ETF data and media house VettaFi has acquired the ROBO Global thematic index range tracked by more than $17bn ETF assets.
The indices included are:
ROBO Global Robotics & Automation index
ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence index
ROBO Global Healthcare Technology & Innovation index
There are 15 products globally that use the three benchmarks as their underlying including three ETFs issued by ROBO Global in the US.
In Europe, the $891m L&G ROBO Global Robotics and Automation UCITS ETF (ROBO), $294m L&G Artificial Intelligence UCITS ETF (AIAI) and $120m L&G Healthcare Breakthrough UCITS ETF (DOCT) have tracked the indices since 2014.
Brian Coco, head of index products at VettaFi, commented: “Whether the focus is on innovative thematic investment ideas, mega-trends, or broad equity exposures, we can provide asset managers with a complete range of indexing solutions.
“With the intellectual property and talent we have acquired through this deal, we are better equipped than ever to develop highly customized and differentiated indexing approaches.”
Travis Briggs, CEO of ROBO Global, added: “This suite of indexes was founded to capture the wide range of opportunities emerging in robotics, automation, AI and healthcare.
“Each of those categories is now far past the emerging stage, making the right benchmarks essential for both asset managers and investors.
“VettaFi’s focus on innovation is philosophically aligned with ours, and these indexes are a natural fit with the range of solutions VettaFi has on offer.”
The acquisition grows VettaFi’s offering to 164 indices including the Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend index and Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate index tracked by the Alerian Midstream Energy Dividend UCITS ETF and First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate UCITS ETF (DTRE), respectively, in Europe.
