VanEck targets tech thematics with trifecta launch

VanEck is bringing three ETFs to life for local investors to access thematic investments across several emerging technology sectors, including what it says is "Australia's first dedicated quantum computing ETF."

The ETFs, flagged by Financial Standard last month, will be available on the ASX on August 6.

Investors will be able to invest in the VanEck Quantum ETF (ASX: QNTM); VanEck Global Semiconductor ETF (ASX: SMHG); and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ex China ETF (ASX: RESM). All three ETFs track indices from MarketVector.

QNTM will trace the MarketVector Quantum Computing Ecosystem Index, incurring management fees of 0.65% p.a., while SMHG will track the MarketVector Global Semiconductor Index, charging management fees of 0.35% p.a.

RESM incurs management fees of 0.59% p.a., tracking the MarketVector Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ex-China Index.

Commenting, VanEck chief executive and managing director for Asia Pacific Arian Neiron said the new ETFs will give Australian investors targeted exposure to the industries that are building out the infrastructure for future economies.

"The next generation of ETFs won't be defined by the themes they claim to capture, but by how precisely they capture them. Investors are after genuine exposure to the structural forces shaping tomorrow's economy rather than broad interpretations of a headline theme," Neiron said.

"AI has evolved from a software trend into one of the largest physical infrastructure investment cycles in history. It has become a global race for computing power, semiconductor capacity and secure access to the strategic materials that advanced technologies cannot function without.

"The next wave of value creation won't necessarily come from the companies making the headlines. It will come from the technologies and materials making those companies possible."

This launch builds on VanEck's global expertise across these sectors, including the operation and management of the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NYSE: SMH) and VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (NYSE: REMX).

VanEck also manages a UCITS quantum computing ETF in Europe, while QNTM will become Australia's first ETF dedicated to the global quantum computing ecosystem.

The trifecta launch also comes as Australia's ETF market enters a new phase of growth, with investors becoming increasingly selective about the ETFs they own, VanEck said, forecasting that the number of ASX-listed ETFs could reach 530 and industry assets exceed $400 billion by the end of 2026.