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.

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.

As many investors are aware, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is highly concentrated on lower growth, blue-chip companies. 

In particular, financials and resource/mining companies dominate the economy. 

Conversely, Aussie tech only represents 3% of the weight of the ASX 200. 

However, over the next two years, the companies in the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) are expected to grow earnings above 25%. 

According to Betashares, this is projected to outpace the ASX 200 by three times. It is also projected to grow at a higher rate than the US IT sector. 

Aussie tech quietly growing

Many investors tend to look overseas to gain exposure to technology markets. 

However, domestically, Aussie tech companies are posting strong growth. 

According to Betashares, from the end of FY23 to FY25, earnings at the ASX 200 level fell 13%. 

This is in stark contrast to the remarkable growth experienced in the US, led by mega-cap technology companies.

However, this underwhelming headline for the ASX 200 perhaps hides the strong pockets of growth. 

The Australian Information Technology (IT) sector has achieved a higher rate of earnings growth than its S&P 500 counterpart over this same two-year period.

In FY25, the Australian IT sector grew earnings by a commendable 26.4%, trailing only the complementary Communication Services sector.

ASX ETFs to cash in

For investors bullish on adding a magnified exposure to these Australian tech companies, there is one focused ASX ETF to consider. 

Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC) provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail, and medical technology.

The fund includes 45 holdings, including ASX shares such as WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO), and Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

It has posted strong gains over the last year, rising more than 14%. 

For investors interested in more global tech exposure, other options include: 

• Morningstar Global Technology ETF (ASX: TECH) – Includes 40 global holdings positioned to benefit from the increased adoption of technology. 
• Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI) – 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.

The post Consider this ASX ETF to cash in on the growth of Aussie technology  appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

You might have exposure to some of the major blue-chip companies listed on the ASX. This could be a variety of the big banks, mining and materials stocks etc. 

You also know that a balanced portfolio includes stocks outside Australia. Based on this, you might have bought a fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX). 

This gives you exposure to sectors less common on the ASX like technology and healthcare, as well as big global companies like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). 

At this point, your portfolio is looking solid. 

Now you may be looking to add a small but concentrated investment in one specific sector. 

This is called thematic investing. Here are some growing themes you may be interested in targeting. 

Commodities 

Commodities are simply raw materials.

They can be precious metals like gold and silver or foodstuffs like corn and wheat and even energy resources like crude oil and natural gas.

This year, physical commodities like gold have far outpaced the returns of the ASX 200. The price of physical gold has risen more than 40%. 

This can be a strong investment for diversification because commodity prices can often move differently from share prices.

Gold has a long history of preserving its value, so investors flock to it when other financial markets get rocky. 

If you are interested in adding commodities like gold to your portfolio, some ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Global X Physical Gold (ASX: GOLD)
• BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: QAU)
• VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ASX: GDX)

Artificial Intelligence 

A growing theme that may interest investors is artificial intelligence.

According to Grand View Research, the global AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.1% from 2022 to 2030. 

AI stocks can be companies involved in chip making, software, or firms that utilise artificial intelligence in their applications.

Importantly, the ASX does not have as many AI focussed stocks as other markets. This can make AI ASX ETFs beneficial, as investors can gain exposure to innovative AI companies in the US, Asia and Europe. 

Some to consider for AI exposure include: 

• Global X AI Infrastructure ETF (ASX: AINF) 
• Global X Robo Global Robotics And Automation ETF (ASX: ROBO)
• Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

ESG ASX ETFs

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. It is a growing theme amongst investors to target not only financial growth, but simultaneously have a positive global impact through their investment choices.

As the name suggests, this may involve targeting companies committed to contributing to climate targets, supporting human rights etc. It can also involve actively excluding companies that contribute to violence, war, alcohol/tobacco manufacturing or negatively impacting the environment. 

If this sounds like a strategy you would like to include in your investment portfolio, some ASX ETFs to consider include: 

• Betashares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: FAIR)
• Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index Etf (ASX: VESG)
• BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: ETHI)
• Betashares Energy Transition Metals Etf (ASX: XMET)

The post Thematic ASX ETF investing ideas appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However as more and more funds become available, investors are able to tap into thematic funds.

These funds can follow niche markets that are linked to industries projected for growth. 

