--- title: ROBO Global Q3 2020 Review description: The ROBO Global innovation indices posted double-digit returns in Q3, continuing to outperform global equities. image: https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/Copy-of-Untitled-2.png --- - [![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=2261676&conversionId=4842593&fmt=gif)Newsletter Signup](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/robo-global-q3-2020-review#newsletter-form) ### Newsletter Form ROBO Global uses this information to keep you up to date on the latest investment insights and technology trends. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For more information, check out our [Privacy Policy](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/privacy). If you cannot see the form above, you may have an ad blocker preventing it from loading. Please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page. ### Contact Form If you cannot see the form above, you may have an ad blocker preventing it from loading. 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[![VettaFi_ROBO_WHITE-1](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VettaFi_ROBO_WHITE-1.png?width=4320&height=1440&name=VettaFi_ROBO_WHITE-1.png "VettaFi_ROBO_WHITE-1")](https://www.roboglobal.com/) - [RESEARCH & INSIGHTS](http://www.roboglobal.com/research-insights) - [MEET THE EXPERTS](http://www.roboglobal.com/about-us) - ROBO Global Indexes - [ROBO Index](https://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/robo-index/) - [THNQ Index](https://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/thnq-index/) - [HTEC Index](https://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/htec-index/) - [How to Invest](https://www.roboglobal.com/robo-etfs) - [ESG](http://www.roboglobal.com/esg-policy) # Investment Insights Authored by: ROBO Global Research Team Date: October 15, 2020 Category: [THNQ](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/thnq), [HTEC](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/htec), [Market Commentary](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/market-commentary), [ROBO](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/robo), [Investing in AI](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/investing-in-ai), [Investing in Healthcare Tech](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/investing-in-healthcare-tech), [Investing in Robotics & Automation](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/tag/investing-in-robotics-automation) Share this: - - - - [mailto:?subject=ROBO%20Global%20Q3%202020%20Review&body=ROBO%20Global%20Q3%202020%20Review%20https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/robo-global-q3-2020-review](mailto:?subject=ROBO%20Global%20Q3%202020%20Review&body=ROBO%20Global%20Q3%202020%20Review%20https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/robo-global-q3-2020-review) ##### Related Posts - [![Turnkey Tech Investing: August 2023 Market Brief](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/ROBOBrief_Blog%20+%20Turnkey%20Tech-Sep-20-2023-04-28-59-7091-PM.png) Turnkey Tech Investing: August 2023 Market Brief](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/turnkey-tech-investing-august-2023) - [![AR / VR Will Break Barriers Between the Physical & Digital Worlds](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/AR%20VR%20Trends%20Blog%20Thumbnail.png) AR / VR Will Break Barriers Between the Physical & Digital Worlds](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/ar-vr-will-break-barriers-between-the-physical-and-digital-worlds) - [![Q2 In Review: Inside the ROBO, THNQ & HTEC Indexes](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/Q1%202021-1.png) Q2 In Review: Inside the ROBO, THNQ & HTEC Indexes](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/q2-in-review-inside-the-robo-thnq-htec-indexes) - [![Automation Isn't Just For the Fortune 500](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/SMEs%20Automation%20Webinar%20Deck%20(Tifin)%20(1).png) Automation Isn't Just For the Fortune 500](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/automation-isnt-just-for-the-fortune-500) ## ROBO Global Q3 2020 Review ![ROBO Global Q3 2020 Review](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com/hubfs/Copy-of-Untitled-2.png) The ROBO Global innovation indices posted double-digit returns in Q3, continuing to outperform global equities. This performance was due, in part, to the digitalization of the economy that has been turbocharged by the COVID-19 crisis. The Robotics & Automation Index (ROBO) returned 11%, the Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) increased 10%, and the Healthcare Technology & Innovation Index (HTEC) rose 14% for the quarter. Our strategies are focused on technology disruptors, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, factory and logistics automation, enterprise software, and healthcare technologies. In this report, we discuss key sector trends and big movers in each space. [![RESEARCH REPORT: Q3 PERFORMANCE REPORT](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7764048/5feb2838-2600-477d-8c90-4b74395f30f0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7764048/5feb2838-2600-477d-8c90-4b74395f30f0) ### ROBO: Robotics & Automation Robotics, automation, and AI stocks continued to outperform global equities in Q3, with the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index (ROBO) returning a total 10.6% in the quarter—2.5 percentage points more than the MSCI ACWI return of 8.1%. This performance included a 1.6% benefit from a weaker US Dollar. Overall, 9 of the 11 subsectors recorded gains, led by Logistics Automation (+17%), Healthcare (+17%), and Sensing (+12%) while Security (-25%), and Consumer (-9%) declined. By region, Europe (+24%) and Asia (+9%) led the US (+6%). As of 30 September 2020, 59% of ROBO index members held a net cash position. At the portfolio level, the net cash to EBITDA for the portfolio stood at 0.1x. ### HTEC: Healthcare Technology & Innovation Healthcare tech continued to outperform global equities in Q3, with the ROBO Global Healthcare Technology and Innovation Index (HTEC) returning a total 13.8% in the quarter, outperforming the MSCI ACWI return of 8.1%, and the S&P Global Healthcare Index of 4.0%. By subsector, Genomics, Data Analytics, and Process Automation led the group, returning 30%, 23%, and 19%, respectively. All subsectors saw double-digit returns with the exception of Regenerative Medicine (+6%) and Precision Medicine (-4%). As of 30 September 2020, 56% of HTEC index members held a net cash position, and a median forward E/V to sales ratio of 6.95x ### THNQ: Artificial Intelligence  The ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Index (THNQ) posted gains of 10.5% in Q3 as many of the index members took a breather after surging almost 44% in the previous quarter. THNQ continued to outperform broader market indices, including the MSCI ACWI (+8.1%) and the S&P 500 (+8.9%). Cognitive Computing (31.9%), E-Commerce (19.7%), and Semiconductor (+15.0%) were top contributors during the quarter. Despite a volatile quarter, underlying fundamentals remain strong, and the continued investment by enterprises in their digital transformation initiatives was evidenced by strong earnings results during the quarter. [![RESEARCH REPORT: Q3 PERFORMANCE REPORT](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7764048/5feb2838-2600-477d-8c90-4b74395f30f0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7764048/5feb2838-2600-477d-8c90-4b74395f30f0) [Back to All Entries](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com) VettaFi, a data, analytics, and thought leadership company, is transforming financial services from an industry to a community—one relationship at a time. In addition to providing interactive online tools and research, VettaFi offers asset managers an array of indexing and digital distribution solutions to innovate and scale their businesses. With billions in assets benchmarked to its indices– and more than 200 customers globally – asset managers look to VettaFi for benchmarks and best-in-class index solutions. VetttaFi owns and administers the ROBO Global Index Series. ## Navigation - [Home](http://www.roboglobal.com) - [ROBO Research](http://www.roboglobal.com/whitepapers) - [Investment Insights](https://insights.roboglobaletfs.com) - [ROBO Index](http://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/robo-index) - [THNQ Index](http://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/thnq-index) - [HTEC Index](http://www.roboglobal.com/robo-global-indices/htec-index) ### Newsletter Signup My rich text default content © 2026 ROBO Global Index, LLC. 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