It tracks the Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index and targets companies that have increased their dividends for at least several consecutive years. It selects only companies whose payout ratios fall below a certain level, which improves the sustainability of its dividends.

It suits investors building income portfolios who want stable dividend growth and long-term price appreciation in non-US markets.

Launched by iShares in 2016, it is a passively managed (index-tracking) ETF.

Securities are selected by weighing factors such as the continuity of dividend payments and the dividend payout relative to earnings. It uses a distinctive approach that assigns weights based on total dividend amounts rather than market capitalization, which reflects the influence of companies that contribute more to dividends.

• Broad coverage across global markets outside the US
• Strict screening that takes dividend sustainability into account

Assets under management (AUM) stand at $1.3B, and the expense ratio is 0.15% per year.

Compared with the similar ETFs shown in the table, its fee level is reasonable, and its strategy focuses on the "quality" and "growth" of dividends rather than on dividend yield itself.

Performance has varied with the global interest rate environment and the pace of economic recovery in each region, but given the nature of dividend growth stocks, the fund has shown relatively solid defensiveness in down markets.

Interest continues from investors seeking to raise their non-US asset allocation to diversify their portfolios, and capital that prefers a stable dividend stream has been flowing in steadily.

It is an efficient, low-cost way to invest in stable global dividend growth stocks, but it remains exposed to regional political and economic risks.

GRIN, GRW, and EAFG, shown in the table, are similar products that focus on specific factors, cash flow, or durable growth. Their fees tend to be somewhat higher than those of IGRO, but each has its own distinctive selection method. More widely known competing products include Vanguard's VIGI and Schwab's SCHY, and if you want to raise the dividend yield itself, VYMI is also a good comparison. If you want to strengthen a value tilt, EFV is also worth considering.

These are the key checkpoints and main considerations to keep in mind when evaluating IGRO. As one pillar of a global income portfolio, weigh this product's dividend growth potential and its risk factors in a balanced way.

Investing in overseas markets carries the combined risks of domestic and foreign political conditions and exchange rate fluctuations. In particular, there is a risk of declining together with others during an economic crisis in a specific country.

It is an ETF suited to investors who want stable income and overseas asset allocation at the same time. From a long-term perspective, it is a core holding that can be expected to benefit from the compounding effect of dividend growth.