[Second Half Investment Strategy] Keywords for 'Promising Funds and ETFs' Selected by Asset Management Experts

ETF Market Surpasses 150 Trillion... Increase in Product Types
"Overseas Focus on Semiconductors & AI, Domestic on Value-Up"
Growing Interest in Recently Launched Covered Calls

The exchange-traded fund (ETF) market has surpassed 150 trillion won this year, attracting increased interest from investors. As the market grows and various products emerge, investors' concerns inevitably increase. What are the promising ETFs and funds recommended by asset management companies for the second half of the year?

According to a survey conducted by Asia Economy among major domestic asset management companies such as Samsung, Mirae Asset, KB, Korea Investment, Shinhan, and Hanwha, the keywords for promising ETFs in the second half of the year are semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI·overseas), and value-up (domestic).

First, among overseas ETFs, semiconductors and AI are expected to be promising. Although some concerns have been raised about the peak of the leading stock Nvidia, many forecasts suggest that the upward trend will continue through this year. It is analyzed that there is no company yet that can replace Nvidia.

Related ETFs include KB Asset Management's Global Nuclear ETF. Since issues related to power supply shortages amid the AI revolution are expected to continue in the second half of the year, it is analyzed to remain promising. In addition, Korea Investment Management's 'ACE US Big Tech TOP7 Plus ETF,' Shinhan Asset Management's 'SOL US AI Software ETF,' and Hanwha Asset Management's 'ARIRANG Global HBM Semiconductor' are also cited as AI and semiconductor-related ETFs.

Along with this, covered call-related ETFs based on major overseas indices were also recommended. A covered call is a strategy where call options are sold at a somewhat high price while holding the underlying stock to stably hedge risks. When using this strategy, if the index tracked by the ETF falls, losses are offset by the premium received from selling the call options. Representative examples include Samsung Asset Management's 'Kodex US AI Tech TOP10 + 15% Premium' and Mirae Asset's 'TIGER US Nasdaq 100 + 15% Premium Ultra-Short Term.'

A Mirae Asset official explained, "'TIGER US Nasdaq 100 + 15% Premium Ultra-Short Term' is a product that simultaneously pursues the growth potential of Nasdaq 100 companies, which have trended upward in the long term, and a steady annual dividend of 15% using ultra-short-term options. Growth is expected in various sectors of Nasdaq 100 companies such as US semiconductors, IT, software, and bio, and demand for monthly dividend ETFs is also expected to steadily increase."

Domestically, value-up related ETFs were seen as promising. Representative examples are Korea Investment Management's 'ACE Shareholder Return Value Stock Active' and Shinhan Asset Management's 'SOL Financial Holding Plus High Dividend.' A Korea Investment Management official explained, "This ETF mainly invests in large-cap stocks with high value-up potential," adding, "An upward trend in related stocks is expected in the second half of the year due to government policies."

General public offering funds were similar to ETFs. They mainly recommended funds that pursue growth or can generate stable profits. Mirae Asset's 'Mirae Asset Core Tech' and KB Asset Management's 'KB US Representative Growth Stock' are representative. Mirae Asset Core Tech invests in Korea's leading IT sectors such as semiconductors and secondary batteries, while KB Asset Management's KB US Representative Growth Stock invests in leading US growth companies such as Nvidia, Apple, and Tesla.