Important Information
Investors should not base investment decisions on this content alone. Please refer to the Prospectus for details including product features and the risk factors. Investment involves risks. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. There is no guarantee of the repayment of the principal. Investors should note:
- Global X HSCEI Components Covered Call Active ETF (the “Fund”) aims to generate income by primarily investing in constituent equity securities in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (the “Reference Index” or the “HSCEI”) and selling (i.e. “writing”) call options on the Reference Index to receive payments of money from the purchaser of call options (i.e. “premium”).
- The objective of adopting a covered call strategy is to generate income and reduce potential loss against the downward market. Each time the Fund writes a HSCEI Call Option, the Fund receives a premium. If the value of the securities relating to the Reference Index held by the Fund declines, the premium that the Fund received for writing the HSCEI Call Option may reduce such loss to some extent. However, the downside of adopting a covered call strategy is that the Fund’s opportunity to profit from an increase in the level of the Reference Index is limited to the strike price of the HSCEI Call Options written, plus the premium received.
- The Fund is an ETF which adopts a covered call strategy by (i) investing in constituent equity securities in the Reference Index and the HSCEI ETF and long positions of HSCEI Futures, and (ii) writing call options on the Reference Index. The Fund is one of the first covered call ETFs in Hong Kong. Such novelty makes the Fund riskier than traditional ETFs investing in equity securities.
- The Fund employs an actively managed investment strategy. In addition to seeking to obtain exposure to the constituent equity securities in the Reference Index in substantially the same weightings as these securities have in the Reference Index through investing directly in constituent equity securities of the Reference Index and HSCEI ETF and long positions of HSCEI Futures, the Fund also writes call options on the Reference Index. The Fund may fail to meet its objective as a result of the implementation of investment process which may cause the Fund to underperform as compared to direct investments in the constituent equity securities of the Reference Index.
- The market value of a HSCEI Call Option may be affected by an array of factors including but not limited to supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the Reference Index in relation to the strike price of the HSCEI Call Options, the actual or perceived volatility of the Reference Index and the time remaining until the expiration date. The Fund’s ability to utilise HSCEI Call Options successfully will depend on the ability of the Manager to correctly predict future price fluctuations, which cannot be assured and are subject to market behaviour or unexpected events.
- If a HSCEI Call Option expires and if there is a decline in the market value of the Reference Index during the option period, the premiums received by the Fund from writing the HSCEI Call Options may not be sufficient to offset the loss realised.
- The Fund may write HSCEI Call Options over an exchange or in the OTC market. The HSCEI Call Options in the OTC markets may not be as liquid as exchange-listed options. There may be a limited number of counterparties which are willing to enter into HSCEI Call Options as purchasers or the Fund may find the terms of such counterparties to be less favorable than the terms available for listed options. Moreover, the SEHK may suspend the trading of options in volatile markets. If trading is suspended, the Fund may not be able to write HSCEI Call Options at times that may be desirable or advantageous to do so.
- The use of futures contracts involves risks that are potentially greater than the risks of investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. The risks include but not limited to market risk, volatility risk, leverage risk and negative roll yields and “contango” risk.
- Investing in HSCEI Futures and writing HSCEI Call Options generally involve the posting of margin. Additional funds may need to be posted as margin to meet margin calls based upon daily marking to market of the HSCEI Futures and the HSCEI Call Options. Increases in the amount of margin or similar payments may result in the need for the Fund to liquidate its investments at unfavourable prices in order to meet margin calls. If the Fund is unable to meet its investment objective as a result of margin requirements imposed by the HKFE, the Fund may experience significant losses.
- HSCEI Futures and HSCEI Call Options are registered, cleared and guaranteed by the HKFE Clearing Corporation. In the event of the bankruptcy of the clearing house, the Fund could be exposed to a risk of loss with respect to its assets that are posted as margin.
- The Fund is subject to concentration risk as a result of tracking the performance of a single geographical region or country (Mainland China). The Fund may likely be more volatile than a broad-based fund, such as a global equity fund, as it is more susceptible to fluctuations resulting from adverse conditions in Mainland China. In addition, to the extent that the constituent securities of the Reference Index are concentrated in Hong Kong listed Mainland securities of a particular sector or market, the investments of the Fund may be similarly concentrated. The value of the Fund may be more volatile than that of a fund having a more diverse portfolio of investments. The value of the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse conditions in such particular market/sector.