Now, there are plenty of funds that track artificial intelligence. This sector has grown rapidly in recent years and subsequently more and more investors may be looking to add exposure to their portfolios. 

Lets look at how three funds that focus on this theme have performed this year. 

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

This fund offers exposure to companies that potentially stand to benefit from the further development and utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their products and services.

It has been listed on the ASX for just over a year, but has climbed almost 30% in that time, including more than 8% YTD. 

It has 88 holdings at the time of writing, with 70% of those being from the United States. 

Ultimately, this fund is about pure-play AI and big data exposure.

It focuses on companies directly involved in:

• Machine learning
• Deep learning
• Natural language processing
• AI infrastructure (e.g. chipmakers)
• AI software platforms

According to the fund, the Artificial Intelligence market is projected to have an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2030) of 15.83%, resulting in a market volume of US$738.80bn by 2030. 

This fund is suited to investors looking to gain exposure to this growing industry. 

Global X Robo Global Robotics And Automation ETF (ASX: ROBO)

The Global X ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF seeks to invest in companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased adoption and utilisation of robotics and artificial intelligence. 

While this fund also offers exposure to AI, it offers a broader technology play than GXAI. It also has a more balanced geographical profile, while still having its largest exposure to US companies (43.9%). 

These companies are largely engaged in robotics, industrial automation, healthcare tech, and some AI. It also targets hardware and systems involved in automation.

It has already risen more than 7% in 2025 and roughly 20% in the last year. 

Betashares S&P/ASX Australian Technology ETF (ASX: ATEC)

As the name suggests, this fund is focussed on the Australian market rather than global. 

It provides exposure to 42 leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

It doesn't have a specific AI thematic focus. However several of its holdings are integrating AI into their products and services, providing indirect exposure. 

It has risen an impressive 10.92% YTD. 

The post Which AI focussed ASX ETF has performed the best this year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

AI: From Silicon Valley to your supermarket

This isn't just hype. The world's biggest companies are making AI a strategic priority and backing it with serious dollars.

Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) revealed capital expenditure will exceed US$30 billion on AI in the next fiscal year, with a major portion going toward AI infrastructure. Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: META) is going even bigger, forecasting over US$60 billion alone to power its AI ambitions.

Most of that capex is going into data centres, server farms, and specialised chips essential for training and running large AI models. Google parent Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) made it plain: its spending is "primarily" focused on supporting AI workloads.

These aren't one-off bets. This is long-term infrastructure, signalling that AI is not just a feature, but the foundation of what comes next.

And it's not just US tech giants. Right here in Australia, businesses from Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) to Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) are incorporating AI tools to improve operations, from customer experience in stores to medical imaging in hospitals. Governments, too, are investing in national AI strategies, recognising the competitive and economic stakes.

Why investors can't afford to ignore this

History tells us that missing a foundational technology shift—like the internet in the 1990s or smartphones in the 2010s—can mean missing out on the lion's share of market gains over the following decade. AI appears to be one of those rare shifts.

AI isn't just creating new winners; it's redefining entire industries. Healthcare, finance, logistics, media, defence, and even agriculture are being reshaped by predictive algorithms and natural language processing. With productivity and automation at stake, adoption is accelerating.

The risk, then, may not be in investing in AI but in being left behind.

How to gain exposure without picking winners

Of course, investing in cutting-edge tech companies comes with risk. Not every AI-focused business will succeed. That's why many investors choose a diversified approach through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

ETFs such as:

• BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)
  
• Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)
  
• Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG) – which includes heavyweights like Microsoft and Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA)
  

…allow investors to back the AI trend while spreading risk across a basket of global leaders.

These ETFs offer exposure to companies at the forefront of machine learning, automation, data analytics, and robotics—without having to bet on just one winner.

Foolish Thoughts

The AI boom may just be getting started. While no one can predict the future, we do know this: the businesses investing in AI today are shaping tomorrow's economy. For long-term investors, participating in that transformation — thoughtfully and with diversification — might just be one of the smartest moves of the decade.

The post Position your portfolio for the AI decade appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However some investors may not be aware, new funds can come onto the stock market from time to time. 

These may track a niche theme or sector. It can also occur when ASX providers want to challenge an existing fund. 

