iShares Robotics and AI ETF IRBO vs. ROBO Global

When it comes to investing in the many technology themes we cover here on Nanalyze, we’re always quick to recommend that investors diversify instead of trying to find the next Microsoft. Oftentimes, that diversification comes in the form of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). The simple way to explain an ETF is that it’s like a mutual fund (basket of stocks) except with lower fees. ETFs also typically track an index, so you don’t have to worry about some overpaid fund manager underperforming the market and then taking your money anyway.

When it comes to ETFs, iShares is the king of ETF providers with more than 800 ETFs globally accounting for over $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM).

iShares is a subsidiary of Blackrock (BLK), the world’s largest asset manager with $6.3 trillion in AUM, and they have now decided to launch a fund that provides exposure to robotics and artificial intelligence. It’s called the iShares Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (IRBO), and it launched in July of this year having gathered a meager $10 million in assets so far. The impetus for this launch was likely the success that ROBO Global has had