ROBO is designed to capture the return of robotics- and automation-related companies. The fund uses both qualitative and quantitative research to create a database of roughly 1,000 global companies that derive a portion of their business and revenue directly from the industry or a related sub-sector. Companies include firms providing devices or sensors for any type of robot, artificial intelligence, unmanned vehicles, 3D printers and navigation systems. The index selects between 65-200 stocks based on percent of revenue generated from the industry, growth potential, ESG criteria and market cap. The funds objective is to identify market leaders in the industry and/or those providing tech leadership through innovation. At each quarterly rebalance, the index allocates 40/60 between industry core and non-core stocks. Securities are equally weighted within their segment. Prior to September 25, 2015, the fund tracked the Robo-Stox Global Robotics and Automation Index.
