At a glance
IMOM charges 0.38% a year. It has $159.1M in assets; it paid 2.51% of its price in distributions over the past 12 months, annual. Over the past year it returned +7.9% with distributions reinvested (S&P 500: +11.5%); over three years it returned +21.9% a year. At its worst it fell 37.3% in the 2020 crash (S&P 500: 33.7%) and 32.6% in the 2022 bear market (S&P 500: 24.5%), and was back at its earlier high 4 months and 29 months after the lows. Its ten largest positions make up 21.2% of the fund, out of 50 in all.
The short version
Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) uses fixed rules to buy developed-market stocks outside the U.S. with the strongest, steadiest price gains over the past year, a style called momentum. It is concentrated: 50 stocks as of June 30, 2026, with about 41% in Japan and 16% in Israel. It costs 0.38% a year and may suit investors who can stomach big swings: it fell 45.7% from January 2018 to March 2020.
Price history
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IMOM +7.9% over the year to Oct 27, 2026, total return with distributions reinvested.
How it has behaved
| YTD | 1 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr | Since start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMOM official prospectus, to Dec 31, 2025 | — | +46.96% | — | +5.43% | +6.54% | — |
| Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large and Mid-Cap Index (reflects no deduction for fees or expense) index, same period | — | +31.25% | — | +8.87% | +8.30% | — |
| IMOM price data to Oct 27, 2026 | +0.2% | +7.9% | +21.9% | +5.2% | +6.9% | +6.1% |
- Over the year to Oct 27, 2026, IMOM returned +7.9%.
- Its 5-year annualized return was +5.2% and its 10-year +6.9%.
- In the 2020 COVID crash it fell 37.3% and regained its old high 4.1 months after the low.
- Its worst full calendar year was 2018 (-23.1%); its best was 2025 (+47.2%).
- The deepest fall in its price history was 45.7% (Jan 29, 2018 to Mar 18, 2020), recovered by Dec 1, 2020.
Show as a table
| Year | Price data | Prospectus (official) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | +0.2% | — |
| 2025 | +47.2% | +46.96% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.15% |
| 2023 | +9.2% | +9.16% |
| 2022 | -21.9% | -21.95% |
| 2021 | -0.8% | -1.04% |
| 2020 | +28.5% | +29.24% |
| 2019 | +18.3% | +17.42% |
| 2018 | -23.1% | -22.15% |
| 2017 | +34.8% | +33.16% |
| 2016 | -8.6% | -9.72% |
| 2008 financial crisis stocks fell Oct 9, 2007 – Mar 9, 2009 | Before this security existed |
|---|---|
| 2020 COVID crash stocks fell Feb 19, 2020 – Mar 23, 2020 | Lost 36.4% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 37.3%, back to its old high 4.1 months after the low |
| 2022 bear market stocks fell Jan 3, 2022 – Oct 12, 2022 | Lost 32.1% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 32.6%, back to its old high 29.1 months after the low |
Dividends and income
Show as a table
| Year | Per share | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.9600 | -20.0% |
| 2024 | $1.2000 | +53.8% |
| 2023 | $0.7800 | -48.3% |
| 2022 | $1.5100 | +251.2% |
| 2021 | $0.4300 | +115.0% |
| 2020 | $0.2000 | -37.5% |
| 2019 | $0.3200 | +77.8% |
| 2018 | $0.1800 | -47.1% |
| 2017 | $0.3400 | +181.9% |
| 2016 | $0.1206 |
What's inside
As of Jun 30, 2026, the fund held 50 securities; the ten largest made up 21.21% of assets.
| Holding | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| ASMPT Ltd | 2.31% | |
| Vestas Wind Systems A/S | 2.17% | |
| Doral Group Renewable Energy Resources Ltd | 2.13% | |
| Mega Or Holdings Ltd | 2.11% | |
| Siemens Energy AG | 2.11% | |
| ABB Ltd | 2.09% | |
| Acciona SA | 2.08% | |
| Infineon Technologies AG | 2.07% | |
| Millicom International Cellular SA | 2.07% | |
| VAT Group AG | 2.07% | |
| Repsol SA | 2.06% | |
| SKY Perfect JSAT Corp | 2.05% | |
| Glencore PLC | 2.05% | |
| Elbit Systems Ltd | 2.05% | |
| Tokyo Electron Ltd | 2.04% |
By country
Japan 40.98%Israel 16.07%Australia 9.85%Germany 8.17%Spain 5.98%By asset type
Stocks 99.56%What changed recently
- Over the three months to Jun 30, 2026, investors added a net $12.8M (creations minus redemptions, per the N-PORT report).
- Monthly total returns reported for that quarter: +12.59%, +4.33%, -6.47%.
How it works
IMOM does not track an index. Its sub-adviser, Alpha Architect, LLC, picks stocks with a quantitative, rules-based process. The process starts with the largest 1,500 stocks that trade mainly in countries in the MSCI EAFE Index, a common benchmark of developed markets in Europe, Australasia and the Far East. It removes stocks that trade too thinly, ETFs, and companies with less than 12 months of financial data. The smallest companies left are usually worth more than $1 billion.
