IEMGETF

EDIV, a smart beta ETF with $1.17 billion in assets, offers exposure to emerging market dividend stocks with a 4.32% yield and 0.49% expense ratio. The fund has returned 7.14% year-to-date and 9.18% over the past year with medium risk (beta 0.48). However, cheaper alternatives like VWO (0.06% expense ratio) and IEMG (0.09%) offer broader market exposure at lower costs.

A Financial Times survey of 94 economists suggests that AI-related productivity gains will be widely shared globally, with developed markets better positioned to adopt AI than emerging markets. Vanguard research projects international developed-market stocks will outperform U.S. stocks over the next 10-30 years. The article recommends buying developed-market ETFs (VEA and IEFA) while avoiding emerging-market ETFs (EEM and IEMG).

The article reviews Northern Trust Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt ETF (TLTE), a smart beta ETF launched in 2012 with $339.07 million in assets. While TLTE has delivered 16.82% year-to-date returns and 20.26% over the past year, the article concludes it is not suitable for investors seeking to outperform the Broad Emerging Market ETFs segment. The article recommends cheaper alternatives like Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund (VWO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG), which offer lower expense ratios and reduced risk.