FLAX ETF — Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF

Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF (FLAX)

Updated October 16, 2026.

FLAX is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 1.17%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.17%, its expense ratio is 0.19%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 80/100 (Safe). Total return is 80.1% over the past 8.7 years, 158.2 points behind SPY at 238.3%.

Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF tracks the FTSE Asia ex Japan Capped Index, investing at least 80% of its assets in large- and mid-capitalization stocks from developed and emerging Asian countries excluding Japan. The fund distributes semi-annually at a modest current distribution rate and carries a low expense ratio of 0.19%. It appeals to income investors seeking equity exposure to Asian markets outside Japan.

FLAX performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 80.1% over the past 8.7 years, 158.2 points behind SPY at 238.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 18.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 14.4%.

FLAX key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

80 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.94%

Issuer

Franklin Templeton

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

02/06/2018

Expense ratio

0.19%

Distribution rate

1.17%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

2.17%

Last close

$33.96 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$58,089,372

Average volume

26864.0

Dividend

$0.198

Ex-dividend date

06/26/2026

Payment date

07/06/2026

Beta

1.13

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.17%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (2.17%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Franklin Templeton; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

FLAX risks and drawbacks

FLAX's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are semi-annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 14.4%.

Who may consider FLAX — and who may not

FLAX may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FLAX pays semi-annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

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Tagged: International.

Frequently asked questions

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