The world’s obesity levels are still rising as 47% of the US population and 35% of England’s population are expected to be obese by 2030, says the National Health Survey.
In its bid to battle the crisis, the Obesity ETF (SLIM) has performed significantly well since its inception in 2016, producing returns of 4.3% over last week alone, according to data provider Ultumus.
SLIM is comprised of companies which “profit from servicing the obese” within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The companies focus on diseases associated with obesity such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease as well as companies which offer weight loss programs.
Last week's performance added to its net asset value’s climb of 36.3% in the two and a half years the ETF has been running.
The healthcare sector as a whole produced big returns last week as the ETFs rebounded from the week prior. News of Bernie Sanders’ ‘Medicare for all’ campaign had a negative impact on the ETFs as the products were the worst performing only two weeks ago.
The iShares Global Healthcare ETF, Invesco DWA Healthcare Momentum ETF and SPDR S&P Healthcare Services ETF were among the biggest returners last week, producing a NAV increase of 6.3%, 6.3% and 5.9%, respectively. The iShares US Healthcare Providers ETF was the only ETF to break the 7% barrier as its NAV jumped 7.2% in the same period.
