ROBO-STOX Global Robotics And Automation ETF Achieves More Than $75 Million In Assets Under Management
Fund's Rapid Growth Could Suggest Strong Investor Interest in Robotics Sector's Accelerating Progress
DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2014 -- ROBO-STOX LLC, the world leader in developing investment solutions targeting the robotics and automation space, has announced that the ROBO-STOX™ Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (Ticker: ROBO) grew to more than $75 million in assets under management as of January 28, 2014.
The Fund became available to investors on NASDAQ through the Exchange-Traded Concepts platform on October 22, 2013, and as of February 4, 2014, the Fund's shares were trading at 2.8 percent above their $25 initial public offering. By comparison, the S&P 500 increased by .6 percent during the same period. Also as of February 4, 2014, the Fund's net asset value had risen by 2.12 percent since the IPO.
Calendar Quarter End as of 12/31:
Cumulative Since Inception*
Fund NAV
8.04%
Closing Price
9.32%
S&P 500 Index
6.40%
The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. *The inception date is 10/22/2013. The management fee is 0.95%. For performance data current to the most recent month end, please visit www.robostoxetfs.com. Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Market price returns are based upon the midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 4:00 PM Eastern time, and do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times.
The Fund's growth over the past three months potentially reflects the surge of Wall Street interest in the robotics and automation sector. Banks, brokerages and research institutions have highlighted robotics and advanced manufacturing as industries that are well-positioned for additional expansion. For example, Bank of America's U.S. Trust 2014 Investment Strategy Overview stated that the proliferation of robots will likely become further solidified this year. In addition, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's MIT Technology Review listed 3-D printing technology for automated precision manufacturing as one of the 10 breakthrough technologies of 2013.
"The past year was a breakout one for the robotics and automation sector as Wall Street and the wider investment community took notice of the industry's progress on a variety of fronts," said Rob Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of ROBO-STOX. "As more and more businesses around the world incorporate robots into their operations, investors can utilize our Fund to participate in the accelerating growth of this sector."
ROBO-STOX's ETF tracks the ROBO-STOX™ Global Robotics and Automation Index, the first benchmark index dedicated to following robotics and automation companies. The quarterly rebalanced composite includes 78 domestic and international robotics- and automation-related firms that meet the S&P DJI Global Broad Market Index's listing criteria. To mark the ETF's launch, ROBO-STOX teamed up with Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of industrial robots, to have a robot ring the closing bell at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York's Times Square on November 12, 2013.
"Robots have become more functionally advanced than ever before, and as a result, company executives in a variety of fields are realizing the long-term benefits of adding robots to their workforces," said Frank Tobe, Co-Founder of ROBO-STOX and Editor of The Robot Report, a robotics news portal tracking the worldwide business of robotics. "We believe robots will play a more influential role in the global marketplace as their capabilities continue to improve, and the rapid accumulation of assets in our Fund could indicate that many investors are keen to take advantage of this ongoing development."
ROBO-STOX recently published an original white paper, "The Investment Case for Robotics and Automation: A New Age of Automation," discussing how advancements in automated technology are transforming the worldwide economy. The white paper is available on the ROBO-STOX website (www.robostox.com).
For media inquiries about ROBO-STOX, please contact Greg Jawski at 646-922-7756 or gjawski@jcprinc.com.
About ROBO-STOX
ROBO-STOX LLC is the creator of the first benchmark index to track the global robotics and automation market. Through the expertise of its leadership team and strategic advisors, ROBO-STOX looks worldwide to find new innovations in the robotics space, from companies of all sizes and verticals, to deliver the growth of robotics to investors - from individuals to institutions.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ROBO-STOX is the recognized leader in developing investment solutions that target the robotics, automation and related technology sectors. To learn more about ROBO-STOX, obtain facts about the index and download pertinent information about the industry, please visit www.robostox.com.
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