ROBO Global Quarterly Review Q4 2020

The ROBO Global Innovation Indices ended 2020 with a bang, largely outperforming global equities.

The Robotics & Automation Index (ROBO) returned 45.3% for the year, the Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) increased 68.2%, and the Healthcare Technology & Innovation Index (HTEC) rose 66.6%. While the turbocharging of digitization trends will likely continue in 2021, we also expect a broadening of the economic recovery and with M&A accelerating, the setup for robotics, AI and healthcare technologies looks attractive. In this report, we discuss key trends and big movers across our index portfolios.

We believe our portfolios are well positioned to continue to outperform in this environment, with significant international, small and mid-cap exposure, and a high level of M&A activity. The ROBO strategies are specifically focused on technology disruptors that are positioned to gain share as the digitalization of the economy accelerates, many of which have been massive beneficiaries of this shift—especially companies in the areas of artificial intelligence, factory and logistics automation, enterprise software, and healthcare technologies.

How Vocera Replaces Chaos with Quiet in Hospitals

By Nina Deka, Senior Research Analyst, ROBO Global

ROBO Global Q3 2020 Review

The ROBO Global innovation indices posted double-digit returns in Q3, continuing to outperform global equities. This performance was due, in part, to the digitalization of the economy that has been turbocharged by the COVID-19 crisis. The Robotics & Automation Index (ROBO) returned 11%, the Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) increased 10%, and the Healthcare Technology & Innovation Index (HTEC) rose 14% for the quarter. Our strategies are focused on technology disruptors, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, factory and logistics automation, enterprise software, and healthcare technologies. In this report, we discuss key sector trends and big movers in each space.

EARNINGS REPORT: Q2 2020

In our latest report, our research team reviews earnings updates across our innovation indices with better than expected earnings results in 2Q20. We review both the fundamentals and areas of interest across robotics, AI and healthcare technology.

Genomic Advancements Are Advancing Early Cancer Detection

By: Nina Deka, Sr. Research Analyst

Amid the pandemic, ROBO Global offers a silver lining

By Richard Lightbound, ROBO Global

Fasten Your Seatbelts, It’s Wheels Up for On-demand Healthcare

During a time when other industries have been grounded, the telemedicine industry has taken off into the mainstream, fueled by the global health crisis. In an effort to assess the sustainability of this growth, we conducted a survey of 1,015 consumers across the U.S., at varying ages and income levels. As telemedicine emerges as one of the most transformative themes in healthcare tech today, we have identified multiple vectors that could further fuel growth for years to come, such as repeat visits, mental health, and chronic condition management. Telemedicine’s rapid growth is just one of many key contributors to the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index (HTEC) year-to-date outperformance of +5%, compared to global equities, down -12%.*

Investing Amid the Coronavirus Meltdown

In this exclusive report, ROBO Global advisor Louis-Vincent Gave, the founding partner and CEO of famed independent research firm Gavekal, discusses the perfect storm of three ongoing crises - the COVID-19 pandemic, energy solvency, and the liquidity crisis; and three resolutions. Investors should get ready for a world where interest rates stay very low for a very long time, where budget deficits go absolutely through the roof, and where the incentive of the average worker to go to work is muted by very generous government programs. In such a world, investing in the likely surge in robotics investments may not be a bad idea.

How COVID-19 Innovation Today Provides Investment Insight Into Tomorrow

In the last few weeks, over a dozen companies in the HTEC Index have stepped forward to provide life-saving solutions to combat coronavirus. These innovators are working round-the-clock to develop, obtain regulatory approvals, and launch products that for some, may not generate much profit. However, in doing so, all these companies are demonstrating their market leadership, ability to mobilize and innovate rapidly and scale for further innovation. We view these as positive leading indicators that reaffirm these companies’ long-term growth potential and fit in the HTEC strategy.

HTEC Index: Expecting a more mild impact from COVID-19

We conducted an in-depth analysis of our Healthcare Technology & Innovation Index (HTEC) to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HTEC’s portfolio companies. Our analysis indicates that although most companies will see a negative impact in the near term, 70% of the index should see a more rapid recovery. More importantly, in the long term we expect a net positive fundamental impact on HTEC, as 21% of the index operates in areas that could see incremental demand post-pandemic. In particular, we expect healthcare stakeholders to increase investment in areas such as telehealth, data analytics, genomics, and precision medicine to better leverage new technology and to better prepare for future outbreaks.