Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Global X • Cloud Computing
Expense Ratio
0.68%
AUM
$700.0M
Dividend Yield
0.10%
Inception
2019
Beginner Score
7/10
What is Global X Cloud Computing ETF?
CLOU focuses on companies whose primary business involves cloud-based software and services delivered over the internet. It targets pure-play cloud companies more heavily than diversified tech conglomerates. This makes it a more concentrated bet on the growth of cloud-native businesses compared to broader cloud ETF alternatives.
CLOU is managed by Global X and has been available since 2019. With $700.0M in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.68%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $68 per year in management fees.
CLOU at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% |
| Total Holdings | 35 |
| P/E Ratio | 40.0 |
| Beta | 1.18 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% |
| AUM | $700.0M |
| Inception Year | 2019 |
| Issuer | Global X |
Top 10 Holdings in CLOU
CLOU holds 35 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zscaler Inc. | ZS | 6.00% |
| 2 | Datadog Inc. | DDOG | 5.50% |
| 3 | Cloudflare Inc. | NET | 5.50% |
| 4 | MongoDB Inc. | MDB | 5.00% |
| 5 | Snowflake Inc. | SNOW | 5.00% |
| 6 | HubSpot Inc. | HUBS | 4.50% |
| 7 | Confluent Inc. | CFLT | 4.00% |
| 8 | Shopify Inc. | SHOP | 4.00% |
| 9 | Atlassian Corp. | TEAM | 3.50% |
| 10 | Elastic NV | ESTC | 3.00% |
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CLOU Performance History
Here's how CLOU has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
6.00%
1 Year
14.00%
3 Year
2.00%
5 Year
8.00%
10 Year
0.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 7/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
CLOU scores 7/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, focuses on 35 selected holdings, and has been available since 2019, though its track record is still developing.
How to Buy CLOU — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "CLOU" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Global X Cloud Computing ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into CLOU
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With CLOU's expense ratio of 0.68%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $5,531 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of CLOU
Pros
- ✓Pure-play focus on cloud-native companies provides concentrated thematic exposure
- ✓Holdings are primarily high-growth SaaS firms with strong recurring revenue models
- ✓Less diluted by legacy tech giants compared to broader cloud ETFs like SKYY
- ✓Captures smaller innovative cloud companies often missed by market-cap-weighted funds
Cons
- ✗Smaller AUM and newer fund means less liquidity and a shorter performance track record
- ✗Very high aggregate valuations make it especially sensitive to interest rate hikes
- ✗Many holdings are not yet consistently profitable despite rapid revenue growth
CLOU vs Similar ETFs
See how CLOU stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CLOU a good ETF for beginners?▾
CLOU has a Beginner Suitability Score of 7/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and focused strategy.
What is the expense ratio of CLOU?▾
CLOU has an expense ratio of 0.68%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $68 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in CLOU?▾
You can invest in CLOU with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does CLOU pay dividends?▾
Yes, CLOU pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.10%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in CLOU?▾
The top holdings in CLOU include Zscaler Inc. (6.00%), Datadog Inc. (5.50%), Cloudflare Inc. (5.50%), and more. The fund holds 35 total positions, providing focused exposure to selected companies.