Hanwha Asset Management announced on the 11th that it will list the PLUS US Quantum Computing TOP10 Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), which focuses on investing in 10 core companies in quantum computing, on the Korea Exchange.
PLUS US Quantum Computing TOP10 is an ETF that invests in 10 leading US companies in the quantum computing industry. It includes not only big tech companies driving industry growth through massive investments but also key pure quantum computing startups focused on core technology development. As of the listing date, the portfolio consists of 10 stocks: IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, Quantum Computing, IBM, Nvidia, Amazon, Honeywell International, Alphabet, and Microsoft. The underlying index is the ‘iSelect US Quantum Computing TOP10,’ and the management fee is 0.45% per annum.
It is important to note that the stock weights are determined by an adjusted equal-weight method. PLUS US Quantum Computing TOP10 applies an equal-weight approach but adjusts the weight of stocks with a market capitalization under $1 billion to half the weight of those with a market capitalization above $1 billion. This approach actively reflects the performance of smaller companies compared to a market-cap-weighted method while enhancing portfolio stability compared to a pure equal-weight method.
Quantum computing is gaining attention as a next-generation innovative technology that presents a new paradigm. Based on principles such as quantum superposition and entanglement, it processes calculations simultaneously that traditional computers had to handle sequentially, demonstrating revolutionary performance in speed and problem-solving capabilities.
A representative quantum computing company, IonQ, supports high-accuracy logical operations using ion trap technology, while D-Wave Quantum is noted for its quantum annealing-based quantum computing technology specialized in solving optimization problems. Honeywell International is expected to expand its business more intensively around high-performance quantum computers with 64-bit qubit capacity, as it prepares to spin off its aerospace division.
As technological advancements are expected to bring innovative changes to various industries such as cryptography and cybersecurity, drug development, optimization problem solving, and aerospace, global big tech companies are also dedicating efforts to developing related solutions.
Since the end of last year, the market has rapidly expanded as big tech companies succeeded in developing ‘quantum computer chips capable of efficient error correction.’ Representative examples include IBM’s ‘Quantum Heron,’ Google’s ‘Willow,’ Microsoft’s ‘Mayonara1,’ and Amazon’s ‘Ocelot.’ They are competing to develop cloud services that enhance infrastructure, software, and technology accessibility, maximizing the utility of quantum computers. Nvidia provides high-performance computing solutions integrating GPUs and quantum computers for researchers and enterprises. Amazon and Microsoft have expanded quantum computing services centered on their cloud platforms AWS (Amazon Web Service) and Azure Quantum, respectively, improving software and hardware accessibility.
Geum Jeong-seop, Head of the ETF Business Division at Hanwha Asset Management, said, “As the error issues that delayed the commercialization of quantum computers have become efficiently correctable, the global industry’s focus has shifted from ‘whether commercialization is possible’ to ‘when commercialization will fully begin.’”
He added, “With the leadership of big tech companies and the growth of pure quantum computing startups driving rapid ecosystem expansion, this product is one that investors seeking the ‘next AI’ should pay close attention to.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
