FRDM ETF — Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM)

Updated October 16, 2026.

FRDM is an ETF that tracks the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. its distribution rate is 1.83%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.84%, its expense ratio is 0.49%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 72/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 203.1% over the past 7.4 years, 1.3 points ahead of SPY at 201.8%.

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF tracks an index of approximately 100 emerging-market equity securities weighted by personal and economic freedom metrics rather than traditional market capitalization. The fund distributes income quarterly at a modest current rate, with an expense ratio of 0.49%. It appeals to investors seeking emerging-market equity exposure with an allocation methodology focused on economic and personal freedom indicators.

FRDM performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 203.1% over the past 7.4 years, 1.3 points ahead of SPY at 201.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 40.8%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 19.2%.

FRDM key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

72 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.32%

Issuer

Alpha Architect

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

05/22/2019

Expense ratio

0.49%

Distribution rate

1.83%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.84%

Last close

$63.89 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$3,592,104,216

Average volume

251870.0

Dividend

$0.293

Ex-dividend date

09/28/2026

Payment date

09/30/2026

Beta

1.38

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.83%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.84%) 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: Alpha Architect or company page; Index: Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index; 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.

FRDM risks and drawbacks

FRDM's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 19.2%.

Who may consider FRDM — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (FRDM pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on FRDM

• All tickers starting with F

Tagged: International, Index.

Frequently asked questions

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