- The borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund may as a result suffer from a loss or delay when recovering the securities lent out. This may restrict the Fund’s ability in meeting delivery or payment obligations from redemption requests. As part of the securities lending transactions, there is a risk of shortfall of collateral value due to inaccurate pricing of the securities lent or change of value of securities lent. This may cause significant losses to the Fund.
- The base currency of the Fund is HKD but the class currencies of the Shares are in HKD, RMB and USD. The Net Asset Value of the Fund and its performance may be affected unfavourably by fluctuations in the exchange rates between these currencies and the base currency and by changes in exchange rate controls.
- Payments of distributions out of capital or effectively out of capital amounts to a return or withdrawal of part of an investor’s original investment or from any capital gains attributable to that original investment. Any such distributions may result in an immediate reduction in the Net Asset Value per Share of the Fund and will reduce the capital available for future investment.
- The trading price of the Fund unit (the “Unit”) on the SEHK is driven by market factors such as demand and supply of the Unit. Therefore, the Units may trade at a substantial premium or discount to the Fund’s net asset value.
- Global X HSI Components Covered Call Active ETF (the “Fund”) aims to generate income by primarily investing in constituent equity securities in the Hang Seng Index (the “Reference Index” or the “HSI”) and selling (i.e. “writing”) call options on the Reference Index to receive payments of money from the purchaser of call options (i.e. “premium”).
- The objective of adopting a covered call strategy is to generate income and reduce potential loss against the downward market. Each time the Fund writes a HSI Call Option, the Fund receives a premium. If the value of the securities relating to the Reference Index held by the Fund declines, the premium that the Fund received for writing the HSI Call Option may reduce such loss to some extent. However, the downside of adopting a covered call strategy is that the Fund’s opportunity to profit from an increase in the level of the Reference Index is limited to the strike price of the HSI Call Options written, plus the premium received.
- The Fund is an ETF which adopts a covered call strategy by (i) investing in constituent equity securities in the Reference Index and the HSI ETF and long positions of HSI Futures, and (ii) writing call options on the Reference Index. The Fund is one of the first covered call ETFs in Hong Kong. Such novelty makes the Fund riskier than traditional ETFs investing in equity securities.
- The Fund employs an actively managed investment strategy. In addition to seeking to obtain exposure to the constituent equity securities in the Reference Index in substantially the same weightings as these securities have in the Reference Index through investing directly in constituent equity securities of the Reference Index and HSI ETF and long positions of HSI Futures, the Fund also writes call options on the Reference Index. The Fund may fail to meet its objective as a result of the implementation of investment process which may cause the Fund to underperform as compared to direct investments in the constituent equity securities of the Reference Index.
- The market value of a HSI Call Option may be affected by an array of factors including but not limited to supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the Reference Index in relation to the strike price of the HSI Call Options, the actual or perceived volatility of the Reference Index and the time remaining until the expiration date. The Fund’s ability to utilise HSI Call Options successfully will depend on the ability of the Manager to correctly predict future price fluctuations, which cannot be assured and are subject to market behaviour or unexpected events.
- If a HSI Call Option expires and if there is a decline in the market value of the Reference Index during the option period, the premiums received by the Fund from writing the HSI Call Options may not be sufficient to offset the loss realised.
- The Fund may write HSI Call Options over an exchange or in the OTC market. The HSI Call Options in the OTC markets may not be as liquid as exchange-listed options. There may be a limited number of counterparties which are willing to enter into HSI Call Options as purchasers or the Fund may find the terms of such counterparties to be less favorable than the terms available for listed options. Moreover, the SEHK may suspend the trading of options in volatile markets. If trading is suspended, the Fund may not be able to write HSI Call Options at times that may be desirable or advantageous to do so.
- The use of futures contracts involves risks that are potentially greater than the risks of investing directly in securities and other more traditional assets. The risks include but not limited to market risk, volatility risk, leverage risk and negative roll yields and “contango” risk.
- Investing in HSI Futures and writing HSI Call Options generally involve the posting of margin. Additional funds may need to be posted as margin to meet margin calls based upon daily marking to market of the HSI Futures and the HSI Call Options. Increases in the amount of margin or similar payments may result in the need for the Fund to liquidate its investments at unfavourable prices in order to meet margin calls. If the Fund is unable to meet its investment objective as a result of margin requirements imposed by the HKFE, the Fund may experience significant losses.