Global X is a global ETF issuer under Mirae Asset, and in Australia, it provides 45 ASX-listed ETFs, spanning commodities, thematic plays, income/sector strategies, and emerging tech exposures.

In the past year, ASX ETF provider Global X has listed several new funds.

Lets look at how two of their unique new funds have fared since inception. 

Global X Russell 200 ETF (ASX: RSSL)

This fund was first listed in February of this year, making it one of the newest ASX ETFs available. 

It offers investors exposure to US small-cap equities through the Russell 2000 RIC Capped Index. 

This index tracks approximately 2,000 companies that represent the smallest constituents of the Russell 3000 Index. 

According to Global X, by focusing on small caps, RSSL ETF enables investors to capture high-growth opportunities in early-stage companies while benefiting from a balanced and diversified approach.

With small-cap investing comes volatility, as many of these companies have less stability and lower liquidity. 

Unfortunately, since February the fund is down roughly 6%. 

Investors looking for similar funds that track US small-caps might consider: 

• iShares S&P Small-Cap ETF (ASX: IJR)
• Vanguard Msci International Small Index ETF (ASX: VISM)

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

This fund has just passed one year as an ASX ETF. 

It has had a very different result than RSSL. 

Since inception, the fund is up 26.35%. 

The fund 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.

At the time of writing, it is made up of 85 holdings. It has large exposure to US based companies (68.8% weighting) as well as China (8%) and South Korea (5.1%). 

No single company represents more than 3.77% of the fund. 

The fund may suit investors who want diversified exposure to global artificial intelligence companies across the entire value chain – from infrastructure and hardware to software and AI services. 

The post How are these new ASX ETFs performing since inception? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Jim Farley, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ford since 2020, delivered remarks about artificial intelligence at the Aspen Ideas Festival. 

Farley predicted that artificial intelligence could wipe out up to 50% of all white-collar jobs. 

Farley has become the latest high-profile executive to sound the alarm on how artificial intelligence advancements could impact the workforce. 

Last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy echoed a similar tone. He suggested the corporate workforce is likely to reduce thematically in the coming years. 

In a memo to employees, Jassy wrote:

We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today, and more people doing other types of jobs…It's hard to know exactly where this nets out over time, but in the next few years, we expect that this will reduce our total corporate workforce as we get efficiency gains from using AI extensively across the company.

What lies ahead?

Artificial intelligence is developing at a rapid pace. 

According to Grand View Research, the global artificial intelligence market was valued at US$279 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36% between 2025 to 2030. 

Grand View Research suggests, "The continuous research and innovation directed by tech giants are driving the adoption of advanced technologies in industry verticals, such as automotive, healthcare, retail, finance, and manufacturing."

Those in administrative roles are becoming increasingly concerned about being 'automated out' of their roles due to AI developments. However, with humanoid robotics gaining traction, other industries could be under threat, too.

How can investors prepare themselves?

While these developments threaten job security for many workers, they open a whole spectrum of opportunities for investors. 

To get ahead of the curve, investors should carefully consider artificial intelligence related opportunities. That is, companies that are likely to grow profit as a result of AI advancements. 

The most obvious stock pick is US-listed Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA). Nvidia has been at the forefront of the AI revolution over the past few years, designing and manufacturing graphics processing units (GPUs).  

However, beyond Nvidia and the other technology giants, there are opportunities in other sectors. 

For example, US listed Hims & Hers Health Inc. (NYSE: HIMS) is leveraging AI solutions with the goal of becoming the "Apple of healthcare". In May, the company appointed Mo Elshenawy to lead AI integration across diagnosis, treatment, and delivery. 

Of course, if investors want diversified exposure to AI-related stocks but don't want to pick a winner, the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI) is an option. For a management expense of 0.57%, the GXAI ETF invests in 85 companies that stand to benefit from the development and use of AI.

In the local market, ASX-listed NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT), Australia's leading independent data centre operator, could be well-positioned to benefit from AI adoption.

As reported by The Motley Fool's James Mickeboro, broker Morgans currently has a buy rating and $18.80 price target on its shares.

The post Ford CEO makes stunning prediction about artificial intelligence appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This strategy involves targeting one "theme" or sector that aligns with your values, or you anticipate to see growth. 

