and misinformation. This is especially relevant when an industry is rapidly developing and changing. 

A new report from Global X has shed light on how to stay ahead of the curve. 

The rapidly evolving world of AI 

In the latest report from Global X, the ETF provider reinforced the difficulty of pinpointing where within a theme or industry to allocate resources. 

Global X said this could be upstream or downstream, in small-cap disruptors or established players, or emerging markets.

The challenge lies in cutting through the noise to distinguish transformative developments from those that may be overhyped.

The DISRUPT framework

Global X has developed an investment strategy to help pinpoint opportunities in the AI sector. 

According to Global X, the DISRUPT Framework evaluates seven key criteria: disruption, innovation, scalability, resilience, uptake, potential, and transformation. 

Together, these elements combine to create a detailed picture of a specific innovation. It also offers insights into lifecycle stage, market dynamics, and optimal investment opportunities.

The opportunity – AI and Automobiles 

The DISRUPT framework shows that AI in Auto is highly advanced in disruption and innovation. This is supported by strong adoption, improving scalability, and meaningful long-term economic potential. 

The technology is already embedded across global OEMs and EV makers, while partnerships between chip suppliers, cloud providers, and autonomy developers continue to deepen. 

AI now influences how cars are designed, manufactured, operated, and updated, with applications spanning smart cockpits, fleet optimisation, predictive maintenance, and assisted driving.

According to Global X, this creates a broad and investable opportunity set across the automotive value chain. 

The ETF provider said the strongest opportunities lie in the midstream where AI capability is already central to model design and production. 

Semiconductors, sensors, vehicle compute, simulation engines, and software stacks are scaling across the US and China in particular, with Korea and Japan strengthening through component and manufacturing leadership. 

These layers benefit from rising global AI penetration and tend to outperform downstream OEM exposure, which remains more sensitive to regulation, competition, and pricing.

How to gain exposure?

For investors wanting to gain exposure to these themes, there are targeted ASX ETFs that aim to track relevant companies. 

For broad exposure to AI companies, investors might consider the Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF).

It provides targeted exposure to this growing opportunity through a concentrated and equally weighted portfolio of companies across energy, materials and data infrastructure.

Another AI focussed ETF is the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI). 

It targets companies that potentially stand to benefit from the further development and utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their products and services, as well as in companies that provide hardware facilitating the use of AI for the analysis of big data.

For exposure to the electric vehicle sector, investors may consider the BetaShares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility ETF (ASX: DRIV). 

It provides exposure to a portfolio of global companies at the forefront of innovation in automotive technology.

The post Which AI themes should investors be targeting in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

While most are thematic funds, targeting a specific sector, there are also broad index tracking funds as well. 

The positive side of thematic investing is being able to gain exposure to a specific theme or niche that you have strong conviction in. 

Many of these funds have already brought solid returns. 

Let's look at how much an initial investment of $10,000 at each fund's inception would be worth today. 

Global X Defence Tech ETF (ASX: DTEC)

This ASX ETF was launched in October last year. 

"Launched" might be the perfect way to describe this fund's performance. 

Since inception (just over a year) it has risen 71.43%. 

At the time of writing, it is made up of 37 holdings. The underlying portfolio gives investors exposure to companies at the forefront of defence innovation. 

This includes AI, drones, and cybersecurity – all crucial components in today's modern defence landscape.

As global security concerns shift towards more technology-driven solutions, DTEC captures the sectors driving the future of defence.

Its largest exposure is to companies engaged in: 

• Aerospace & Defense (77.55%)
• Software (9.79%)
• Professional Services (7.35%)

Based on this ASX ETFs performance, an initial investment of $10,000 in October last year would now be worth approximately $17,143. 

Global X Ai Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF)

Another thematic fund from Global X that has soared since opening in late April/early May is the Global X AI Infrastructure fund. 

According to the provider, the objective of this ETF is to track the performance of companies involved in supporting the data centre infrastructure requirements arising from Artificial Intelligence operations. 

This includes companies involved in the supply of electric utilities and infrastructure, energy management and optimisation, data centre equipment manufacturing, thermal management, and production and refinement of Copper and Uranium used to power and operate the AI infrastructure.

It is made up of 30 total holdings, with 46% of its total exposure being to US based companies. 

Since its inception, it has risen an impressive 41.21%. 

A $10,000 investment when the fund first became available on the ASX would today be worth approximately $14,121.

Global X S&P World Ex Australia Garp Etf (ASX: GARP)

This fund has now been on the stock market since September last year. 

In that time, it has risen 28.41%. 

The fund tracks the performance of the S&P World Ex-Australia GARP Index.

The GARP acronym stands for Growth at a Reasonable Price (GARP).

Essentially, that means targeting companies with strong earnings growth, solid financial strength, and trading at reasonable valuations.

While the previous two funds mentioned are much more tightly focussed, this fund has 250 underlying holdings from across a variety of sectors. 

Essentially, it offers much better diversification than the previous two funds mentioned. 

A $10,000 investment at the opening of this fund would now be worth $12,841. 

The post Guess how much $10,000 in these ASX ETFs at inception would be worth today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.