Exchange Traded Concepts Announces Launch of Hanwha Asset Management's PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) on the U.S. Market

Rhea-AI Summary

Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC) has launched the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) on the U.S. market in partnership with Hanwha Asset Management. The ETF aims to track the performance of companies in Korea's defense sector, mirroring the methodology of the PLUS K-Defense Fund already established in Korea.

The KDEF ETF focuses on a curated index of companies involved in defense manufacturing, technology, and services that are vital to national security and global competitiveness. This launch represents an expansion of Hanwha's existing defense sector ETF product into the U.S. market, providing American investors with direct exposure to Korea's defense industry through NYSE Arca.

Positive

• First Korean defense industry ETF launched in U.S. market
• Strategic expansion of existing successful Korean ETF product
• Listed on major exchange (NYSE Arca) providing strong market access

Negative

• None.

Insights

ETF Market Analyst

The launch of the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) marks a strategic expansion in thematic ETF offerings, providing U.S. investors with targeted exposure to South Korea's sophisticated defense sector. This development is particularly noteworthy given the current geopolitical landscape in East Asia and growing global defense spending trends.

The ETF's structure, mirroring an existing Korean fund, suggests a well-tested investment approach that has already demonstrated market viability in its home market. This parallel structure could provide advantages in terms of operational efficiency and market understanding. The listing on NYSE Arca ensures high visibility and liquidity for U.S. investors.

From a market perspective, this launch is well-timed. South Korea ranks as one of the world's leading defense exporters, with its defense industry experiencing substantial growth in recent years. The country's defense sector benefits from significant government support, advanced technological capabilities and increasing international defense contracts.

For investors, KDEF offers several distinctive features:

• Direct exposure to South Korea's defense innovation ecosystem
• Access to companies involved in critical defense technologies and manufacturing
• Potential portfolio diversification benefits through exposure to a specialized sector in an advanced Asian economy
• Institutional-grade investment vehicle with the liquidity advantages of NYSE Arca listing

The involvement of Exchange Traded Concepts, known for innovative ETF solutions and Hanwha Asset Management, a major Asian financial institution, adds credibility to this investment vehicle. This partnership structure suggests strong operational execution capabilities and deep market expertise.

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC), a leader in providing innovative ETF solutions, has announced the U.S. launch of Hanwha Asset Management's PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF). KDEF is designed to offer exposure to Korea's advanced defense sector, closely aligning with the PLUS K-Defense Fund in Korea by leveraging similar methodologies to provide seamless access for U.S. investors.

The KDEF ETF seeks to track the performance of companies driving Korea's defense innovations. The fund focuses on a carefully curated index of firms engaged in defense manufacturing, technology, and services critical to national security and global competitiveness.

"We are elated to partner with Hanwha Asset Management to bring the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) to the U.S. market," says J. Garrett Stevens CEO of Exchange Traded Concepts. "This launch represents an exciting expansion of Hanwha's Plus K-Defense ETF in the US. We are committed to helping innovative investment strategies reach new investors, and we're proud to support the introduction of KDEF."

"We are enthusiastic to introduce the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) to the U.S. market. Expanding on the foundation of our Plus K-Defense ETF listed in Korea, this launch represents an opportunity to provide U.S. investors with exposure to Korea's defense industry. We appreciate the support of Exchange Traded Concepts in bringing this ETF to the NYSE Arca", says Hanwha CEO, Kim Jong-ho.

About Exchange Traded Concepts (ETC)
Exchange Traded Concepts is an SEC-registered independent investment adviser that specializes in white-label ETFs and offers ETF services spanning ETF-in-a-Box and sub-advisory to fund marketing and consulting. ETC provides the trust, board, and decades of experience to offer asset managers (hedge, SMAs, mutual) and others an efficient, cost-effective means to leverage the benefits of the ETF wrapper. Learn more at exchangetradedconcepts.com.

About Hanwha Asset Management.
Hanwha Asset Management is a leading asset management firm in Korea, offering a comprehensive range of investment products across equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset strategies in both domestic and global markets. Guided by a customer-first philosophy, they are committed to delivering innovative investment solutions backed by best-in-class expertise, rigorous research, and robust risk management. In addition to fund management, their capabilities extend to product development, compliance, and market analysis, ensuring a comprehensive approach to asset management.

KDEF is now listed on the NYSE Arca and available for trading. For more information, visit www.plusetf.com.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please call 1-855-900-0030 or visit our website at www.plusetf.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing.

The Fund is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC serves as the investment advisor of the funds. Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC or any of its affiliates.

Risk Disclosures:

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee the Fund will achieve their stated objectives. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve the risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, differences in generally accepted accounting principles or social, economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. The Fund's concentration in an industry or sector can increase the impact of, and potential losses associated with, the risks from investing in those industries/sectors.

The Fund's concentration in a single country or a limited number of countries will increase the impact of, and potential losses associated with, the risks from investing in those countries.

The Fund is non-diversified. The Fund is new and has a limited operating history for investors to evaluate. A new and smaller fund may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility.

The Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies. Because the Fund's NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund's NAV could decline if currencies of the underlying securities depreciate against the U.S. dollar or if there are delays or limits on repatriation of such currencies. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably.

The Fund is a recently organized investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have no track record or history on which to base their investment decision. Moreover, investors will not be able to evaluate the Fund against one or more comparable funds on the basis of relative performance until the Funds has established a track record.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exchange-traded-concepts-announces-launch-of-hanwha-asset-managements-plus-korea-defense-industry-index-etf-kdef-on-the-us-market-302368927.html

SOURCE Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC

FAQ

What is the PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF)?

KDEF is an ETF launched by Exchange Traded Concepts and Hanwha Asset Management that tracks Korean defense sector companies, focusing on defense manufacturing, technology, and services.

Where is the KDEF ETF traded?

The KDEF ETF is traded on the NYSE Arca in the United States.

How does KDEF relate to the PLUS K-Defense Fund in Korea?

KDEF uses similar methodologies to the PLUS K-Defense Fund in Korea, providing U.S. investors with comparable exposure to Korea's defense sector.

What types of companies does the KDEF ETF track?

KDEF tracks companies involved in defense manufacturing, technology, and services that are critical to national security and global competitiveness in Korea.

When was KDEF launched in the U.S. market?

KDEF was launched on February 5, 2025, in the U.S. market.