Thematic Investing

The world is in immediate need of vast amounts of data centers, chips and energy. Omar Moufti, Thematics & Sectors Product Strategist at BlackRock’s iShares, explains how to harness the upside from the infrastructure supporting the AI revolution.

Sparinvest and STOXX Ltd. today announced Sparinvest’s launch of an Exchange Traded Mutual Fund (the Fund) tracking the newly developed iSTOXX Europe Total Market Defense Enhanced Index.

Stocks jumped the most in 1½ years in May after the US and China agreed to pause import tariffs as both nations negotiate a reduction in trade costs. European stocks extended this year’s rally on expectations the region may be spared the worst effects of increased export duties to the US.

The new iShares fund offers precise exposure to European companies expected to benefit from the region’s historic ramp-up in military investments. The launch marks another collaboration in thematic ETFs between BlackRock and STOXX.

STOXX Ltd. today announced its expanding collaboration with BlackRock, with BlackRock’s launch of the iShares Europe Defence UCITS ETF (DFEU), which tracks the STOXX® Europe Targeted Defence index.

The index selects European companies from ICB’s Aerospace and Defense Sector that have revenues from specific defense activities, seeking a focused strategy on the military re-equipment theme.

A weaker US dollar helped stocks recover in April, but extended this year’s losses for euro-based investors.

Amundi, Europe’s leading asset manager , and STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, announce a new collaboration to provide investors with an Amundi ETF solution – co-designed by two major European players – focused on European strategic autonomy in the field of defense.

STOXX currently offers five indices targeting specific segments within the Artificial Intelligence theme. Ladi Williams, Head of Thematics & Strategy, Index Product Management at STOXX, discusses in an interview with Asset TV the construction of indices covering such a vast and complex theme.

Stocks had their worst month since September 2023 in March, as investors fretted about the outlook for US economic growth, inflation and international trade. US stocks paced the retreat.

An ISS ESG net-zero scenario alignment assessment shows the STOXX Global Artificial Intelligence index largely overshoots the IEA’s carbon emissions budget by 2050. Yet, that is not far from the case for the broader equities market, and technology advancements may help change the situation in coming years.

Ladi Williams, Head of Thematics and Strategy Index Product Management at STOXX, talks to ETF Stream about the STOXX index suite targeting the artificial intelligence theme.