These ETFs use a ‘black box’ to pick stocks

Article Excerpt

Some ETF managers were quick to establish ETFs that benefit from changes in consumer behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a look at two of them: The DIREXION WORK FROM HOME ETF $56.36 (New York symbol WFH) aims to provide investors with diversified exposure to firms involved in cloud technologies, cybersecurity, online project coordination, document management, and remote communications. These companies can be located anywhere in the world, but over 90% of the portfolio is currently invested in U.S. stocks. The fund tracks the Solactive Remote Work Index. Solactive selects companies for inclusion in the index by using ARTIS, its exclusive natural language processing algorithm. It uses key words to evaluate large volumes of publicly available information, such as annual reports, business descriptions and financial news. The fund launched in June 2020, and charges a management fee of 0.45%. Its asset base is now $21.8 million. Its top holdings include Twilio (software), Inseego (communications and networks), Crowdstrike (cybersecurity), Zoom (communications), Plantronics (communications), Okta (software), Ping (IT services) and Elastic (software). The DIREXION CONNECTED…