ETF Evaluator:
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF ()
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(as of Aug 26)
Best Performing in Technology Over the Last Year
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ETF Details
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF Overview
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) is an actively managed Sector Equity Technology exchange-traded fund (ETF). Franklin Templeton Investments launched the ETF in 2020.
The investment seeks capital appreciation.
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of companies that are relevant to its investment theme of intelligent machines. The fund invests predominantly in common stock. Although it may invest across economic sectors, the advisor expects to have significant positions in particular sectors including technology. The fund is non-diversified.
About Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM)
There are 1 members of the management team with an average tenure of 6.43 years: Matthew Moberg (2020). Management tenure is more important for actively managed ETFs than passive index ETFs.
The ETF has 1 primary benchmark: Russell 3000 TR USD index with a weighting of 100%. Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has 81 securities in its portfolio. The top 10 holdings constitute 43.4% of the ETF’s assets. The ETF meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a nondiversified fund. The ETF is not considered to have an ESG focus with its investment selection and management.
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF is part of the Equity global asset class and is within the Sector Equity ETF group. Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has 23.3% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues. The overall assets allocated to domestic stock is 72.8% There is 23.3% allocated to foreign stock, and 0.0% is allocated to preferred stocks. The bond allocation as a percentage of total assets is 0.0% (0.0% domestic bond, 0.0% foreign bond and 0.0% convertible bond). Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has 3.9% of the portfolio in cash.
Assets Under Management
The fund has $102 million in total assets, which is below the $3 billion average for the Technology category. Normally, lower assets under management translates to higher average expense ratios, and greater total assets are desired. However, for some investment categories, such as small-cap investing, it may be difficult for the manager to fully employ the desired active strategy if assets grow too large or too quickly.
IQM Performance and Fees
The expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for administrative expenses and operating expenses, including adviser fees and fees for the transfer agent and custodial services. The Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF expense ratio is average compared to funds in the Technology category. Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has an expense ratio of 0.50%, which is 7% lower than its category average, making the fund expense ratio grade a C. While it is difficult to predict returns, it is known that high annual expense ratios reduce your rate of return, and excessive fees are difficult to overcome. Active management normally comes with higher expense ratios than passive index management. Certain investment categories such as small company and foreign also normally have higher expense ratios. It is best to compare fund expense ratios against the category averages for meaningful assessments.
High portfolio turnover can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 33%, which indicates that it holds its assets around / 0.0 years. By way of comparison, the average portfolio turnover is 39% for the Technology category.
Recently, in the month of July 2026, Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF returned -17.2%, which earned it a grade of D, as the Technology category had an average return of -9.8%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D and F are based upon relative rankings within the investment category. A grade of A, for example, would indicate that the return is in the highest 20% for that time period compared to all ETFs in that category.
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF has a trailing yield of 0.00%, which is below the 0.45% category average.
The fund normally distributes its income annually.
It’s natural to seek the best-performing investments, but you must consider the relationship between risk and return and the impact of costs and taxes on your realized returns.
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF Grades
Year to date, the ETF has returned 17.5%, 3.9 percentage points worse than the category, which translates into a grade of C. The fund has returned 29.9% over the past year (grade of C), 27.4% over the past three years (grade of B) and 15.9% per year over the past five years (grade of B).
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IQM Trailing NAV Total Returns Data as of 7/31/26
| Last Month |
Last Quarter |
Ann'l. 1Yr |
Ann'l. 3Yr |
Ann'l. 5Yr |
Ann'l. 10Yr |
|
| IQM Return (NAV) | -17.2% | -4.9% | 29.9% | 27.4% | 15.9% | na |
| IQM Return (Price) | -17.5% | -4.8% | 29.8% | 27.3% | 15.9% | na |
| NAV +/- Price Return | 0.292% | -0.083% | 0.106% | 0.073% | 0.012% | na |
| Technology Avg | -9.8% | 7.3% | 33.6% | 22.3% | 10.5% | 19.0% |
| IQM Grade (NAV) | D | F | C | B | B | na |
| +/- Category (NAV) | -7.3% | -12.2% | -3.7% | 5.0% | 5.4% | na |
| IQM Tax-Cost Ratio | na | na | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | na |
IQM Annual NAV Total ReturnsData as of 7/31/26
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| IQM Return (NAV) | 17.5% | 30.6% | 30.8% | 41.0% | -33.1% | 25.3% | na | na | na | na | na |
| IQM Return (Price) | 17.2% | 30.8% | 31.0% | 41.1% | -33.4% | 25.2% | na | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Ret | -0.012% | 0.005% | 0.007% | 0.001% | 0.007% | -0.003% | na | na | na | na | na |
| Technology Avg | 21.3% | 23.2% | 19.9% | 43.8% | -35.8% | 16.7% | 53.3% | 37.8% | -3.2% | 33.7% | 15.0% |
| IQM Grade (NAV) | C | B | B | C | B | B | na | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category | -3.9% | 7.4% | 10.9% | -2.7% | 2.6% | 8.5% | na | na | na | na | na |
| Risk Measures | |
| Beta: | 1.72 |
| R-Squared: | 65% |
| Standard Deviation: | 27.1% |
| Category Risk Index: | 1.02 |
| Category Risk Rating: | Above Average |
| Total Risk Index: | 2.21 |
| Total Risk Rating: | High |
| Portfolio Characteristics | |
| Yield: | 0.0% |
| Total Assets: | $ 103 Mil |
| Share Class Assets: | $ 103 Mil |
| Turnover: | 33.0% |
| Expense Ratio: | 0.50% |
| Index Fund: | No |
| Index Tracked: | Russell 3000 TR USD |
| Index Weighting: | 100% |
| Leveraged: | No |
| Socially Responsible Fund: | No |
| Capital Gains Distribution Frequency: | |
| Income Distribution Frequency: | Annually |
Management Team
| Number of Managers: 1 | |||
| Longest Tenure: 6.4 years | |||
| Average Tenure: 6.4 years | |||
| Managers (Year): Moberg Matthew (2020) | |||
Portfolio Composition (as of 7/31/26)
| # of Holdings: | 81 |
| % in Top 10 Holdings: | 43.4% |
| Fund is Non-Diversified: | Yes |
| % in Foreign Issues: | 23.3% |
Portfolio Allocation |
|
| Domestic Stock: | 72.8% |
| Foreign Stock: | 23.3% |
| Preferred Stock: | 0.0% |
| Domestic Bond: | 0.0% |
| Foreign Bond: | 0.0% |
| Convertible Bond: | 0.0% |
| Other: | 0.0% |
| Cash: | 3.9% |
Purchase Information
| Legal Structure: | Open Ended Investment Company |
| Fund Family: | Franklin Templeton Investments |
| Phone Number: | 800-342-5236 |
| Website: | etf.franklintempleton.com |
| Inception Date: | February 25, 2020 |
Expenses and Fees
| Expense Ratio (%): | 0.50% (Rating: Avg) |
| Category Average Expense Ratio (%): | 0.54% |
