A slew of newer exchange traded funds offer investors exposure to new, revolutionary technology themes. That group includes the SPDR Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (NYSEArca: XKST).
XKST, which debuted in January, follows the Kensho Smart Transportation Index. That index “is designed to capture companies whose products and services are driving innovation behind smart transportation, which includes the areas of autonomous and connected vehicle technology, drones and drone technologies used for commercial and civilian applications, and advanced transportation tracking and transport optimization systems,” according to State Street.
The Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF follows companies whose products and services are driving innovation behind intelligent infrastructure, such as smart building infrastructure, smart power grids, intelligent transportation infrastructure, and intelligent water infrastructure.
XKST focuses on the future of transportation with exposure to over a dozen industry groups.
Examining XKST
“Technological innovation is ushering in a new era of transportation that is expected to move people and goods faster, cheaper and more efficiently using autonomous vehicles, mobility sharing and drones,” said State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) in a recent note.
XKST includes companies whose products and services are engaged in smart transportation, which includes the areas of autonomous and connected vehicle technology, drones and drone technologies used for commercial and civilian applications, and advanced transportation tracking and transport optimization systems. XKST may provide exposure to companies involved in the significant changes underway in how people and goods will be transported in the near future.
“One of XKST’s core holdings, which we’ve previously discussed on SPDR Blog, is Avis Budget Group,” said SSgA. “Avis may be a familiar name for traditional car rental, but it is included in the Smart Mobility fund because of its exposure to ride sharing and autonomous vehicles, which are expected to drive growth in the automotive industry. Avis owns ride-sharing service Zipcar, and has also agreed to provide maintenance service for Waymo’s (owned by Alphabet, the parent of Google) self-driving car fleet .”
XKST is up nearly 4% year-to-date. The ETF charges 0.45% per year, or $45 on a $10,000 investment.
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