The ASX and Cboe Australia have seen 24 new ETFs land in the first five months of 2026, covering everything from space infrastructure to humanoid robots to copper miners. Tash and Ana run through what's launched, decode the jargon, and share their honest track record with thematic funds (spoiler: Tash's crypto ETF didn't go well). Plus travel money wins, including $60 resort day passes and airport day rooms.
In this episode we'll discuss:
💸 ETF basics refreshed: the chocolate-box analogy, plus quick explainers on MERs, active funds, hedging and thematic ETFs
💸 Australia's first dedicated space ETF, launched on the back of the SpaceX IPO hype, and what's actually inside it
💸 The humanoid robotics fund: how it differs from broad AI and tech ETFs, and why the hosts are happy for robots to do the laundry but not the art
💸 A fixed-term bond ETF with a 2031 maturity date, and who a set end date might suit (think approaching retirement or FIRE)
💸 Vanguard's launch spree: a new S&P 500 fund at 0.07%, hedged variants, global tech, and what currency hedging actually does to your returns
💸 The new actively managed all-in-one range, including allocations to infrastructure and gold, and how that differs from the index-tracking diversified ETFs most people know
💸 Single-commodity funds for silver, lithium and copper, and the gold bar versus gold ETF debate (Ana wants the bar, Tash doesn't trust herself on the tram with it)
💸 The honest thematic talk: concentrated holdings, higher fees, Tash's losses on crypto and clean-tech funds, and why both hosts keep the core of their portfolios boring
The takeaway: flashy tickers are fun, but look under the hood at the actual holdings, keep thematics to a small slice if you use them at all, and let boring index funds do the heavy lifting. Nothing here is a recommendation.
Disclaimer Any advice is general and does not consider your financial situation needs, or objectives, so consider whether it’s appropriate for you. You should also consider seeking professional advice before making any financial decision.
Tash Invests Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative #1317713 of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd. Read the FSG available from https://tashinvests.com/links
Pearler is an Authorised Representative #1281540 of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd AFSL #337927. Read the FSG available from https://pearler.com/financial-services-guide
If you are considering any of the products we spoke about during the show, be sure to read the Product Disclosure Statement & Target Market Determination available from the product issuer’s website before deciding.
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