Kiwoom U.S. Oil and Energy Companies ETF hits 52.8B won in assets

Kiwoom Asset Management reported that its exchange-traded fund focused on U.S. energy companies, the KIWOOM U.S. Oil & Energy Companies ETF, has surpassed 52.8 billion won in net assets as of February 11, rising from 7.7 billion won at year’s end. The fund’s assets have climbed by about 45 billion won this year, with roughly 27 billion won added in the month after the late February U.S. strike on Iran.

According to data from FnGuide, the ETF’s year-to-date return as of February 11 stood at 25.81%, with a 1-month gain of 3.98%, 3-month gain of 21.56%, 6-month gain of 33.43%, and a 1-year return of 31.51%. These figures illustrate strong performance amid a rally in energy equities driven by shifting global supply dynamics.

The ETF invests in about 110 U.S. energy companies by market capitalization, providing broad exposure to the sector. Its top holdings are ExxonMobil (20.79%) and Chevron (14.17%), together comprising 34.96% of the portfolio. Other notable positions include ConocoPhillips (5.69%), Williams (3.51%), and Schlumberger (2.84%).

Kiwoom notes that the fund is a physical ETF, investing directly in U.S. energy stocks rather than oil futures. Because it holds actual equities, its performance reflects both energy company earnings and dividends, in addition to broader oil-price movements. The fund can be held in retirement accounts, making it accessible to long-term Korean investors seeking exposure to U.S. energy assets.

Oh Dong-jun, head of the ETF management team at Kiwoom, argued that volatility in the global energy market—driven by geopolitical risk and supply uncertainty—has increased the importance of American energy firms. He said such conditions can positively influence the stock prices of energy companies and, by extension, the ETFs that hold them.

For U.S. readers, the development matters because foreign demand for U.S. energy equities can influence the valuations of major American energy companies and related markets. A rising Seoul- and Asia-based interest in U.S. energy stocks can affect cross-border investment flows, pension fund allocations, and the broader perception of energy-sector resilience in a shifting global supply chain.

In practical terms, the fund offers international investors a direct, stock-based way to gain exposure to U.S. energy earnings and dividends, not just to oil prices. This distinction matters for portfolio construction and risk management, particularly as geopolitical events and energy demand patterns continue to shape commodity markets and corporate earnings in the sector.