Which "Space Fund" Leads Returns?... Korea Investment Global Space Technology & Defense Fund Tops 3- and 6-Month Performance

No.1 among "space"-themed public funds (excluding ETFs)
Benefiting from developments such as the SpaceX–xAI merger

Korea Investment Management announced on February 5 that the "Korea Investment Global Space Technology & Defense Fund" ranked first in 3-month and 6-month returns among public funds of the same type (excluding ETFs). The fund is currently available for subscription through Korea Investment & Securities and Mirae Asset Securities.

According to FnGuide on February 5, the fund recorded 3-month and 6-month returns of 17.70% and 44.66%, respectively, ranking first in performance among public funds themed around "space" (based on UH-type A-e class). This significantly exceeds the average return of public funds of the same type over the same period, which stood at 8.56% and 27.18%. Since its launch in May 2023, the fund has posted a cumulative return of 216.73% (based on UH-type C-e class).

The Korea Investment Global Space Technology & Defense Fund is a product that invests in space-related companies, which are considered next-generation growth stocks. It invests in major companies within the global space industry, with key investment areas including space launch vehicles, the satellite industry, drones, and engineering. These areas are selected based on research conducted by global space industry research institutions.

As of January 27, based on the official website of Korea Investment Management, the main portfolio components in the fund include Rocket Lab (a satellite data analysis specialist and a strong player in the small launch vehicle market that is a powerful competitor to SpaceX), Planet Labs (a defense company that is expected to receive a 1 billion dollar investment from the U.S. Department of Defense), L3Harris Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, thereby building a "space value chain" portfolio.

The fund's lead portfolio manager, Kim Hyuntae, Head of the Global Quant Management Division at Korea Investment Management, is also the fund manager of the mega fund "Korea Investment Global AI & Semiconductor TOP10 Fund," which has net assets of 993.9 billion won. Kim stated, "Space technology is emerging as the next key trend in the stock market following artificial intelligence (AI), and interest in space companies is increasing, particularly in the United States, amid recent news about a potential SpaceX listing," adding, "These are private-sector-led space companies, distinct from traditional aviation or defense stocks."

He continued, "Since the advent of reusable launch vehicles, the number of satellite launches has increased dozens of times within just a few years, and on this technological foundation, explosive demand is arising for AI satellite data analysis, space data centers, and satellite-based missile defense systems." He added, "The Korea Investment Global Space Technology & Defense Fund is the only fund that invests in private space technology companies engaged in these new businesses, and having been launched in 2023, when the technological foundation was already in place, it has been delivering an excellent cumulative return."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.