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What Is the DRGN ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs

Updated August 17, 2026 · First published August 17, 2026

The Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (DRGN) is a passive product focused on Chinese companies tied to generative AI. We examine its tracking of the Beta China Generative AI Select Index, its annual distribution schedule, and the thematic exposure it offers, along with the outlook and volatility drivers for the China tech theme.

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What Is the Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF?

The DRGN ETF tracks the Beta China Generative Artificial Intelligence Select Index and is designed to provide exposure to Chinese-listed companies that derive revenue from generative AI model development and services, computing infrastructure, and related hardware activities.

It offers selective access to the generative AI theme within China's technology industry and is suited to investors who can accept elevated volatility along with country-specific risk factors.

The fund is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by Themes ETF.

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How to Invest in the Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF

ItemDetails
Tracking IndexBeta China Generative Artificial Intelligence Select Index
Management StylePassive index tracking
Rebalancing FrequencyQuarterly
Distribution ScheduleAnnual distribution
Total Expense Ratio0.39%
Fund ManagerThemes ETF

The product screens for China-related companies with a direct business link to generative AI and weights holdings by adjusted free-float market capitalization. The index rebalancing process reflects changes in industry relevance and market value within the sector.

  • Thematic exposure focused on China's generative AI industry
  • Inclusion criteria spanning models and software, infrastructure, and hardware
  • Index weighting based on adjusted free-float market capitalization
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Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF Size and Cost (AUM · Expense Ratio)

Assets under management (AUM) stand at $19.1M, and the total expense ratio is 0.39% annually.

Unlike broad emerging-markets products, thematic China equity funds carry a narrower industry and country exposure. Before trading, investors should review not only the fee structure but also trading volume, bid-ask spreads, the underlying market's trading hours, and the inclusion criteria.

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Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF Performance and Flows

1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
Dividend Yield 1.34%
Annual Dividend (TTM) $0.40
1Y Return -12.7%
Next Ex-Dividend Date 12/18/2025
52-Week Price Range
$29
Low $28 High $41
vs. low +3.51% vs. high -28%

Performance trends can be sensitive to expectations around generative AI commercialization, earnings outlooks for Chinese technology names, and shifting demand across the chip and software industries. Because the fund is highly concentrated in a single theme, individual industry news and regulatory changes can drive significant return volatility.

Fund flows are shaped by risk appetite for Chinese equities and investor interest in technology themes. Shifts in foreign-investor accessibility, policy direction, currency movements, and geopolitical factors can quickly swing flows between net inflows and net outflows, so the broader market backdrop warrants attention as well.

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Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF Strengths and Weaknesses

Concentrated exposure to China's generative AI value chain is a strength, but thematic and country concentration, along with changing trading conditions, remain core risks.

💪 Key Strengths

Focused Thematic Exposure
Provides selective access to businesses tied to generative AI models, software, and infrastructure.
Rules-Based Management
The index-tracking approach makes the inclusion criteria and weighting methodology relatively transparent.
Broad Value-Chain Coverage
The inclusion universe extends beyond application services to computing infrastructure and hardware-related companies.

⚠️ Points to Watch

Country and Theme Concentration
Heavy exposure to the Chinese market and the generative AI industry means regulatory and industry news can have an outsized impact.
Geopolitical Factors
Shifts in cross-border policy and market access can affect the underlying assets' valuations and investor sentiment.
Trading Conditions
Thematic products can see trading volumes and bid-ask spreads vary with conditions, so order execution should be reviewed.
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Alternative ETFs and Related Products for the Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF

The emerging-markets comparison products listed in the table follow different strategies. The FNDE ETF takes a fundamentals-based approach to emerging-markets equities, distinguishing it from the DRGN ETF, while the FRDM ETF uses a composition that reflects a country-freedom metric. The XSOE ETF employs a methodology that lowers state-owned enterprise weightings, and the PXH ETF provides broad emerging-markets exposure grounded in fundamental factors. The EMGF ETF uses a factor-based emerging-markets approach. These products are best viewed as reference points for comparing diversification breadth and inclusion criteria rather than direct substitutes for the DRGN ETF's focused China generative AI theme.

Peer Comparison ETFs
TickerNamePriceChangeAUMTotal Expense RatioDividend Yield1Y
FNDEFNDESchwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity ETF$42.44+0.4%$10.4B0.39%3.5%+16.0%
FRDMFRDMAlpha Architect Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF$64.82+0.4%$3.4B0.49%1.82%+37.8%
PXHPXHInvesco RAFI Emerging Markets ETF$29.28+0.3%$2.0B0.47%3.97%+13.6%
XSOEXSOEWisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund$44.55+0.2%$2.0B0.32%1.74%+14.4%
EMGFEMGFiShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF$68.01+0.1%$1.8B0.26%2.12%+16.9%
Top Holdings
TickerNameWeightPriceChangeMarket CapP/EDividend Yield
BIDUBIDUBaidu Inc ADR0.12%$80.50+0.9%$22.2B-2.21%
KCKCKingsoft Cloud Holdings Ltd ADR0.10%$8.79+3.0%$2.6B--
TUYATUYATuya Inc ADR0.02%$1.70+2.4%$923.1M15.26.47%
ECXECXECARX Holdings Inc0.01%$0.88+1.5%$315.1M--
FAFFAFFirst American Financial Corp0.01%$66.26+2.2%$6.8B9.23.41%
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Investor Checklist for the Themes China Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF

When evaluating the DRGN ETF, investors should first clarify the purpose of their China equity exposure and the role it plays within their overall asset allocation, rather than focusing solely on the generative AI theme itself. The review process should include costs, trading conditions, distribution policy, and country-specific risks.

Checklist ItemWhat to ConfirmCurrent Status
Fee StructureCost burden over long-term holding and differences versus comparable productsReview disclosure documents
Distribution PolicyWhether the distribution schedule aligns with expected cash flow needsAnnual distribution
Theme ConcentrationAssess dependence on and volatility of generative AI-related industriesConcentrated exposure
Trading ConditionsCheck trading volume, bid-ask spread, and order execution approachVaries with market conditions

Share prices of China-linked technology companies can be influenced simultaneously by industry competition, policy shifts, foreign-investor accessibility, and geopolitical factors. If enthusiasm for the generative AI theme fades or the underlying assets' liquidity declines, the gap between market price and net asset value can widen.

The DRGN ETF is a thematic vehicle that can be used to gain focused exposure to China's generative AI value chain. However, because its objective differs from broad emerging-markets products, it is better viewed as a satellite allocation expressing a theme rather than a core diversifier, with the weight determined within the context of a broader asset allocation plan.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.

This article reflects information as of August 17, 2026.

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