IQM vs. TRFK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQM (Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF) and TRFK (Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQM is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while TRFK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Pacer Data Transmission and Communication Revolution Index - Benchmark TR Net. IQM is actively managed, while TRFK is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQM returned 37.62%/yr vs 54.15%/yr for TRFK. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQM charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for TRFK.

Performance

IQM vs. TRFK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQM achieves a 40.18% return, which is significantly lower than TRFK's 69.94% return.

IQM

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 11.94%
• YTD: 40.18%
• 6M: 38.57%
• 1Y: 75.07%
• 3Y*: 37.62%
• 5Y*: 22.22%
• 10Y*: —

TRFK

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 31.98%
• YTD: 69.94%
• 6M: 62.01%
• 1Y: 103.92%
• 3Y*: 54.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IQM vs. TRFK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	40.18%	30.76%	31.03%	41.06%	-2.65%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	69.94%	26.81%	38.30%	66.63%	-10.61%

Correlation

The correlation between IQM and TRFK is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 2022	0.91

The correlation between IQM and TRFK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQM vs. TRFK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQM	TRFK
Technology	65.9%	91.8%
Industrials	19.9%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.1%	-
Utilities	3.3%	-
Energy	2.7%	-
Communication Services	2.1%	-
Healthcare	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

IQM vs. TRFK — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IQM

IQM Risk / Return Rank: 78
IQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
IQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IQM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
IQM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

TRFK

TRFK Risk / Return Rank: 86
TRFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
TRFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
TRFK Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TRFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
TRFK Martin Ratio Rank: 69

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IQM vs. TRFK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) and Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	IQM	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	3.78	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	4.39	-1.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.55	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.13	5.34	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.79	12.82	+3.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQM vs. TRFK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQM Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is comparable to the TRFK Sharpe Ratio of 3.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQM and TRFK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IQM	TRFK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	3.78	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.96	1.58	-0.62

Drawdowns

IQM vs. TRFK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQM drawdown since its inception was -44.91%, which is greater than TRFK's maximum drawdown of -29.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQM and TRFK.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQM	TRFK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.91%	-29.06%	-15.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.71%	-19.56%	+4.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.42%	-29.06%	-1.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.91%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.06%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-6.04%	-6.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	8.13%	-3.64%

Volatility

IQM vs. TRFK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF (IQM) is 9.20%, while Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF (TRFK) has a volatility of 9.93%. This indicates that IQM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TRFK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQM	TRFK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.20%	9.93%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.92%	21.73%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.27%	27.70%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.91%	28.91%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.72%	28.91%	+1.81%

IQM vs. TRFK - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQM has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than TRFK's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQM vs. TRFK - Dividend Comparison

IQM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TRFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.01%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IQM Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.17%	0.01%
TRFK Pacer Data and Digital Revolution ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.40%	0.20%	0.56%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQM and TRFK in my portfolio?

IQM and TRFK have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQM or TRFK?

TRFK has higher volatility (9.93%) compared to IQM (9.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQM dropped -44.91% vs TRFK's -29.06%.

Which ETF is better, IQM or TRFK?

On 3-year performance, TRFK leads with 54.15% vs 37.62% for IQM. On fees, IQM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, IQM has been the lower-risk option at 9.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQM or TRFK?

Over the 3-year period, TRFK has performed better with a 54.15% return vs 37.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQM or TRFK?

IQM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for TRFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQM or TRFK?

TRFK has the higher dividend yield at 0.01%, compared with 0.00% for IQM.

What is the main difference between IQM and TRFK?

IQM is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while TRFK is Technology Equities. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IQM and 0.60% for TRFK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TRFK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 2.67), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.