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Is Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM) a Strong ETF Right Now?
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Making its debut on 02/25/2015, smart beta exchange traded fund Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM - Free Report) provides investors broad exposure to the Foreign Large Value ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has long been dominated by products based on market cap weighted indexes, a strategy created to reflect the market or a particular market segment.
Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way.
On the other hand, some investors who believe that it is possible to beat the market by superior stock selection opt to invest in another class of funds that track non-cap weighted strategies--popularly known as smart beta.
By attempting to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, non-cap weighted indexes are based on certain fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such.
Even though this space provides many choices to investors--think one of the simplest methodologies like equal-weighting and more complicated ones like fundamental and volatility/momentum based weighting--not all have been able to deliver first-rate results.
Fund Sponsor & Index
The fund is managed by Hartfordfunds. RODM has been able to amass assets over $1.26 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Foreign Large Value ETF. RODM, before fees and expenses, seeks to match the performance of the Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index.
The Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index seeks to de-concentrate country, currency, and individual company risks in developed market economies (ex US).
Cost & Other Expenses
When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal.
Annual operating expenses for RODM are 0.29%, which makes it one of the cheaper products in the space.
RODM's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 3.39%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings.
When you look at individual holdings, Nokia Corp Spon Adr Adr (NOK) accounts for about 1.13% of the fund's total assets, followed by Roche Holding Ag Genusschein Common Stock (ROG) and Gsk Plc Spon Adr Adr (GSK).
RODM's top 10 holdings account for about 10.25% of its total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
Year-to-date, the Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF return is roughly 27.92% so far, and was up about 24.6% over the last 12 months (as of 10/30/2025). RODM has traded between $28.07 $35.99 in this past 52-week period.
RODM has a beta of 0.72 and standard deviation of 12.37% for the trailing three-year period, which makes the fund a medium risk choice in the space. With about 339 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Large Value ETF segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider.
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index and the Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) tracks Russell RAFI Developed ex US Large Co. Index (Net). Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF has $12.89 billion in assets, Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF has $18.31 billion. VYMI has an expense ratio of 0.17% and FNDF changes 0.25%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Large Value ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.
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Is Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Making its debut on 02/25/2015, smart beta exchange traded fund Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF (RODM - Free Report) provides investors broad exposure to the Foreign Large Value ETF category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has long been dominated by products based on market cap weighted indexes, a strategy created to reflect the market or a particular market segment.
Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way.
On the other hand, some investors who believe that it is possible to beat the market by superior stock selection opt to invest in another class of funds that track non-cap weighted strategies--popularly known as smart beta.
By attempting to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, non-cap weighted indexes are based on certain fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such.
Even though this space provides many choices to investors--think one of the simplest methodologies like equal-weighting and more complicated ones like fundamental and volatility/momentum based weighting--not all have been able to deliver first-rate results.
Fund Sponsor & Index
The fund is managed by Hartfordfunds. RODM has been able to amass assets over $1.26 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs in the Foreign Large Value ETF. RODM, before fees and expenses, seeks to match the performance of the Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index.
The Hartford Risk-Optimized Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) Index seeks to de-concentrate country, currency, and individual company risks in developed market economies (ex US).
Cost & Other Expenses
When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal.
Annual operating expenses for RODM are 0.29%, which makes it one of the cheaper products in the space.
RODM's 12-month trailing dividend yield is 3.39%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings.
When you look at individual holdings, Nokia Corp Spon Adr Adr (NOK) accounts for about 1.13% of the fund's total assets, followed by Roche Holding Ag Genusschein Common Stock (ROG) and Gsk Plc Spon Adr Adr (GSK).
RODM's top 10 holdings account for about 10.25% of its total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
Year-to-date, the Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF return is roughly 27.92% so far, and was up about 24.6% over the last 12 months (as of 10/30/2025). RODM has traded between $28.07 $35.99 in this past 52-week period.
RODM has a beta of 0.72 and standard deviation of 12.37% for the trailing three-year period, which makes the fund a medium risk choice in the space. With about 339 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF is a reasonable option for investors seeking to outperform the Foreign Large Value ETF segment of the market. However, there are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider.
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index and the Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) tracks Russell RAFI Developed ex US Large Co. Index (Net). Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF has $12.89 billion in assets, Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF has $18.31 billion. VYMI has an expense ratio of 0.17% and FNDF changes 0.25%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Foreign Large Value ETF
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.