ETFs allow investors a plethora of ways to express themselves while also pursuing performance. With each passing year, new ETFs arrive to help investors meet their personal and financial goals. The Defiance Autism Impact ETF (ASD) aims to invest in supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, while also providing some positive returns.

Key Takeaways:

• The autism research-focused ETF ASD has returned 10.3% since it launched on June 1.
• The strategy’s profits will all be donated to important causes tied to supporting people with autism for the first two years of operation.
• Its top holding returned 209% YTD as of the end of July.

ASD charges 79 basis points to track the VettaFi Autism Impact Index. That index provides an equal-weighted index approach to developed market companies in the space. Then, the ETF donates profits to organizations in autism research and care, as well as those who provide access to resources for autistic people.

See more: VettaFi’s Murphy Wins Bloomberg’s ETF IQ Challenge

The strategy takes that approach and provides investors with diversification across healthcare, behavioral services, assistive tech, and more. Its equal weighting helps it avoid overreliance on one firm or another. ASD will donate 100% of its net advisory profits for the first two years following launch, and no less than 50% after that.

Since launch, ASD has provided some solid performance. The autism research ETF has returned 10.3% since launch according to ETF Database data. That brings it close to the average for the ETF Database health & biotech equities category, which comes in at 14% for that time. Over the last month, meanwhile, the fund has outperformed that average.

ASD’s Contribution to Autism Research and Returns

Together, that puts ASD in an intriguing position. Its ability to perform makes it a worthy option for those who want exposure to such an important cause.

The fund’s top holding, Definium Therapeutics (DFTX), has returned a remarkable 209% YTD. That kind of performance can help investors diversify away from AI and do some good at the same time, with the autism research ETF an appealing fund to watch.

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VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for ASD for which it receives an index licensing fee. However, ASD is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of ASD.