U.S. Global Investors (NASDAQ:GROW) announced on Tuesday two developments in its exchange-traded fund (ETF) lineup. The GO GOLD and Precious Metals Miner ETF (GOAU) is transitioning from a passive index strategy to active management, while the Technology and Aerospace & Defense ETF (WAR) is marking its one-year anniversary.
The GOAU ETF’s shift comes amid a record-setting year for gold, with spot prices reaching $4,421 an ounce on December 22.
U.S. Global Investors said the move to active management will allow the fund to implement more selective security choices while continuing to follow its proprietary Smart Beta 2.0 investment framework. The fund will retain its name, ticker, and expense ratio.
CEO and Chief Investment Officer Frank Holmes stated that active management will enable the fund to manage risk and capitalize on opportunities in the gold and precious metals sector. “This approach leverages our decades of expertise in gold to deliver thoughtful, differentiated exposure for our shareholders,” Holmes said.
Meanwhile, the WAR ETF celebrates its first year of operation. The fund provides exposure to aerospace and defense, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and data centers.
According to the company, the strategy combines factor-based Smart Beta 2.0 selection with fundamental analysis to target companies expected to benefit from long-term trends in defense and technology.
Holmes noted that government spending in AI, cybersecurity, and related sectors has transformed the defense industry, and the WAR ETF was designed to reflect these developments.
“WAR was built for this environment,” Holmes said. “The strategy reflects our Smart Beta 2.0 philosophy, combining disciplined factor-based selection with fundamental insights, to seek exposure to companies aligned with the modernization of global defense infrastructure.”
According to the company, both of these milestones underline U.S. Global Investors’ focus on thematic investment strategies in sectors including gold, defense, technology, airlines, luxury goods, and commodities.
The firm highlighted its commitment to offering products designed to navigate market cycles and create long-term value for shareholders.