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The Next Big Theme: February 2021

Feb 11, 2021

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The Next Big Theme: Thematic Newsletter Global X ETFs

Internet of Things

Surging Demand Sparks Semiconductor Sales Growth

Semiconductors are indispensable when it comes to the evolution of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing hardware, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and others. As these themes accelerate, so does the demand for semiconductors. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, an industry leader supplying the likes of Nvidia, recently announced that it expects $25-$28 billion in capital spending in 2021, representing at least 47% growth versus 2020.1 The announcement comes during a period of global semiconductor supply shortages. The shortages have forced many auto companies to halt or slow vehicle production. Semiconductors have become a necessity for the vehicle industry with the growing pervasiveness of electronic features such as Bluetooth connectivity, driver assist, navigation and hybrid electric systems. Beyond the automotive industry, Apple found itself needing to push its latest launch date back by months due to the shortage.2

Artificial Intelligence

Image Recognition Accuracy Recognizes a New Upper Bound

Google Brain research scientist Quoc Le has released a new milestone for ImageNet, a database used in visual object recognition. Image recognition technology has been paramount to the success of Artificial Intelligence (AI). A new semi-supervised learning method will allow an increase in the accuracy of the model to 90.2%, up 1.6% from previous limits.3 Image recognition technology continues to improve, pushing the boundaries of AI. For example, facial recognition has come to serve a new purpose within the “new normal” of face coverings amid the pandemic. Advanced facial recognition for people wearing masks has been developed at Japanese biometrics firm NEC Corporation with 99.9% accuracy.4 The technology allows safe entry and exit systems for companies, educational institutions, public facilities, commercial facilities, event venues and theme parks.

Cannabis

Arizona Expedites Cannabis Rollout

Less than three months since legalizing cannabis for adult recreational-use, Arizona is launching retail cannabis sales. More than 70 pre-existing dispensaries have been approved for immediate sales.5 This event marks the record for fastest turnaround from legalization to sales at the state level, with Nevada taking second place at eight months in 2016. Seventy-three of the seventy-nine medical cannabis dispensaries applied received the go-ahead for recreational sales with the rest expected to be approved shortly.6 Other states with legalized recreational-use have reported over triple the buyers in recreational-use stores rather than medical-use stores. CEO of four Sol Flower dispensaries in Phoenix, Arizona predicts that all dispensaries will want to partake in the growth opportunities.7

Video Games & Esports

Video Games Don’t Stop Even Amid Re-Opening Economies

Activision Blizzard’s franchise, Call of Duty, continues to show strong engagement even as we re-open our economies. Combined monthly active users (MAU) during December 2020 on Modern Warfare/Warzone and Black Ops Cold War totaled 66 million people across PC, console, and mobile.8 The figure easily exceeds the second closest video game, Minecraft, with a total MAU of 39 million. These numbers show that video game engagement remains at elevated levels, even beyond the stay-at-home economy experienced earlier in 2020. With new video game consoles continuing to hit the market, momentum may continue in 2021.

Wellness & Digital Health

Online Therapy Offers a Pandemic Coping Mechanism

Mental health is one area of medicine quickly transitioning to virtual care. In the stages before the pandemic, telepsychiatry was gaining traction but only adopted by a relatively small group of people. The trend is accelerating rapidly, however, with the American Psychiatric Association reported members utilizing tele-psych soared to 84.7% from just 2.1% prior to Covid-19.9 Although largely the result of unique circumstances, this transition has shown patients and providers the added benefits such as convenience, time, and costs, as well as and continual therapist-patient relationships.

Robotics

Robots Employed in the Battle Against Covid-19

COVID-19 poses risks to employee health who still need to conduct their work on-site. To combat these risks, many manufacturers are turning increasingly to robotics to limit human-to-human interactions. Companies order 9,972 robots in the fourth quarter up 64% year-over-year.10 Beyond the pandemic, manufacturers are becoming increasingly enamored with automation due to advancements in computer vision, mobility and end-of-arm tools for grabbing objects. With these advancements, robots can take on an increasing work-burden, such as handling upwards of 1,300 packages an hour at FedEx locations. Workers on the other hand are focusing on more complex tasks, such as correcting addresses and dealing with delays, resulting in greater robot vs. human specialization and reducing costs.11

THE NUMBERS

The following charts examine returns and sales growth expectations by theme, based on their corresponding ETFs.

