STOCKS | BlackRock to Launch Nasdaq 100 ETF as Competition Intensifies

BlackRock said it will launch an exchange-traded fund tracking the Nasdaq 100 Index, aiming to meet rising investor demand to participate in an AI-driven stock market rally. According to Jin10, the world’s largest asset manager said the iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF will track the U.S. benchmark index, which is heavily weighted toward technology stocks, and will begin trading on Thursday. The report said Nasdaq recently changed its inclusion criteria to speed up the addition of newly listed companies such as SpaceX to the index. BlackRock’s product will compete with Nasdaq 100-related offerings from Invesco, which has long held a dominant position in this segment. The report noted that Invesco’s QQQ Trust Series 1 and its Nasdaq 100 ETF have been popular among investors seeking exposure to large-cap growth and technology stocks. The report also said State Street launched a Nasdaq 100 ETF last month.