ADX Lists Two Hanwha ETFs Tracking Korean Defence and Manufacturing Stocks

The PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF (KDEF) and the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA) also trade on NYSE Arca. They are the fifth and sixth US cross-listed ETFs on ADX and bring the exchange's total ETF offering to 26.

KDEF tracks the Korea Defense Industry USD Index and invests at least 80 percent of its assets in Korean companies in national security technology, defence manufacturing and aerospace. Its 20 holdings include Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1. KMCA tracks the Akros Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index and holds 35 companies across six strategic supply-chain sectors, including the chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX, said the listings come as economic ties between the UAE and South Korea grow. He said the exchange connects local and international investors with Korean industries and gives Hanwha's international network access to Abu Dhabi opportunities.

Young Jin Choi, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Hanwha Asset Management, said the funds reflect Korea's strength in pairing advanced technology with large-scale manufacturing. He added that the ADX listings let Gulf investors trade these industries during local hours, and that they extend Hanwha Financial Group's UAE partnership into financial services.

ADX said ETF trading value on the exchange passed AED291 million between January and October 2026, and that it plans to keep adding thematic products.

The listings give Gulf investors a way, in local hours and on a local exchange, to invest in the Korean memory chipmakers at the centre of the AI hardware supply chain, alongside a defence sector that has attracted strong demand.