Horizons launches ETFs investing in lithium and hydrogen

Toronto-based Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc.’s product shelf is one step closer to looking like the periodic table of elements, as the firm aims to capitalize on demand for alternative energy.

On Wednesday, the firm announced the launch of new ETFs investing in lithium and hydrogen, the latest offerings in Horizons’ suite of alternative energy ETFs that also includes a fund offering exposure to uranium.

The Horizons Global Lithium Producers Index ETF aims to replicate the performance of the Solactive Global Lithium Producers Index, which includes companies involved in the mining and/or production of lithium, lithium compounds or lithium-related components.

Lithium is used in electric vehicle batteries and other forms of renewable energy storage. Demand for the metal is expected to surge in the years ahead, said Steve Hawkins, president and CEO of Horizons.

“By 2030, demand for lithium is expected to more than triple, in part due to the continued global transition to electric vehicles from traditional fossil fuel-based vehicles,” Hawkins said in a release.

The Horizons Global Hydrogen Index ETF aims to replicate the performance of the Solactive Global Hydrogen Industry Index, which offers exposure to companies involved in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, as well as companies involved in hydrogen infrastructure, extraction, storage and transportation.

Hydrogen fuel cells are two to three times as efficient as internal combustion engines, Horizons said in the release.

“While hydrogen is commonly seen as a ‘fuel of the future,’ the fact is that the future is already here: there are more than 40 hydrogen fuelling stations across the United States and that number is growing,” Hawkins said.

Both ETFs, which began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday, have a management fee of 0.75% and seek to hedge the U.S. dollar value of their portfolios to the Canadian dollar at all times.

“Together with our uranium ETF, we believe these new ETFs represent the best way for Canadians to harness the investment potential of alternative energies, which going forward are likely to increasingly replace traditional energy sources like oil and natural gas,” Hawkins said.

Staff

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