- HSI Futures and HSI Call Options are registered, cleared and guaranteed by the HKFE Clearing Corporation. In the event of the bankruptcy of the clearing house, the Fund could be exposed to a risk of loss with respect to its assets that are posted as margin.
- To the extent that the constituent securities of the Reference Index are concentrated in Hong Kong listed securities of a particular sector or market, the investments of the Fund may be similarly concentrated. The value of the Fund may be more volatile than that of a fund having a more diverse portfolio of investments. The value of the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse conditions in such particular market/sector.
- The borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Fund may as a result suffer from a loss or delay when recovering the securities lent out. This may restrict the Fund’s ability in meeting delivery or payment obligations from redemption requests. As part of the securities lending transactions, there is a risk of shortfall of collateral value due to inaccurate pricing of the securities lent or change of value of securities lent. This may cause significant losses to the Fund.
- The base currency of the Fund is HKD but the class currencies of the Shares are in HKD, RMB and USD. The Net Asset Value of the Fund and its performance may be affected unfavourably by fluctuations in the exchange rates between these currencies and the base currency and by changes in exchange rate controls.
- Payments of distributions out of capital or effectively out of capital amounts to a return or withdrawal of part of an investor’s original investment or from any capital gains attributable to that original investment. Any such distributions may result in an immediate reduction in the Net Asset Value per Share of the Fund and will reduce the capital available for future investment.
- The trading price of the Fund unit (the “Unit”) on the SEHK is driven by market factors such as demand and supply of the Unit. Therefore, the Units may trade at a substantial premium or discount to the Fund’s net asset value.
Covered Call ETF 2024 Review
Distribution is not guaranteed. Distribution may be made out of capital. Positive yield does not mean positive return. Payments of distributions out of capital or effectively out of capital amounts to a return or withdrawal of part of an investor’s original investment or from any capital gains attributable to that original investment. Any such distributions may result in an immediate reduction in the Net Asset Value per Share of the Fund and will reduce the capital available for future investment.
A Volatile HK/China Market Bodes Well for Covered Call Strategy
Hong Kong market had a slow start in 2024 as concerns over macro recovery and weak property market linger. The market saw the first round of rally in April-May supported by a resilient economy (as evidenced by better than expected 1Q GDP), policy supports across macro, housing, and capital markets, as well as the low starting point for both valuation and investor positioning. But the sentiment subsided gradually due to weaker than expected economy recovery and policy implementations. Amid a tepid market environment, the forceful monetary and fiscal stimulus policies announced by central government since September spurred another round of market rally, with HSI/HSCEI returning over 18%/19% in September. However, the market returned to range-bound scenario as investors await further evidence on economic recovery and policy implementation. The volatile market is beneficial for covered call strategy as market fluctuation drives up option value, leading to higher option premium income for investors.
Monthly Income Distribution Since Launch: 3416 HK was launched on 29 February. The ETF delivers stable monthly distribution of HK$0.15/share since March. Average monthly distribution yield is 1.48% since launch. 9 months cumulative distribution yield amounted to 13% (Based on end-Nov NAV).1
Option Premium Rise in Tandem with Market Volatility: Monthly Option Premium Yield spiked up to 4.02%/3.73% in September/October due to increased China market volatility. Monthly option premium yield has been higher than distribution yield since launch, providing solid foundation for maintaining stable monthly distributions.
3416 HK Delivered Higher Total Compared to Peer ETFs1
Since launched in February, 3416 HK delivered higher total return (17.5%, Fig 3) than peer covered call ETFs, mainly attributable to higher dividend return (Fig 4) on the back of higher option premium yields (Fig 5). Hong Kong market continue to deliver higher volatility in 2024 (Fig 6), supporting higher option premium yield for Hong Kong based covered call strategy.
An Effective Strategy Amid Market Uncertainty
3416 HK underperformed its underlying HSCEI Index since launched, mainly due to the strong rally of China market in September 2024 (+20% for HSCEI in Sep). This is a known downside risk as covered call would be expected to underperform since its potential gain will be limited to the option premiums received. However, we continue to highlight covered call as a defensive income strategy as it helps investors to capitalize on market volatility through option premium income. Excluding September 2024 rally which we believe is a rare case in Hong Kong market, 3416 HK outperformed HSCEI Index on a total return basis.