Samsung Asset Management's KODEX Solid State Battery ESS TOP2 Plus Surpasses 200 Billion Won in Net Assets

Samsung Asset Management's exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on energy storage systems (ESS) and solid-state batteries has surpassed 200 billion won in net assets just four months after its listing, buoyed by inflows from individual investors.

On October 21, Samsung Asset Management announced that its KODEX Solid State Battery ESS TOP2 Plus ETF had surpassed 200 billion won in net assets. The milestone came four months after its listing on June 23, with net assets reaching 237.6 billion won as of the market close on October 20.

The ETF's performance was driven by strong net buying from individual investors. Cumulative net purchases by individuals since its listing totaled 75.4 billion won, with approximately 23.3 billion won flowing in over the past month alone. Its return over the past month was 11.99%, and its return over the past three months was 34.98%, placing it among the top-performing ETFs listed in Korea. In particular, its return since listing was 6.88%, ranking first among battery and materials-related ETFs listed in Korea. This reflects the combination of expanding orders for Korean ESS companies and rising expectations for the commercialization of solid-state batteries.

KODEX Solid State Battery ESS TOP2 Plus invests in both solid-state batteries and ESS, the two growth pillars of the battery industry. Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, reducing fire risks and increasing energy density, making them a next-generation battery technology. ESS are systems that store electricity generated and supply it when needed. Applications for solid-state batteries and ESS are steadily expanding beyond the industry's traditional focus on electric vehicles to include humanoid robots, urban air mobility (UAM), and aerospace.

The ETF allocates approximately 50% of its investments to LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, leaders in the solid-state battery and ESS sectors. LG Energy Solution is targeting the North American market by successively bringing ESS production facilities in the United States online. Samsung SDI is preparing to mass-produce a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based ESS product and solid-state batteries in the fourth quarter.

The remaining half is invested across companies in the value chains of these two growth areas. The ETF includes ESS value-chain companies such as Sangsin EDP, Seojin System, HANJUNG NCS, and SFA Nexel, as well as solid-state battery value-chain companies such as Isu Specialty Chemical, Daejoo Electronic Materials, Lotte Energy Materials, POSCO Future M, and L&F.

Shin Hyunjin, a manager at Samsung Asset Management, said, "Revenue from ESS is increasing as AI power infrastructure expands, while solid-state batteries are a field with promising growth ahead as mass-production schedules become more concrete. KODEX Solid State Battery ESS TOP2 Plus will be an effective way for investors to invest in both the battery industry's current opportunities and its future growth potential."

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