INTRO TO THEMATIC INVESTING COURSE – ELIGIBLE FOR CE CREDIT

Global X has developed an interactive, self-guided Intro to Thematic Investing course, that is designed to share the latest ideas and best practices for incorporating thematic investing into a portfolio.

This program has been accepted for 1.0 hour of CE credit towards the CFP®, CIMA®, CIMC®, CPWA® or RMA certifications. To receive credit, course takers must submit accurate and complete information on the requested forms, complete the entire course, and receive a 70% or higher on the Intro to Thematic Investing Quiz.

For Canadian course takers: This program has been reviewed by FP Canada and qualifies for 1 FP Canada-Approved CE Credit, in the category of Product Knowledge, towards the CFP® certification or QAFP™ certification. To receive credit, course takers must submit accurate and complete information (including Job Title) on the requested forms, complete the entire course, and receive a 70% or higher on the Intro to Thematic Investing Quiz.

Questions on receiving CE credit may be sent to: Education@globalxetfs.com

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST RESEARCH FROM GLOBAL X

To learn more about the disruptive themes changing our world, read the latest research from Global X, including:

ETF HOLDINGS AND PERFORMANCE:

To see individual ETF holdings and current performance across the Global X Thematic Growth Suite, click the below links:

Category: Articles

Topics: Consumer Economy, Disruptive Technology, People & Environment, Technology

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Information Technology companies can be affected by rapid product obsolescence, and intense industry competition. Risks include disruption in service caused by hardware or software failure; interruptions or delays in service by third-parties; security breaches involving certain private, sensitive, proprietary and confidential information managed and transmitted; and privacy concerns and laws, evolving Internet regulation and other foreign or domestic regulations that may limit or otherwise affect the operations. Healthcare, Genomics, Biotechnology and Medical Device companies can be affected by government regulations, expiring patents, rapid product obsolescence, and intense industry competition. CleanTech Companies typically face intense competition, short product lifecycles and potentially rapid product obsolescence. These companies may be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and in the supply and demand of renewable energy, tax incentives, subsidies and other governmental regulations and policies. The risks related to investing social media companies include disruption in service caused by hardware or software failure, interruptions or delays in service by third-parties, security breaches involving certain private, sensitive, proprietary and confidential information managed and transmitted by social media companies, and privacy concerns and laws, evolving Internet regulation and other foreign or domestic regulations that may limit or otherwise affect the operations of such companies. There are additional risks associated with investing in lithium and the lithium mining industry.

Investments in the cannabis industry may be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting this industry. The cannabis industry is a very young, fast evolving industry with increased exposure to the risks associated with changes in applicable laws (including increased regulation, other rule changes, and related federal and state enforcement activities), as well as market developments, which may cause businesses to contract or close suddenly and negatively impact the value of securities held by the Fund. Cannabis Companies are subject to various laws and regulations that may differ at the state/local, federal and international level. These laws and regulations may significantly affect a Cannabis Company’s ability to secure financing and traditional banking services, impact the market for cannabis business sales and services, and set limitations on cannabis use, production, transportation, export and storage. The possession, use and importation of marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Federal law criminalizing the use of marijuana remains enforceable notwithstanding state laws that legalize its use for medicinal and recreational purposes. This conflict creates volatility and risk for all Cannabis Companies, and any stepped-up enforcement of marijuana laws by the federal government could adversely affect the value of investments.

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Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Beginning October 15, 2020, market price returns are based on the official closing price of an ETF share or, if the official closing price isn’t available, the midpoint between the national best bid and national best offer (“NBBO”) as of the time the ETF calculates current NAV per share. Prior to October 15, 2020, market price returns were based on the midpoint between the Bid and Ask price. NAVs are calculated using prices as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The returns shown do not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times.

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