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This week's highlights Japanese equities rallied last week and were among some of the best performers. BetaShares Japan ETF (Hedged) (HJPN) was up 4.8% for the week and ETFS Global Core Infrastructure ETF (CORE) up 4.5%. Australian based bank and property ETFs also had a strong week – QFN, VAP and SLF all up over the week. The poorest performers over the week were commodity ETFs and Gold Miner ETFs, which dipped after Gold recently hit an all-time high. GDX and ETPMAG were the worst performers for the week, down -5.9% and -5.7% respectively. Net inflows for the week were A$288m which comprised of inflows of A$357m and outflows of A$69m. The inflows were mostly seen across ETFS Physical Gold (GOLD), Cash and Fixed Income products. Outflows were most notable in iShares S&P/ASX 200 ETF (IOZ). The most-traded fund of the week was BBOZ followed by IOZ and GOLD. ETFS Physical Silver (ETPMAG) offers investors a simple, cost-efficient, and secure way to access silver by providing a return equivalent to the movements in the silver spot price. ETPMAG has returned 53.3% year-to-date and 57.8% over the past 12-months.

This week's highlights Equity markets moved higher across the board last week. Energy and resources sectors outperformed, with ETFS Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ACDC) returning 8.0% for the week. Resources funds OZR and QRE were the top performing domestic equity funds. Korea (IKO) and US small caps (IJR) also outperformed. Bearish funds BBUS, SNAS, BBOZ and BEAR were the week’s poorest performers, along with financial sector funds MVB, QFN and OZF. Precious metals accelerated upwards last week with gold breaching the US$2,000 mark for the first time. Other metals outperformed; ETFS Physical Silver (ETPMAG) returned 17.6% for the week, while ETFS Physical Platinum (ETPMPT) returned 8.1%. Diversified precious metals fund ETPMPM was also amongst the week’s top performers. Total reported flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $443m, while outflows totalled $168m. Cash fund AAA saw the biggest inflows for the week followed by MVW and QUAL. Domestic equity fund A200 and long US dollar fund USD saw the bulk of the week’s outflows. AAA was the most traded fund for the week, followed by BBOZ and GOLD. ETFS Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ACDC) offers investors exposure to global companies developing electro-chemical storage technology and mining companies producing battery-grade lithium. ACDC has returned 18.1% year-to-date and 32.6% over the past 12-months, significantly outperforming broader equity markets.

