The artificial intelligence revolution is reshaping the ETF landscape, with Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) now dominating the single-stock ETF sector, previously led by Tesla Inc. (TSLA).
As the AI boom propels Nvidia to new heights, the company now represents over half of all assets in single-stock ETFs, surpassing $6 billion. In stark contrast, Tesla-centric funds have seen their share plummet to just a fifth of the sector, a significant drop from their two-thirds dominance last year, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bloomberg Intelligence data.
Investor Sentiment Shift
The shift reflects a change in investor sentiment. While Tesla enjoys a stock rebound, Nvidia's AI-driven growth has captivated day traders. Nvidia-focused ETFs have attracted $4.4 billion this year, a sixfold increase from 2023, whereas Tesla-focused ETFs have only seen $1 billion in inflows, down from $2.8 billion last year.
“NVDA funds have become more popular given investors’ focus on the AI theme and the stock’s strong outperformance,” noted Bram Kaplan of JPMorgan.
Rise of Single-Stock ETFs
Single-stock ETFs, launched two years ago, offer leveraged or inverse returns on individual companies. Currently, around 60 such funds are listed in the US, with total assets nearing $13 billion. These ETFs track major firms like Apple Inc. (AAPL), Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), but Nvidia’s meteoric rise has set it apart.
Regulatory Concerns and Market Risks
Regulators initially warned that single-stock ETFs posed a “particular risk” due to their appeal to retail traders. Despite their popularity, experts caution against long-term investment in these products. Amrita Nandakumar, president of Vident Asset Management, emphasizes the need for investor education: “Retail investors still do not fully understand how single-stock ETFs are designed to be utilized, namely for intraday use and not as part of a long-term investment strategy.”
Tesla’s Volatility vs. Nvidia’s Growth
Last year, Tesla-centric funds dominated single-stock ETF assets and trading volumes, driven by the stock's notorious volatility. Tesla’s 102% gain in 2023 followed a 65% drop the year before. However, this year’s focus has shifted to Nvidia and its AI-fueled ascent.
GraniteShares 2x Long NVDA Daily ETF (ticker NVDL), offering twice the daily return of Nvidia shares, exemplifies this trend. The fund's assets have surged from $210 million at the start of the year to nearly $5 billion, mirroring Nvidia’s 400% year-to-date rally. This ETF now ranks among the most-traded on a daily basis.
“If you love Nvidia, you’re going to love 2x Nvidia even more,” said GraniteShares founder and CEO Will Rhind on Bloomberg TV’s ETF IQ. “The whole conversation is dominated by Nvidia, and that’s why I think Nvidia is the most important stock in the world right now.”
Future Implications
Nvidia's dominance in the single-stock ETF space highlights the broader impact of the AI boom on financial markets. As investors chase AI-driven returns, Nvidia's growth story will likely continue to influence market dynamics and investment strategies.