Essentially you can decide if there is a specific industry, technology, or emerging market that you want exposure to. 

One way to do this is through ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that group together companies within a theme or sector into one trade. 

Let's look at how some of these thematic ASX ETFs have performed this year. 

Vaneck Global Defence Etf (ASX: DFND)

One of the biggest winners for thematic investing this year has been in defensive shares. 

The Vaneck Global Defence Etf (ASX: DFND) is up 46.88% so far in 2025. 

It provides exposure to 29 global companies involved in aerospace & defence, research & consulting, application software and electronic equipment & instruments, that are typically under-represented in benchmarks.

Increased military and defence spending amongst global conflict has likely contributed to the rise of this fund. 

It could be ideal for those who anticipate further investment in this area internationally. 

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

As the name suggests, this ASX ETF provides exposure to companies that potentially stand to benefit from the further development and utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in their products and services. It also includes companies that provide hardware facilitating the use of AI for the analysis of big data.

The AI takeover was all the rage in 2024, which saw the technology sector perform extremely well. 

Momentum has seemingly slowed this year, as this fund is up just over 3% since the start of the year. However it remains up almost 20% over the last 12 months. 

This fund has 85 holdings at the time of writing, which is evenly distributed. No company within the fund makes up more than a 4% holding. 

This ASX ETF could be ideal for investors looking to add global AI companies to their portfolio. 

Betashares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: FAIR)

This ASX ETF is an example of impact investing. This is a responsible investment strategy that focuses on advancing particular social or ethical causes and generating financial returns.

Sometimes this is also referred to as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing. 

In the case of FAIR ETF, it includes Australian companies that have passed screens to exclude companies with direct or significant exposure to fossil fuels or engaged in activities deemed inconsistent with responsible investment considerations.

The fund's methodology also preferences companies classified as Sustainability Leaders based on their involvement in business activities aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This ASX ETF could be ideal for investors looking to invest ethically, rather than just for strictly financial gain. 

This year, FAIR ETF has brought solid returns, rising 5.72%. It is up more than 14% over the last 12 months. 

The post How have these thematic ASX ETFs performed in 2025? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For those looking to gain exposure to this powerful theme, a number of ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) provide targeted access to the world's leading innovators in AI, semiconductors, and next-gen internet companies.

Let's take a look at three top ASX ETFs that could suit investors aiming to ride the long-term tech wave. They are as follows:

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

The Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF offers a direct route to companies at the forefront of artificial intelligence development. This fund tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, which includes global leaders involved in machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

With AI adoption rapidly expanding across healthcare, finance, cybersecurity, and more, this ASX ETF captures a diverse group of businesses poised to benefit from this structural shift. The fund includes names such as Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), a dominant force in AI chips, and Palantir Technologies (NYSE: PLTR), known for its advanced analytics platforms.

Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

Another ASX ETF for investors to look at is the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF. This could be a top option for investors that want exposure to Asia's digital revolution. It provides access to 50 of the region's most powerful tech giants, spanning e-commerce, artificial intelligence, robotaxis, cloud computing, social media, and semiconductors.

This includes tech titans like Tencent Holdings (SEHK: 0700), TSMC (NYSE: TSM), and Samsung Electronics. These are companies deeply entrenched in AI, 5G, and consumer tech ecosystems.

Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG)

Finally, the Global X FANG+ ETF could be an ASX ETF for investors to look at this month.

Few groups have defined modern tech dominance like the FANG stocks—Facebook (Meta), Amazon, Netflix, and Google (Alphabet). This fund gives investors access to them and more.

The Global X FANG+ ETF tracks the NYSE FANG+ Index, which comprises ten of the most influential US-based technology and internet companies.

These are businesses with wide moats, global reach, and massive research and development budgets, often leading the charge in AI and digital services. While this ASX ETF may carry more volatility due to its concentrated nature, it offers pure exposure to some of the highest growth names in the market. And many of these are at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and the future of the internet.

The post The best ASX ETFs to ride the AI and tech megatrends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But since then, markets have staged a strong rebound — and few places has the recovery been more impressive than in the AI and technology sectors.

With AI stocks bouncing back and momentum building again, many investors are wondering: how to get exposure to the AI megatrend without picking individual stocks?

