U.S. Global Investors (NASDAQ:GROW) CEO Frank Holmes joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce the launch of the company’s first actively managed exchange-traded fund , the U.S. Global Technology and Aerospace & Defence ETF, trading under the symbol "WAR" on the New York Stock Exchange. This launch marks a significant milestone, building on the success of the company’s flagship U.S. Global Jets ETF, which has exceeded $1 billion in assets under management.
The WAR ETF aims to capitalize on the increasing global demand for advanced defence and protection technologies, providing investors with exposure to sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centers, cybersecurity, aerospace, and electronic warfare. Designed to address modern challenges and geopolitical risks, the WAR ETF applies a smart beta 2.0 investment strategy that integrates quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify opportunities for long-term growth while mitigating risk.
Holmes highlighted the growing urgency for defense-related investments, citing that global military expenditures reached a record-breaking $2.4 trillion in 2023, following nine consecutive years of growth. He emphasized that this trend is particularly evident in Europe, where EU member states collectively plan to spend €326 billion on aerospace and defence this year—an unprecedented 1.9% of the bloc's GDP. With its innovative approach and focus on high-growth industries, the WAR ETF seeks to offer investors diversified exposure to the critical technologies shaping the future of global defense and security.