First Securities Investment Trust Co (FSITC, 第一金投信), the asset management arm of state-run First Financial Holding Co (第一金控), plans to launch the nation’s first robotics and automation fund next week to capitalize on the fast-growing industry.
“If you cannot beat the trend, join it,” FSITC chief investment officer Richard Kao (高子敬) told a news conference, referring to the much talked-about replacement of financial professionals by robot advisers.
The world’s robotics and automation sectors could see a 10.81 percent increase in profit this year, outperforming the estimated 0.19 percent growth for S&P 500 firms, the local fund house said, citing foreign researchers.
Together, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for companies in the robotics industry could jump 16.32 percent this year, compared with a 0.06 percent rise for S&P 500 peers, FSITC said.
EBITDA figures could stand at 10.44 percent next year and 8.85 percent in 2018, suggesting room for further growth, FSITC fund manager Kelvin Chen (陳世杰) said.
Robotics and automation could deepen presence in hospitals, manufacturing plants, home appliances and other aspects of life whether people like it or not, Chen said, adding that ever-changing technologies make their application more desirable and practical.
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海精密) and other local firms have taken part in the blue-ocean market, and the trend might stand the test of time and bad economy as the use of robotics can help lower production costs, Chen said.
The fund house plans to raise NT$4 billion (US$122.3 million), Chen said, adding that sales channels voiced keen interest in the new investment product.
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