That's where exchange traded funds (ETFs) come in. Let's take a look at three ASX ETFs that could be a smart way to tap into the AI boom.

Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI)

For investors looking for pure-play exposure to the AI megatrend, the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF is worth considering. It offers access to a diversified portfolio of stocks driving AI development and adoption worldwide.

The GXAI ETF tracks the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index. This includes businesses developing AI software, AI-as-a-Service platforms, and the hardware powering AI and big data analytics.

This ASX ETF isn't limited by geography or sector, so it invests across the global AI value chain. Top holdings include big names like Alibaba, Tencent, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), and Palantir.

Global X notes that these companies appear well-placed to benefit from a market expected to expand from US$305 billion today to US$738 billion by 2030.

Global X Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SEMI)

AI can't function without the semiconductors that power it — and that's where the Global X Semiconductor ETF comes in.

This ASX ETF gives investors access to 30 of the largest semiconductor stocks globally. This includes Taiwan Semiconductor, NVIDIA, ASML, and Broadcom.

Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, from AI applications and cloud computing to consumer electronics and autonomous vehicles. As the demand for processing power grows, the semiconductor sector is expected to be a key beneficiary of the AI revolution.

Global X ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF (ASX: ROBO)

Finally, AI isn't just about software. It is also driving the physical world of robotics and automation, and that's the focus of the Global X ROBO Global Robotics & Automation ETF.

The ROBO ETF invests in a basket of global stocks across the robotics, automation, and AI value chain. These span industries like industrials, healthcare, and logistics.

Its holdings include names like Intuitive Surgical, FANUC, and Rockwell Automation. Global X highlights these companies are operating in a global robotics market that is forecast to grow from US$72 billion in 2022 to US$283 billion by 2032.

The post AI stocks have soared since the Liberation Day Dip. 3 ASX ETFs to gain exposure appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Releasing their numbers later this week are Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) —

These companies aren't just market heavyweights. They sit at the heart of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, shaping the future of technology and capturing enormous investor interest along the way.

Last week, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) released their results, while NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) — perhaps the biggest AI story of them all — is scheduled to report on 21 May.

With so much of the AI narrative intertwined with the performance and innovation of these giants, investors are understandably keen to position themselves ahead of what could be a major catalyst for the market.

If you're looking for an easy way to gain exposure to the artificial intelligence boom — including the Magnificent 7 — the Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI) could be a compelling option.

What is GXAI?

The Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF offers Australian investors a targeted way to invest in the companies leading the AI revolution.

This ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index, which focuses on companies that are either developing AI technology, using AI to enhance their products and services, or providing the hardware and infrastructure that powers AI systems.

It is a globally diversified fund that captures both familiar names and emerging players from around the world.

While GXAI's two largest holdings are Chinese tech titans Tencent and Alibaba, it also holds all members of the Magnificent 7 — meaning you gain exposure to Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Tesla, Alphabet, and NVIDIA in one simple trade.

Why consider GXAI now?

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic buzzword. Global X highlights that the AI market was forecast to reach US$305.90 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a staggering 15.83% annually to hit around US$738.80 billion by 2030.

AI is rapidly moving beyond data centres and into commercial applications across a range of industries, from agriculture to health care. The fund manager also notes that forecasts suggest that over 729 million people could be using AI tools by 2030 — a dramatic rise from just 254 million users in 2023.

Global X believes that this ASX ETF is particularly well-positioned to capture this growth because it takes an unconstrained approach. It doesn't limit itself to one sector or one geography. Instead, it invests wherever the best AI opportunities emerge, whether that's Silicon Valley, the Magnificent 7, China, or elsewhere.

By holding a basket of companies leading the AI charge, investors can spread their risk while staying directly exposed to one of the most transformative trends of our time.

The post Want to invest in artificial intelligence ahead of Magnificent 7 earnings reports this week? Check out this ASX ETF appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But let's talk about some ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that can say the same.

Alongside ASX 200 shares, there has been a huge swath of ETFs that have seen new 52-week highs this Thursday. We won't go over them all, but here are 12 of the most prominent funds to hit new high watermarks:

12 ASX ETFs at new 52-week highs today

Here are the 12 ETFs that have just clocked new 52-week highs this Thursday:

*at the time of writing

Why are these funds at new highs today?