Finder.com investments editor Kylie Purcell explains the differences between ETFs and LICs. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) and listed investment companies (LICs) are both popular investment options within Australia. Although they share a number of similarities, there are also important differences to consider as an investor. We’ll look at some of the main differences between the pair to help you decide which is best for your portfolio. What is an ETF? An ETF is a type of investment fund that trades on a stock exchange – similarly to regular shares. ETFs invest in a basket of assets, such as stocks, commodities and bonds. ETFs will often track a particular market index such as the S&P/ASX 200. Rather than trying to outperform this index, these “passive” ETFs aim to closely mimic the index performance. This means your returns will rise and fall in line with the tracked index. What is a LIC? A LIC is a publicly listed company (hence the name, listed investment company) that operates like a managed fund. Like an ETF, LICs may invest in a variety of assets, including stocks, property and bonds. The main similarity is that both ETFs and LICs allow you to invest in a diversified portfolio. This may include a single asset class, such as stocks or bonds, or it could hold multiple assets. You also invest in a LIC in much the same way as an ETF – over a stock exchange. Unlike ETFs, LICs issue a fixed number of shares that investors can buy or sell on the stock market (usually the ASX). This means that the price of a LIC is partly determined by demand from investors and may not always be liquid. In some scenarios, an investor might be forced to sell their LIC shares at an undesirable price if there aren’t enough buyers in the market. On the other hand, ETFs are known as ‘open-ended’ investments, meaning the number of ETF units in circulation is not fixed. Instead, units can be issued and removed based on demand. This means that supply and demand have less of an impact on ETF prices than the underlying portfolio itself. What are the main differences between the ETFs and LICs? Structure A LIC is structured as a company, so if you decide to invest in a LIC, you’ll own shares in the LIC itself, rather than the underlying assets. An ETF, on the other hand, is a unit trust, which means you’ll receive units in the fund if you decide to invest. Strategy ETFs typically offer exposure to an entire market, region or market sector such as global health or technology stocks. They have the potential to track hundreds or even thousands of stocks. Although not always the case, most ETFs are passive investment products, meaning they either track an index or use filters to decide which stocks are included in the fund. LICs, on the other hand, actively select each individual asset to invest in. The LIC will have an investment team responsible for choosing and managing the company’s investments. Tax obligations Because an ETF is a unit trust, all tax obligations are passed on to investors. Any dividends and franking credits are passed directly to unitholders. With a LIC, all dividends are paid to the company and it’s at the discretion of management whether to pass on that income or reinvest the money back into the fund. If the LIC receives unfranked dividends from the underlying investments, it will typically pay tax on those dividends at the company tax rate and deliver franked dividends to shareholders. Cost ETFs are relatively cheap because they aim to track an index rather than outperform it. LICs tend to cost more because they have investment managers deciding which assets to invest in. If the manager outperforms the benchmark, this may result in additional fees. Both ETFs and LICs are an affordable way to invest in a wide asset pool. Management fees are generally lower than traditional managed funds (although these can differ depending on whether the fund is passively or actively managed). Both investment options offer high liquidity and provide access to a diverse range of assets in a single trade. Purchasing ETFs or LICs – or both – can be advantageous, but it’s important to understand how your money will be invested beforehand. One of the biggest factors for most investors is how aligned prices are with the underlying assets, i.e. the net asset value (NAV). Because ETFs have an open-ended structure, the price of the ETF will trade very closely to the NAV. So if the value of the stocks held by the ETF rise, the price of the ETF will rise with it. This is not always the case with LICs. They may trade at a premium (above) or discount (below) NAV, depending on how many buyers and sellers are trading LIC shares. So if stocks held by the LIC go up, but investors still aren’t willing to buy, its share price may not rise. More information about Finder. For information about ETF Securities range of products, please contact us or visit our product pages. Client Services Trading Phone +61 2 8311 3488 Email: infoAU@etfsecurities.com.au Phone +61 2 8311 3483 Email: primarymarkets@etfsecurities.com.au

The story of 5G is more than just an added boost to your phone and home wifi, it could transform the way we live and do business. From this perspective, it may form part of your clients’ growth investments now and into the future. What is 5G? Fifth generation wireless (5G) is a technology infrastructure system allowing communications and data access on-the-go, much in the same way that previous generations including the currently used 4G offered. While 5G was coming anyway, the COVID pandemic may see some companies accelerate their plans to access 5G-enabled technology, particularly automation, both as a safeguard against future lockdowns or simply to allow them to continue basic operations in the current environment1. Verizon estimates that “by 2035, 5G will enable $12.3 trillion of global economic output and support 22 million jobs worldwide”2. How to incorporate 5G exposure into your clients’ portfolios? In a typical investment portfolio, clients are highly likely to have some exposure to 5G already, in the form of telecommunications companies or companies which manufacture phones and other IT systems. However, it may be valuable to consider the broader 5G supply chain for a more diversified exposure. It extends from underlying technology suppliers and producers, such as companies like Qualcomm or National Instruments creating specialised chips and semi-conductors used in devices to create access to 5G, to companies creating technology and software for industrial automation, robotics and artificial intelligence which will advance substantially from the use of 5G, like Ocado or Daifuku. Much of the supply chain is dominated by robotics, automation and AI companies which is where an ETF like ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ASX code: ROBO) can assist with exposure to the 5G transformation. For more information on investing in 5G and ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ASX: ROBO), please contact us. Client Services Trading Phone +61 2 8311 3488 Email: sales@etfsecurities.com.au Phone +61 2 8311 3483 Email: capitalmarkets@etfsecurities.com.au [1] https://insights.roboglobal.com/as-the-covid-19-storm-rages-on-3-waves-of-growth-are-on-the-horizon [2] https://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/5G/how-5g-can-power-industrial-internet-things

