The Next Big Theme: June 2023

US battery tech pipeline takes massive strides as the EV transition accelerates, and Apple’s Vision Pro release vindicates Metaverse believer’s hopes and dreams. In this month’s Next Big Theme, Global X explores the investment outlooks for thematics such as lithium, augmented reality, biotech and more.

Lithium & Battery Technology

US’ Lithium Battery Pipeline Overtakes Europe’s

Propelled by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and a strong commitment to accelerating the clean energy transition, the US battery capacity pipeline surpassed Europe’s for the first time.1 Since the IRA’s implementation, the US pipeline has grown by 57.9%, adding 436 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery capacity.2 During the same period, Europe’s pipeline has grown by only 3%, equivalent to 35 GWh.3 Projections indicate that the US pipeline reaches 1,190 GWh by 2031.4 In line with this progress, leading lithium producer Albemarle partnered with Ford Motor Company to supply over 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, supporting Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) production scaling efforts.5 The five-year supply agreement, starting in 2026, aims to provide domestically sourced lithium hydroxide within the United States or from countries covered by a US Free Trade Agreement.6 Globally, Chilean lithium producer SQM expects a minimum 20% increase in lithium demand this year, driven by a projected 30% surge in global EV sales.7

Metaverse

Apple Takes Headsets to New Realms

Apple unveiled its augmented reality (AR) headset, the Apple Vision Pro, at its Worldwide Developer Conference, WWDC23. With a separate battery pack and intuitive controls via eyes, hands, and voice, Vision Pro is a significant leap forward in the headset market. Priced at $3,499, it will launch in the United States early next year and other countries thereafter.8 Vision Pro is primarily an AR device but can transition to virtual reality (VR) using a dial. Boasting 12 cameras, five sensors, and a 4K display per eye, it leverages passthrough video to overlay 3D objects in the real world.9 Apple’s entry into the AR/VR market carries weight due to its ecosystem of products and loyal consumer base. AR/VR headset shipments are forecast to increase by 14% in 2023 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.6% from 2023–2027.10 Meta’s Quest 3, featuring higher resolution and improved integration with the real world supports this upward headset demand trajectory. Its release is slated for later this year.11

Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres

Chipmakers Race to Power the AI Revolution

The AI revolution has demand for specialised AI chips soaring, with Nvidia paving the way as the leading graphics processing unit (GPU) manufacturer. The AI push propelled Nvidia to the trillion-dollar market capitalisation club. To meet demand as companies race to integrate generative AI into many aspects of their products and services, Nvidia significantly increased its chip supply.12 While currently using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) advanced process nodes, Nvidia remains open to other options should industry supply constraints arise, including Intel.13 At technology trade show Computex 2023, Nvidia unveiled its GPU roadmap, showcasing the upcoming Hopper-Next chips arriving in 2024.14 With unmatched AI computational power, the Hopper series, built for next-gen generative models like ChatGPT, is the world’s fastest 4 nanometre (nm) GPU featuring HBM3 memory.15 Responding to the surging GPU demand, Big Tech companies such as Microsoft, are investing billions in Nvidia-backed startups like CoreWeave to secure the best hardware.

Genomics & Aging Population

Novel Treatments for Melanoma

A promising mid-stage clinical trial involves Moderna and Merck’s experimental cancer vaccine and Merck’s immunotherapy treatment Keytruda. When combined, the two treatments reduce the risk of melanoma spreading to other parts of the body or causing death by a significant 65%, compared with patients who only received Keytruda.16 The trial includes a treatment group of 157 stage 3 and stage 4 patients who had their cancer surgically removed. Patients receive Moderna and Merck’s vaccine every three weeks for a total of nine doses and infusions of Keytruda every three weeks for approximately a year.17 In February, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Moderna and Merck a breakthrough therapy designation to accelerate the development and review process. Similarly, Regeneron’s phase 1 study on advanced melanoma patients shows promise with its LAG-3 inhibitor and PD-1 inhibitor combination. In this study, the investigational monoclonal antibody Fianlimab targets the LAG-3 immune checkpoint receptor on T cells when used with Libtayo. It achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 61% across three cohorts, almost double the historical efficacy of anti-PD-1 monotherapy.18

FinTech

FedNow Delivers Funds in Real Time

FedNow, scheduled for release in July, is set to revolutionise the US payments system by enabling instant payments through participating financial institutions, including early adopters Fiserv and Fidelity.19 With the US playing catch-up to countries that already offer real-time payments, such as China and Brazil, FedNow could drive a four-fold increase in real-time payments volume by 2027, from 2.5 billion to 11.5 billiontransactions.20 Fidelity National Information Services is among two dozen companies involved in the final testing stage and expected to participate in the FedNow certification program.21 Fidelity anticipates growth in consumer cases and account-to-account (A2A) payments. Also advancing real-time payments through the FedNow pilot is Fiserv and its NOW Gateway network.