As you can see above, we have a very healthy mix to discuss. Typically, when we see a bunch of ETFs hit new highs, they are correlated to a particular asset class or market.

When the US markets reach new records, for example, the funds that hold mostly or solely American stocks usually follow suit.

But today, it's different.

We have your standard ASX index funds like IOZ and ILC at new highs.

But we also have some thematic, global funds – HACK, ASIA, ROYL and GXAI – there too.

We have some index funds, too. IEU and F100 both track international markets, the United Kingdom and Europe, to be specific. It is interesting to note that the European markets are hitting new highs at the same time that the UK-based F100 is.

Here on the ASX, it's no surprise to see IOZ and ILC at new heights, given the new record that the ASX 200 Index hit this morning. That was helped enormously by Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)'s new record high itself, alongside multi-year highs for Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

So a great day for ETF owners. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

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The revelation earlier in the week that the Chinese AI program DeepSeek had been developed at a relatively low cost upended global markets. This, in turn, resulted in some dramatic share price movements.

Once again, the potential of this technology to change the world has been on full display.

Investing in AI remains difficult, though. As this technology is still very much in its infancy, it can be hard to know which companies will be the long-term winners of the AI revolution, and which might go the way of Netscape Navigator.

That's why I think the best ASX AI stock to invest $1,000 in right now is actually an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

A top ASX AI stock to buy with $1,000

The Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI) was only launched in April of last year. It offers investors access to a portfolio of global companies that potentially stand to benefit from the adoption of AI technology. As well as companies that make the chips and infrastructure that underpin it.

If you wish to invest in ASX AI stocks but don't know where to start, this company is a great choice, in my view. It offers exposure to a wide variety of companies in this endeavour. These range from Tesla, Qualcomm and Netflix to Oracle, Alibaba and NVIDIA. There are currently a total of 84 stocks in this ETF's portfolio. All have at least some form of exposure to AI.

This ETF isn't going to capture the full returns of the AI revolution's biggest winners. But I think it's a great way of harnessing at least some of the upside that AI is poised to bring to investors. Particularly for those who might not have a deep understanding of how AI technology operates.

As such, I think anyone wishing to inject some AI exposure into their ASX stock portfolios would do well to take a look at this ETF.

The Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF charges a management fee of 0.57% per annum. Since its inception last year, this ASX AI stock has delivered a performance of 21.9% (as of 31 December). Over the past five years, the index that this ETF tracks has returned an average of 20.7% per annum.

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Of course, there are experienced and knowledgeable experts who can beat the returns of global markets by buying and selling individual stocks. 

But for the average punter, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) will provide solid returns over the long term. 

As well as using ASX ETFs to track these historically 'safe' markets, ETFs are a great way to gain exposure to emerging sectors. 

Two that I am eyeing in the near future are the artificial intelligence (AI) and technology sectors. 

The tech and AI boom 

2024 was a monster year for what experts called "The AI Revolution." Overseas, stocks like Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) led the way as global demand and investment in AI rose. 

ASX tech stocks took the ride, with many experiencing massive returns. 

More importantly, experts are tipping this is just the beginning. 

According to global fund manager Blackrock, AI infrastructure investment could top US$700 billion by 2030, which is the equivalent of 2% of US GDP.

That's why I am looking for an ASX ETF that provides exposure to these companies.

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

RBTZ is an ASX ETF that aims to track the performance of global companies involved in the production or use of robotics and artificial intelligence products and services. 

When you think of "robotics", you might picture the movie versions such as Wall-E or the Terminator. But the reality of robotics and AI in 2025 is a little bit different. 

For example, the RBTZ fund's second-largest holding is Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG). It's an American biotechnology company that develops, manufactures, and markets robotic products designed for minimally invasive surgery. 

So when you think of robots, it's not necessarily Skynet T-1000. 

Since its initial listing in 2018, the ETF has grown 48.59%, but I believe there is room for a lot more upside in the long term as these industries blossom. 

Why I like this ETF

Picking which individual AI and tech companies will take off in the future is something of a fool's game. But with RBTZ, you can gain exposure to around 50 of the leading companies globally all at once. 

