**’KoAct U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure’ ETF Localization**
Samsung Active Asset Management announced on the 21st that it has exported its thematic active ETF management strategy, focused on natural gas infrastructure, to the U.S. ETF market for the first time.
Samsung Asset Management’s strategic partner, the U.S. ETF management company Amplify, announced on the 20th (local time) that it listed the “Amplify U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF,” ticker symbol USNG, on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Samsung Asset Management’s New York branch will handle operations locally in the U.S., while Samsung Active Asset Management will be responsible for portfolio advisory and research.
The USNG is a localized version of the ‘KoAct U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure Active’ ETF, which Samsung Active Asset Management launched in the domestic market last December. This ETF invests across the entire value chain of the U.S. natural gas industry. It also seeks stable dividend income. Samsung Asset Management highlighted that it is the first ETF in the U.S. to focus on the entire natural gas infrastructure value chain, differentiating it from the existing energy infrastructure ETFs listed in the U.S.
Currently, there are about 15 energy infrastructure-related ETFs listed in the U.S. market, but none are specialized in natural gas. With the Trump administration continuing its policy of deregulation, the expansion of natural gas infrastructure is expected to accelerate.
Jiwoon Kim, head of the KoAct ETF management division, stated, “Introducing the first natural gas-themed ETF product locally by quickly recognizing the importance of natural gas in the U.S. is a significant achievement,” and added, “Considering the steady growth expected in the U.S. natural gas industry, investing in the ‘KoAct U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure Active’ through retirement pensions is worth considering.”
Eugene Hwan, executive director of Global Product Strategy at Samsung Asset Management, mentioned, “Amid the changing U.S. energy strategy and the trend of expanding infrastructure investments, we have identified new investment opportunities through our New York branch and developed them into products locally in the U.S.,” and continued, “We will continue to strive to make Samsung Kodex and KoAct icons of innovation, with differentiated ideas and our capabilities in the global ETF business.”