Samsung Active Asset Management Lists KoAct K Export Core Companies TOP30 ETF

Samsung Active Asset Management announced on July 8 that it will list the "KoAct K Export Core Companies TOP30 Active" ETF, the first in Korea to invest based on export and import data.

The KoAct K Export Core Companies TOP30 Active ETF proactively invests in companies experiencing significant export growth by utilizing year-over-year (YoY) increases in monthly export and import data, which is calculated at the beginning of each month. If a company’s annual growth rate continues to rise, there is a greater possibility that its performance will grow in the long term or that it will achieve a turnaround. The ETF identifies and invests in companies whose performance improves due to export revenue growth, and conversely, if export data begins to decline, it reduces investment or removes such companies from the portfolio.

The KoAct K Export Core Companies TOP30 Active ETF primarily invests in industries with global competitiveness, such as defense, shipbuilding, beauty and medical devices, cosmetics, nuclear power, and entertainment·media. These industries are aligned with government policies that aim to foster core export industries through the "K-Initiative." In fact, the government is targeting 50 trillion won in cultural exports by promoting the "K-Culture Global Branding" initiative, so these related industries are also expected to benefit from policy support.

Companies that achieve overseas sales growth or a significant increase in global recognition through intangible IP products and services, such as music or content that cannot be identified through export data, are also investment targets. Samsung Active Asset Management also utilizes data indicators from global platforms, such as Google Trends and YouTube traffic trends, as well as sales indicators from global platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop in the United States. There have been cases where a company’s product ranking surged in TikTok Shop brand trends, followed by a significant increase in exports and a performance surprise. Companies that see a sharp rise in YouTube views or rank among the top globally on music platforms are also identified as trends and proactively invested in.

The KoAct K Export Core Companies TOP30 Active ETF’s portfolio consists mainly of globally recognized and competitive companies, including Hanwha Aerospace (defense), Samyang Foods (Buldak Bokkeum Myeon), APR (Medicube), and HD Hyundai Electric (power equipment). It also invests in entertainment companies such as HYBE (BTS), represented by the global artist BTS, and Silicon Two, which is growing due to the rising popularity of K-beauty. The total management fee is 0.5% per year.

Kim Jooyeon, manager at Samsung Active Asset Management, stated, "We will proactively identify export growth stocks based on quantitative export and import data, and expand our investment scope to include related companies in music and media that cannot be quantified." Kim added, "By leveraging Samsung Active Asset Management’s robust corporate research and active management expertise, we aim to generate returns in excess of the benchmark index."