Here, momentum means a stock's total return over the past 12 months, leaving out the most recent month. The manager first drops companies with weak six-month or nine-month momentum, or high beta. Beta measures how sharply a stock swings with the market. It then ranks the remaining stocks by 12-month return. It favors those whose gains came steadily rather than in one short burst. The top 50 to 200 stocks make the cut, and at least 80% of net assets go into them.
The portfolio is rebalanced from time to time, generally each month. Portfolio turnover was 411%, which means the fund replaced its holdings about four times over. That trading has costs that are not part of the expense ratio. As of June 30, 2026, the fund held 50 stocks, each about 2% of assets, and no derivatives. Country and sector weights follow whatever is rising, so they can change quickly.
What it really costs
- IMOM charges 0.38% a year.
- Using the prospectus's standard example, $10,000 invested would cost about $39 in the first year and $480 over 10 years (assuming a 5% annual return).
| Cost of $10,000 (SEC example) | 1 yr | 3 yrs | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMOM | $39 | $122 | $213 | $480 |
In a retirement portfolio
It is a concentrated, high-turnover momentum strategy with deep past drops and a long recovery after 2022, so it fits better as a small add-on than as a core holding.
IMOM could add a different slice of international stocks, but the ride has been rough. In the 2020 COVID crash it fell 37.3% between February 19 and March 18, 2020, then got back to its peak by July 20, 2020. In the 2022 bear market it fell 32.6% and took about 29 months, until March 5, 2025, to recover. Its deepest drop was 45.7%, from January 2018 to March 2020. Its worst calendar year was 2018, at -22.15%. Anyone who had to sell during those stretches would have locked in losses. The fund launched in 2015, so it has no record from 2008. Its yield was 2.51% as of October 27, 2026, paid once a year. Expenses are 0.38%, or $39 in the first year on $10,000 under the SEC's standard example. Past results don't predict future returns, and a plan should look at the whole portfolio, not one fund.
Who it may suit — and who should look elsewhere
May suit
- Investors who want a rules-based tilt toward international stocks with strong 12-month gains, and who accept monthly changes and 411% turnover.
- People using it as a small satellite who can hold through drops like 2022's 32.6% fall, which took about 29 months to recover.
- Investors comfortable with concentrated country bets, such as Japan at 41% and Israel at 16% of assets as of June 30, 2026.
Look elsewhere if
- Investors wanting to match broad international markets. Over 10 years to December 31, 2025, IMOM returned 6.54% a year versus 8.3% for its benchmark.
- Retirees who need regular income. The 2.51% yield as of October 27, 2026, is paid only once a year and can vary.
- Anyone who may need to sell in a downturn. The fund fell 37.3% in early 2020, and its deepest drop reached 45.7%.
Close alternatives
Matched by holdings overlap from the latest N-PORT reports.
No close alternatives found.
Questions investors ask
Is IMOM a good fund for retirement?
IMOM works more as a satellite than as a core holding. It holds about 50 international stocks with strong recent gains, and it can swing hard. It fell 37.3% in early 2020 and 32.6% in 2022, and it took about 29 months to recover from the 2022 drop. It may suit retirees who keep it to a small slice of a diversified portfolio and are unlikely to need to sell it during a slump.
Does IMOM pay a dividend?
Yes, but only once a year. Over the 12 months to October 27, 2026, it paid $0.96 per share, a trailing yield of 2.51%. The payout comes from dividends on the stocks it holds. Because the portfolio turns over so often, the amount can change a lot from year to year. IMOM is not built as an income fund. Its stated goal is long-term capital appreciation.
What is the IMOM expense ratio?
IMOM charges 0.38% a year, all of it a management fee, according to its prospectus filed January 28, 2026. The SEC's standard example assumes $10,000 invested, a 5% annual return and shares sold at the end of each period. On that basis, total costs would be about $39 after one year, $122 after three, $213 after five and $480 after ten. Trading from its 411% turnover adds costs that are not in the expense ratio.
How does IMOM compare with its benchmark index?
The results are mixed. As of December 31, 2025, IMOM returned 46.96% over one year, well ahead of the 31.25% for the Solactive GBS Developed Markets ex North America Large and Mid-Cap Index. Over longer periods it lagged. Over five years it returned 5.43% a year versus 8.87%, and over ten years 6.54% versus 8.3%. The index figures include no fees. Momentum strategies can trail the broader market for long stretches.
What stocks are in IMOM?
As of June 30, 2026, IMOM held 50 stocks, each about 2% of assets. The largest included ASMPT (2.31%), Vestas Wind Systems (2.17%), Doral Group Renewable Energy Resources (2.13%), Mega Or Holdings, Siemens Energy, ABB and Tokyo Electron. Japan made up about 41% of assets, Israel 16% and Australia 10%. The fund reshuffles its holdings about once a month based on momentum, so these names and weights can change quickly.