5G is anticipated to transform the world, bringing new efficiencies and opportunities to how we live and work. For investors interested in incorporating this growth theme within their portfolios, the options are broader than simply telecommunications companies. What is 5G? Fifth generation wireless (5G) is a technology infrastructure system allowing communications and data access on-the-go, much in the same way that previous generations including the currently used 4G offered. It is anticipated to transform the ‘internet of things’ and become the force for the fourth industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution refers to how cyber physical systems are expected to drive the next era of industrial reform and change, bringing new efficiencies and opportunities to how we live and work1. Wireless networks are integrated into our lives and 5G sees that dependency increase further in the immediate future. It is already here in its early stages. While 5G was coming anyway, the COVID pandemic may see some companies accelerate their plans to access 5G-enabled technology, particularly automation, both as a safeguard against future lockdowns or simply to allow them to continue basic operations in the current environment2. How to invest in 5G There are a range of options to consider for investors keen to incorporate 5G within their investments. Three options are listed below. Broad investments across sectors given all companies will need to use 5G in some form at some stage, be it to conduct business operations or as part of their services. Sector investments such as via telecommunications companies which will be building the infrastructure to support 5G. Thematic investments covering the 5G supply chain. The supply chain extends from underlying technology suppliers and producers to companies creating technology and software for automation, robotics and artificial intelligence which will advance substantially from the use of 5G. Interested in accessing 5G exposure by using robotics, automation and artificial intelligence? Find out more about ETFS ROBO Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ASX code: ROBO) or contact us. Client Services Trading Phone +61 2 8311 3488 Email: sales@etfsecurities.com.au Phone +61 2 8311 3483 Email: primarymarkets@etfsecurities.com.au [1] https://www.hitechnectar.com/blogs/fourth-industrial-revolution-5g-future/ {2} https://insights.roboglobal.com/as-the-covid-19-storm-rages-on-3-waves-of-growth-are-on-the-horizon

This week's highlights Technology stocks led markets higher last week on strong earnings announcements. ETFS Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (LNAS) was the week’s top performing fund, returning 9.7%. CNEW, HACK, ASIA and NDQ were all amongst the top performers. The domestic market ended the week lower, with BBOZ also amongst the top performers. The week’s underperformers were mixed and included Japan funds (HJPN and IJP), battery tech and lithium fund ACDC, infrastructure (CORE) and biotechnology (CURE). Precious metals were mixed with gold and silver pushing higher and platinum and palladium declining. Silver continued its recent outperformance. ETPMAG was the top performing unleveraged fund for the week, returning 6.0% and has now returned in excess of 30% year-to-date. Gold moved to new all-time highs, ending the week above $US1,975/oz. Palladium fund ETPMPD fell 6.4% for the week. Total reported flows into domestically domiciled ETFs were $359m, while outflows totalled $86m. Cash fund AAA saw the biggest inflows for the week followed by GOLD and NDQ. Silver fund ETPMAG saw significantly above average inflows in-line with its recent performance. Broad domestic equity funds IOZ and STW saw the bulk of the week’s outflows. BBOZ was again the most traded fund for the week. GOLD saw above average volumes. ETFS Ultra Long Nasdaq 100 Hedge Fund (LNAS) provides geared exposure to the Nasdaq-100 Index and is AUD currency hedged. LNAS maintains exposure to the Index within a target range of 2x to 2.75x and is actively managed. LNAS returned 9.7% for the week in comparison to the Nasdaq-100 Total Return Index, which returned 4.05% in US dollar terms.