The Robo-Stox Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF (NasdaqGM: ROBO), criticized as too much of a niche idea to prove popular with investors when it debuted in late 2013, is off 5% this year as industrial stocks and select corners of the technology space have struggled.
Heading into 2016, ROBO is not an ETF to be written, but it is a fund that requires a cautious approach. The once-far flung concept of robotics is gaining some momentum. For example, the International Federation of Robotics expects that worldwide sales of robots will rise by 6 percent between 2014 and 2016, and over 190,000 industrial robots will be supplied to companies around the globe in 2016, said Robo-Stox in the statement.
The tech sector could be turning around. As a growth-centric sector, the area typically leads during a market rally. Consequently, in the fourth quarter, technology stocks may see a boost as money managers shift money to winning stocks and away underperformers before the year-end.
“According to its report, KUKA AG have benefited from increased car sales in its three biggest markets, Western Europe, China and the U.S. Car sales in Western Europe, China and The U.S grew by 8.7%, 5.5% and 5% respectively for the first nine months in 2015. KUKA expects to benefit from further growth in these markets,” notes a Seeking Alpha analysis of ROBO. KUKA AG is one of the ETF’s holdings.
The Trade Weighted U.S. Dollar Index has increased 15% over the past year and is at its highest level in over 10 years, writes Karen Wallace for Morningstar.
Consequently, investors should be aware that the stronger dollar could affect company sales abroad, especially for large multinational companies with significant overseas exposure.
Historically, the industrial sector have rebounded in periods when the U.S. dollar depreciates. Consequently, this should suggests that industrials would be negatively correlated to the dollar. [Industrial ETFs Could Also Slip On Oil]
“I still cannot give this ETF my full endorsement as an investment as it is still overly exposed to riskier stocks as shown by the chart comparisons above. In addition, Morningstar rates this fund zero stars and has an F rating by ETF.com. The fund’s high expense ratio of 0.95% is an even bigger turnoff,” adds the Seeking Alpha piece on ROBO.
Robo-Stox Global Robotics & Automation Index ETF