Furthermore, I like that the RBTZ has holdings across international markets. This is one key difference from similar ASX ETFs, such as Global X Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI), which is dominated by US holdings (more than 70%). 

RBTZ's largest holdings at the time of writing are: 

• Nvidia Corp: 13.2%
• Intuitive Surgical: 11.1%
• ABB Ltd: 9.2%
• Keyence Corp: 6.6%
• SMC Corp: 4.9% 

The country allocation is: 

• USA: 51.7%
• Japan: 26.2%
• Switzerland: 10.4%
• Finland: 2.1%
• South Korea: 2.0%
• China: 1.7%
• Other: 5.9%

The RBTZ ETF has a 12-month distribution yield of 4.6% and management fees of 0.57%. 

The post Why this artificial intelligence ASX ETF will be my next buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As one would expect, none of these ASX ETFs are the popular index funds that cover the Australian markets. But some are popular investments on the ASX nonetheless.

We're not going to cover all of the funds, but here are 10 of the hottest ASX ETFs that clocked new 52-week (or all-time) highs this Thursday:

Why are these ASX ETFs smashing new highs today?

As you can probably tell from their names, all of these ETFs are either gold funds or funds that hold mostly, if not absolutely, international shares.

International shares, particularly the American tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and Tesla, have had an extraordinary week of trading, capped off by some massive gains this morning on the US markets.

Take Tesla shares. They rose by almost 6% this morning to close at a previously unseen US$424.77 each. Google owner Alphabet and Amazon also hit record highs last night.

Some (or all, in some cases) of these stocks are among the largest holdings of the GXAI, NDQ, IOO, FANG, IVV, IBUY, ITEK, and VESG ETFs.

In terms of gold, it's not too surprising to see a fund like the Global X Physical Gold ETF hit a new high as well. The price of gold itself rose 1.5% overnight to US$2,751 per ounce – close to a record high. With the Aussie dollar so low, this was bound to result in some hefty gains for ASX gold ETFs today.

So, all in all, it was a great day for ASX exchange-traded funds of most stripes. Let's see how they end the trading week tomorrow.

The post 10 red-hot ASX ETFs that smashed new highs today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

One effective way to capitalise on this tech revolution is to invest in AI-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These funds offer a diversified entry point into a range of companies in the AI tech sector.

And by investing in ASX AI ETFs, you can participate in the growth of AI technologies while mitigating the risks associated with single-stock investments. Let's take a closer look.

What are ASX AI ETFs?

AI ETFs track the performance of ASX companies involved in AI research and development. There are a growing number listed on the ASX. Some of the most popular include:

• BetaShares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ) invests in companies involved with industrial robotics and automation, non-industrial robots, and autonomous vehicles.
• Global X ETF Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: GXAI) tracks the performance of the Indxx Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Index, which includes stocks like NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN).
• The Global X Semiconductors ETF (ASX: SEMI) provides exposure to the semiconductor industry, which is crucial to developing AI technologies. 

These ETFs track a broad variety of AI companies, including large and small-cap stocks. They also offer global exposure to various countries, such as the United States, China, and Europe.

Factors to consider when investing in ASX AI ETFs

Before you invest in an AI ETF, there are a few things to think about:

• Investment objectives: What are your investment objectives? Are you looking for long-term growth or short-term gains?
• Risk tolerance: How much risk are you willing to take? AI ETFs can be volatile, so it's essential to be comfortable with the level of risk involved.
• Fees: ETFs typically have lower fees than actively managed funds. However, it's important to compare the fees of different ETFs before you invest.
• Liquidity: This measures how easily an ETF can be bought and sold. ETFs with high liquidity are easier to trade.

Investing in the future 

Investing in ASX AI ETFs offers a strategic gateway into the rapidly evolving realm of artificial intelligence.

As the technological landscape continues to shift, ASX AI ETFs provide broad exposure to a dynamic sector without the concentrated risk of individual stock investments. 

Before committing capital, you should carefully evaluate your financial goals and risk tolerance, consider associated fees, and assess the liquidity of your chosen ETFs to ensure alignment with your investment strategy.

By doing so, you can position yourself to benefit from the technological advancements that AI promises, while navigating the inherent volatility of this transformative industry.

The post Future focus: How to diversify your portfolio with ASX AI ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.