Promising Funds Handpicked by KB Asset Management for the First Quarter

Seven Funds Covering a Broad Spectrum from the AI Value Chain to Safe Assets
Simultaneously Managing Short-Term Volatility and Seeking Mid- to Long-Term Return Opportunities

KB Asset Management announced on January 5 that it has selected seven promising funds for the first quarter of 2026, taking into comprehensive consideration the global industrial restructuring, changes in monetary policy, and domestic policy trends.

KB Asset Management assessed that the market is entering an "era of earnings," where actual profit growth of companies will determine asset performance amid the current liquidity expansion phase driven by interest rate cuts. Accordingly, the company believes that a customized product lineup, both domestic and global, is necessary to achieve a balanced approach to growth and stability.

First, for growth theme strategy products, the company introduced "KB RISE Global AI Value Chain ETF Moa Dream," which invests across the entire artificial intelligence (AI) industry, and "KB US Leading Growth Stocks," which focuses on leading companies in the global technology sector.

This reflects the expectation that, as the AI industry undergoes a more thorough selection process this year, the structural growth potential of the AI value chain will extend beyond simple hardware to software and services.

"KB RISE Global AI Value Chain ETF Moa Dream" is an EMP fund that diversifies investments across sectors with proven growth and profitability throughout the AI lifecycle, including semiconductors, network infrastructure, software, and power infrastructure. "KB US Leading Growth Stocks" is considered attractive for investment because the competitive advantage of large-cap US growth stocks, especially global big tech companies with strong brand power and stable cash generation, is expected to continue.

In terms of domestic equity strategies, KB Asset Management emphasized the importance of focusing on the government's core industry development policies and the trend toward capital market advancement.

"KB New Korea" is a fund that concentrates on the six major advanced strategic industries driving Korea's new growth engines, such as AI, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and eco-friendly energy. With more structural growth opportunities arising from industrial policies and institutional changes, the fund is expected to become more attractive for mid- to long-term investment.

For products expected to benefit from domestic policy, two dividend strategy funds were proposed. With the implementation of separate taxation on dividend income this year, shareholder return policies at high-dividend companies are expected to become stronger. "KB Active Dividend," which invests in companies with aggressive dividend policies, and "KB Value Dividend 40," which combines bonds and dividend stocks to pursue a balance of income and growth, were highlighted as promising options.

For bond strategy products, "KB US Mid-Short Term Treasury" was recommended. This reflects the view that, as US interest rates enter a downward stabilization phase, the investment appeal of mid- and short-term treasuries is increasing. By investing in safe US Treasury assets to pursue stable interest income, this fund can be used to enhance portfolio stability in increasingly volatile market conditions.

Lastly, for asset allocation strategy products, the company introduced "KB Global Leading Asset Diversification." This fund seeks a balance between stability and growth by diversifying investments across major regions such as the United States, Europe, and emerging markets, based on the traditional asset allocation ratio of 60% equities and 40% bonds.

Jang Soonmo, Head of Product Strategy at KB Asset Management, stated, "In 2026, the differentiation of actual performance in the AI industry and the direction of global monetary policy will be key variables in the market," adding, "With our seven strategic funds, which combine both growth and stability, investors can manage short-term volatility while also seeking mid- to long-term return opportunities."