Trillions

Freedom Is Paying Off for This Indie ETF

Launched seven years ago, the emerging markets exchange-traded fund FRDM is suddenly climbing.

Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

Listen and subscribe to Trillions on Apple, Spotify, iHeart and the Bloomberg Terminal.

The Freedom 100 Emerging Markets (FRDM) exchange-traded fund is having a moment. Launched seven years ago as a way to filter out autocratic emerging market countries and invest more in those seen to have more freedom, it took a while to get going. Now it has a five-year return of more than 100%, which is five times better than the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and even more than the Nasdaq 100.