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Virgin Galactic’s Unity spacecraft is reaching space for the first time.
Source: Virgin Galactic
Ark Invest, which operates the world’s largest actively managed exchange-traded fund, plans to add a “space exploration ETF” under the symbol ARKX, according to a securities filing Wednesday.
Although ETF constituents have yet to be announced, shares of space companies Virgin Galactic and Maxar Technologies each jumped more than 8% after-hours.
Ark Invest is having a very successful 2020, with its flagship ARK Innovation fund which reported more than 170% last year and growth in assets under management to $ 17 billion. The fund’s largest stake is electric car maker Tesla, which accounts for more than 10% of its weighting.
Ark Founder and CEO Cathie Wood told CNBC last month that investors should “get on the right side of change and stay on the right side of change as it has reached flight speed following the coronavirus “. Wood, a longtime Tesla bull, has a stock price target of $ 7,000 the company is to meet by the end of 2024.
The space exploration ETF would focus on companies that “direct, facilitate, or benefit from technologically enabled products and / or services that occur beyond the Earth’s surface,” the file said.
The space industry grew steadily in 2020 despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as investment rebounded after a brief lull. Investor interest in space companies has continued at heightened levels, despite only a few publicly traded companies.
But more space companies plan to enter public markets in the coming year, with traditional IPOs and PSPC deals expected in 2021.
Ark has divided the industry into four categories: orbital aerospace, suborbital aerospace, enabling technologies and aerospace beneficiary.
“Space exploration is possible due to the convergence of a number of themes, and a space exploration company may not currently generate revenue, and there can be no assurance that this company will derive revenue from innovative technologies at the moment. ‘future,’ Ark said. .
Ark further explained the four categories of companies that will be part of the Space Exploration ETF:
“Orbital aerospace companies are companies that launch, manufacture, maintain or operate platforms in orbital space, including satellites and launchers. Suborbital aerospace companies are companies that launch, manufacture, maintain or operate platforms in suborbital space, including drone air taxis and electric aviation vehicles. Enabling Technologies Companies are companies that create the technologies necessary for the success of value-added aerospace operations, including artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, materials and energy storage. The companies that benefit from aerospace are companies that are expected to benefit from aerospace activities, including agriculture, internet access, global positioning system (GPS), construction and imagery. “
– CNBC’s Maggie Fitzgerald contributed to this report.
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