IDEQ ETF Overview – Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
An actively managed ETF that invests in global markets outside the US, distinguished by systematic stock selection and flexible style adaptation.
What is this ETF?
It tracks the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index as its benchmark and covers listed companies across diverse regions worldwide, including Europe, Japan, and emerging markets. By integrating quantitative models with the judgment of experienced portfolio managers, it comprehensively evaluates each stock's value, growth potential, and quality.
It is well suited for investors who prefer active portfolio management across global markets while targeting excess returns beyond passive index tracking.
IDEQ is an actively managed ETF launched by Lazard in 2025.
How does it invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Benchmark | MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index |
| Management Style | Active (Systematic Strategy) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | As needed (Dynamic Response) |
| Dividend Schedule | Semi-annual |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.40% |
Rather than being anchored to a single investment style, it reflects the most attractive market factors in real time. A defining feature is the combination of top-down macro analysis with bottom-up stock selection to strategically adjust sector and country weightings.
- Data-driven systematic active management
- Flexible style rotation in response to market regimes
Size and Cost
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $2.1B, with a total expense ratio of 0.40% annually.
Despite being an actively managed fund, the fee level is set at a reasonable level, helping to alleviate the cost burden of long-term investing. It is widely regarded as a product that consolidates Lazard Asset Management's extensive global investment expertise.
Performance and Flows
The fund responds sensitively to the global supply-chain realignment and the technology innovation cycle, and it has been maintaining a solid trajectory while increasing exposure to global leading companies in the semiconductor and infrastructure sectors.
Since its conversion from a mutual fund to an ETF, accessibility has improved, and it has been steadily adopted as a core portfolio holding by institutional investors, absorbing demand for global diversified investments.
Strengths and Weaknesses
It offers flexible access to quality assets worldwide, but investors must weigh the active risk from manager judgment and the impact of currency fluctuations.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products
The table shows RODM and SEIE, which are also global ETFs using multifactor or active strategies and can play a complementary role alongside IDEQ. For those seeking high-dividend-focused alternatives, EFAA may be considered, while SFTX can be reviewed together for investors prioritizing risk management. Top holdings include global tech leaders such as TSM, ASML, and Samsung Electronics.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF | $42.00 | -0.4% | $1.7B | 0.29% | 2.76% | +17.5% | |
| SEI Select International Equity ETF | $35.37 | -0.8% | $1.3B | 0.50% | 2.37% | +14.8% | |
| Horizon International Managed Risk ETF | $29.86 | -1.7% | $778.6M | 0.82% | 0.21% | - | |
| MFS Blended Research International Equity ETF | $29.47 | -1.6% | $700.5M | 0.34% | 0.37% | +17.1% | |
| Invesco MSCI EAFE Income Advantage ETF | $54.44 | -0.4% | $677.3M | 0.39% | 8.49% | +2.5% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR | 0.09% | $406.13 | -6.0% | $2.11T | 26.1 | 1.01% |
| ASML | ASML Holding NV | 0.06% | $1565.90 | -6.5% | $603.5B | 38.6 | 0.66% |
| SKHY | SK Hynix Inc ADR | 0.03% | $149.21 | -8.0% | $1.09T | 9.7 | 1.5% |
| NVS | Novartis AG ADR | 0.02% | $160.79 | -0.2% | $294.3B | 30.7 | 2.7% |
| Vinci Compass Investments Ltd | 0.04% | $8.80 | -0.1% | $576.5M | 12.9 | 9.32% | |
| Banco Santander Chile SA ADR | 0.02% | $30.53 | -3.0% | $14.4B | 11.7 | 4.9% | |
| PBR-A | Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras ADR | 0.02% | $19.41 | -0.1% | $52.9B | 4.9 | 7.65% |
Investor Checklist
Before investing in IDEQ, it is important to review the overall direction of global equity markets along with the fund's style shift trends, as it follows a fluid strategy rather than a fixed approach.
| Checkpoint | What to Verify | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 📊 Management Style | Current growth/value weighting of the portfolio | Needs Review |
| 📈 Performance vs. Benchmark | Whether excess returns over the index are achieved and the level of volatility | At a Sound Level |
| 🌍 Country Exposure | Status of over- or underweighting in specific regions | Diversified |
| 💵 Management Fee | Reasonableness of the fee level relative to the active approach | Reasonable Level |
While the fund focuses on companies with strong market dominance, note that the diversification effect may be diminished in the event of a worldwide economic downturn or liquidity crisis.
Backed by professional management expertise, it serves as a core strategic holding for proactive investors seeking to broadly capture diverse growth opportunities across global markets outside the US, and it enhances the efficiency of globally diversified investing from a long-term perspective.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.