The new Ark Space Exploration ETF prepares for takeoff — but is it worth the hype?

The newest ETF out of Ark Invest has piqued the interest of many market analysts.

Ark Investment Management is launching a space exploration ETF. But does it deserve the buzz? Here’s what we know about the fund and its potential competitors.

What we know about the Ark Space Exploration ETF (ARKX)

A new space exploration ETF is on the horizon: the Ark Space Exploration ETF. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) paperwork is underway and according to the filing, the fund will go live under the ticker symbol ARKX. No word yet on its official release date or accompanying expense ratio, but most Ark Invest funds carry an expense ratio of 0.75%.

The Ark Space Exploration ETF will invest in US and international stocks that contribute to space exploration, including companies that manufacture service rockets, satellites, drones, flying electric vehicles, and technology companies focused on artificial intelligence and energy storage.

Exchange-traded funds typically don’t make the headlines, but analysts are eager for the Ark Space Exploration ETF’s 2021 debut. Why? Well, the founding firm may have something to do with it.

Following its 2014 launch, Ark Investment Management captured the attention of investors with a solid lineup of successful funds. In fact, the firm’s top five funds have returned an average of 150% in 2020, according to Barron’s. And the firm’s founder and CEO, Cathie Wood, was named the best stock picker of 2020 by Bloomberg.

Space stocks: Industry at a glance

Electric vehicles may have dominated the stage in 2020, but analysts predict that 2021 will be the year for space stocks. With public interest in commercial spaceflight mounting and spaceflight technology becoming more sophisticated and accessible, this sector is well-positioned for growth.

In 2019, the global space economy was worth $423.8 billion, according to Statista. Government spending for the year amounted to 20% of the total global space economy, with the most sizable contributions coming from the US government. In 2020, NASA’s annual budget was $22.5 billion, dominating the $11 billion spent by China and the $6.7 billion spent by the European Space Agency.

Prominent stocks in this space include:

• Aerojet Rocketdyne (AJRD)
• Heico Corporation (HEI)
• Maxar Technologies (MAXR)
• Momentus (SRAC)
• Northrop Grumman (NOC)
• Teledyne Technologies (TYD)
• ViaSat, Inc (VSAT)
• Virgin Galactic (SPCE)

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Image: Getty

Originally published at https://www.finder.com on January 18, 2021.