Fidelity bulks up its 'disruptor' suite with 6 new thematic ETFs

Fidelity Investments is adding to its offerings of thematic strategies just as financial advisors are embracing the idea of helping clients target specific investing trends.

The asset manager has launched six new exchange-traded funds under its Disruptor series, pushing Fidelity’s actively managed ETF lineup to 15 funds with more than $1 billion in assets.

“Many advisors have told us that they have committed a single-digit percentage of client assets toward thematic ETFs that tap into long-term trends,” said Todd Rosenbluth, director of research at VettaFi.

“Such funds can complement core equity and fixed income ETFs in a broader portfolio,” he added. “With the expanded ETF product lineup, Fidelity has positioned itself to support the whole portfolio.”

The new ETFs, which will have total expense ratios of 50 basis points, include Fidelity Disruptive Automation (FBOT), Fidelity Disruptive Communications (FDCF), Fidelity Disruptive Finance (FDFF), Fidelity Disruptive Medicine (FMED), and Fidelity Disruptive Technology (FDTX). 

These funds are part of Fidelity’s thematic investment lineup, which includes areas such as disruption, megatrends and differentiated insights.

According to the announcement, Fidelity’s new ETFs are giving investors exposure to “long-term trends and themes that best align with their interests or objectives.”

Fidelity started its suite of disruptive ETFs in November 2022 when it announced plans to convert some mutual funds into transparent actively managed ETFs.

“The launch of these innovative, disruptive ETFs represents a significant milestone for Fidelity,” Greg Friedman, Fidelity’s head of ETF management and strategy, said in a statement.

“We’re building on our history of active management to grow our comprehensive lineup of active ETFs,” Friedman said. “We continue to see demand for thematic strategies as well as active ETFs to help meet investors’ evolving needs and their distinct financial goals.”