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  • Journey to the East: Unraveling KWEB's Tech Tapestry πŸ‰

Journey to the East: Unraveling KWEB's Tech Tapestry πŸ‰

Introducing KWEB: KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF

Hello ETF UNO enthusiasts! As we navigate the ever-shifting tides of the global economy, it's impossible to ignore a market as vast as China.πŸ‰

Though opinions differ on investing there, China's sheer economic heft as the world's second largest economy gives it an outsized role on the global stage. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the internet sector.

The Chinese Internet market is the largest in the world, with over 1 billion users. This provides a large and growing customer base for Chinese Internet companies. Chinese Internet companies are also benefiting from the increasing popularity of mobile Internet in China. This has led to the creation of a number of large Chinese Internet companies, such as Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu. These companies are comparable to US internet giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon.

Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu have been global giants in the internet market for many years

While risks exist, understanding this new frontier and how to access it is key for investors seeking emerging market exposure or high growth potential. Enter KWEB - the perfect vessel for accessing this tech frontier. 🚒 As we chart the course of this ETF across its origins, holdings, and opportunities, a world of potential awaits. Are you ready to set sail? The winds of change beckon. β›΅

What is KWEB?

Birthed in 2013, the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF πŸ“ˆ is your golden ticket to China's internet behemoths. KWEB is your gateway to over 30 influential tech stocks, hailing from the dragon land, that are leaving digital footprints on the global stage 🌏.

With assets dancing around the $5 billion mark πŸ’° and a substantial daily trade volume, KWEB has carved its niche among global tech ETFs. It started as a glimmer, reflecting China's digital rise 🌌, and has grown into a beacon guiding many to the eastern tech frontier.

πŸ₯’China's Burgeoning Internet Landscape

China's digital landscape is a cosmos of opportunity, home to over 1 billion Internet users - the largest single online market in the world. This vast and growing user base, dominated by digitally-savvy millennials, is propelling tremendous growth across e-commerce and internet services.

In 2022 alone, online spending in China accounted $1.9 trillion. With Internet penetration projected to hit 90% by 2025 (US reached 311 million people, a penetration rate of 93% in 2022), the runway is still long for Internet companies tapping this enormous potential.

Chinese Internet penetration (Source: Statista)

Formerly seen as copycats, Chinese internet giants like Tencent and Alibaba now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their US counterparts as pioneers shaping the future of tech and commerce. Alongside rising global stars like Pinduoduo (owner of TEMU), these innovators are capitalizing on China's embrace of mobile Internet and e-commerce to drive into the future.

For investors, the allure lies not just in the products these companies offer, but the sheer magnitude of their built-in consumer base. KWEB offers a front-row seat to this captivating growth story as it continues to rapidly unfold.

⬆️ Tomorrow's Titans - Shooting for the Stars

Rather than spotlighting Chinese internet giants like Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu that investors already know, let's shine the spotlight on start-ups and lesser-known rising stars within KWEB's portfolio that show immense promise.

  • 🍲 MEITUAN: often dubbed the 'Amazon of Services' in China, is a colossal tech platform specializing in on-demand services platform for food delivery, hotel booking, and more, which has rapidly become a ubiquitous part of daily life for millions of Chinese consumers.

  • πŸ“¦ PDD Holdings ADS Inc: a trailblazing e-commerce platform in China, known for its unique group-buying model and rapid rise in a market dominated by seasoned giants. As some of us may already know, it has been expanding aggressively in the global market with the brand TEMU. πŸ€‘ 

  • 🎞️ Kuaishou: a leading Chinese short-video and live streaming platform, often recognized as a formidable contender in the dynamic world of social media apps in China. It is the biggest competitor of Douyin (owner of Tiktok, the largest Unicorn, as we know, is not a public company yet) in the Chinese Internet market.

  • ✈️TRIP.COM: a premier Chinese travel services company providing comprehensive solutions for accommodations, transportation, and tour bookings, making it one of Asia's top online travel agencies.

  • 🏑 KE Holdings: KE Holdings operates Beike, a leading housing transactions and services platform reinventing how Chinese consumers buy and sell homes.

  • πŸŽ₯Bilibili: is a vibrant Chinese video-sharing platform celebrated for its focus on serving niche interests like anime, comics, and games, earning it a passionate community of over 200 million users, especially among Chinese Gen Z.

KWEB at a glance

Asset Class: Equity

Underlying Index: CSI Overseas China Internet Index

Geographical Focus: China

Sector Focus: Internet and Technology

Expense Ratio: 0.69% (as of last data point)

Dividend Yield: 0% πŸ€” (as of last data point) KWEB prioritizes future growth, reinvesting profits rather than offering dividends, consistent with its growth ETF approach.

Distribution Frequency: Annual

Historical Performance

Since its inception, KWEB has charted a course through peaks, valleys, and thrilling loops across the nascent landscape of China's internet industry. This ETF has not merely mirrored financial data - it has chronicled China's tech evolution and ascent on the digital global stage.

KWEB holders have experienced a front-row view of history, from the stratospheric rise of e-commerce titans like Alibaba to Tencent's messaging apps connecting millions. They've weathered unpredictable storms like shifting regulations, yet continue to bank on China's immense digital potential.

ETF Radar View

The radar chart below shows the general characteristics of the ETF:

KWEB on the Radar

For each domain, higher scores indicate better suitability for investment

Top 3 Reasons to Invest in KWEB

  1. Innovation Odyssey: Explore China's tech industry with KWEB and experience the digital creativity and innovation of the country's leading tech innovators.

  2. Titanic Consumer Terrain: China's market, anchored by its massive and dynamic population, offers vast potential for growth. Every trend in this realm holds the promise of monumental growth, and the consumer culture is resilient and deeply ingrained.

  3. Global Portfolio Panorama: Elevate your investment horizon with KWEB. It's transcending geographical limits and incorporating Eastern technological prowess into your tech portfolio.

Top 3 Reasons Not to Invest in KWEB

  1. Riding the Regulatory Rapids: China's shifting regulatory landscape injects uncertainty. Investors must strap in as rules continuously evolve around anticompetition, data security, and more.

  2. Cutthroat Competition: China's breakneck Internet arena is a bloodbath where today's winners can become tomorrow's ghosts. KWEB firms face ruthless domestic rivals and global mega-caps looking to tap the market. Survivors are never guaranteed.

  3. Turbulent Geopolitical Seas: As US-China tensions rise, KWEB firms may get caught in the undertow. Whether trade wars, technology Cold Wars, or shifting supply chains, these waters can turn choppy quickly. Policies like investment bans or sanctions could seriously capsize returns as we already saw.

Investing in China always comes with its own risks

Sailing the Digital Waves 🌊with KWEB πŸ–₯️

As we traverse the dynamic digital lands of China, KWEB emerges as a compelling vessel, charting waters that brim with promise and peril. It's a realm where ancient culture intertwines with futuristic ambitions, and KWEB stands as a testament to this duality.

However, as with all investments, the key lies in discernment. Whether KWEB aligns with your investment compass or not, understanding its vast landscape empowers you to make informed choices.

Here's to charting digital territories and unearthing treasures! πŸš€πŸ—ΊοΈ

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

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