What happened
Samsung Asset Management and NH-Amundi Asset Management are launching exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specifically themed around agentic AI in South Korea. The KODEX US Active is scheduled to list on October 13, while the HANARO US Agentic AI TOP2+ launched on September 15. Both products include specific index methodologies that allow for the rapid inclusion of Anthropic stock if the company completes its planned initial public offering (IPO) in mid-November.
Samsung Asset Management plans to list the KODEX US Active on October 13. This active ETF invests in U.S. companies expected to benefit from the spread of AI agents, using the Indxx US AI Agents Index as a . The fund's active structure allows the manager to add newly listed stocks, such as Anthropic, immediately at their discretion if the company goes public.
NH-Amundi Asset Management launched the HANARO US Agentic AI TOP2+ on September 15. This passive ETF holds 10 U.S. companies tied to agentic AI, with a concentrated strategy where the top two companies are weighted at 25% each. As of October 8, its holdings included Microsoft (23.59%), Alphabet Class A (21.65%), and Meta (11.16%). The index methodology allows for the special inclusion of newly listed companies like Anthropic without waiting for a regular rebalance.
The launch of these products coincides with reports that Anthropic is accelerating its IPO plans. According to Bloomberg, the company plans to hold an investor presentation on October 14 and begin marketing around November 9, with a goal to start trading before Thanksgiving on November 26. Both ETF managers have stated that Anthropic could be added to their portfolios if it meets eligibility requirements following an index committee review.
Source details: en.bloomingbit.io ↗
Why it matters
These launches signal a structural shift in the South Korean investment market, moving from passive index tracking to active management focused on the emerging agentic AI sector. The explicit provision to add Anthropic, a major private AI lab, to these public funds highlights the market's anticipation of the company's transition to public equity. This development provides retail and institutional investors in South Korea with direct exposure to the agentic AI infrastructure and model developers, linking the local ETF market's growth to the global AI industry's capitalization events.
The introduction of these ETFs reflects a broader market consensus that agentic AI represents a distinct investment theme from conversational AI. Analysts note that agentic AI systems can make decisions and carry out tasks, potentially translating computing power directly into revenue for infrastructure providers.
For South Korean investors, these funds offer a streamlined way to access the U.S. agentic AI ecosystem. The ability to quickly incorporate a major AI player like Anthropic into a publicly traded fund is a significant development, as it allows the market to price in the value of private AI companies once they list.
The timing of these launches, just ahead of Anthropic's expected IPO, suggests that asset managers are positioning their products to capture the anticipated liquidity and interest surrounding the event. This move underscores the growing integration of AI-specific themes into mainstream financial products in Asia.
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What to watch next
Investors should monitor the October 13 listing of the KODEX US Active and the subsequent performance of the HANARO US Agentic AI TOP2+. Additionally, the success of Anthropic's IPO in mid-November will determine whether these ETFs add the company to their portfolios, which could significantly alter their holdings and risk profiles.
The immediate performance of the KODEX US Active after its October 13 listing will indicate initial investor appetite for active agentic AI strategies in South Korea.
The outcome of Anthropic's IPO process, including its final valuation and trading debut, will be the primary catalyst for changes in the holdings of both the KODEX and HANARO ETFs.
Investors should also monitor the broader U.S. AI sector, as the ETFs' benchmarks and holdings are heavily weighted toward major tech firms like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta, which are key players in the agentic AI infrastructure.