Is INCM a good ETF?
INCM is the BetaShares S&P Global High Dividend Aristocrats ETF from BetaShares. It tracks the S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats Index. We classify it under Intl, Thematic, and Dividend. With about $102 million in assets it is a solidly established fund.
On a total-return basis, INCM has delivered 12.09% a year over 5 years (ranked 28th of 188 ETFs we track), 15.08% a year over 3 years (ranked 60th of 226 ETFs we track), and 13.91% a year over 1 year (ranked 87th of 308 ETFs we track). Its strongest showing is over 5 years, where it sits in the top 15% of all ETFs we track.
The management fee of 0.39% is reasonable. That's cheaper than the typical 0.48% for similar ETFs. If cost is your priority, SYI (0.2%), VHY (0.25%), and VIHY (0.3%) cover similar ground for less. It pays a healthy 5.05% yield, attractive if you want regular income. Bear in mind distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate, so a high yield is less tax-efficient for higher earners and during the accumulation phase.
Over the past 5 years its volatility has been moderate (annualised standard deviation around 10.88%), meaning the kind of swings you'd expect from a diversified equity fund. Its 5-year Sharpe ratio of 0.82 is reasonable — that's the return it has earned per unit of risk taken (higher is better).
Strengths
- Top-15% returns over 5 years (28th of 188 ETFs we track).
- Low-cost: a 0.39% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
- Pays a useful 5.05% income yield.
Things to watch
- Cheaper alternatives exist: SYI, VHY, and VIHY.
- Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.
What INCM's categories mean for you
How each category this ETF belongs to tends to behave across market cycles.
Global and international shares from outside Australia — broadening you into thousands of companies and the sectors (tech, healthcare) the local market lacks.
- Market regime
- Essential diversification away from the bank-and-resources-heavy ASX. Unhedged versions carry currency risk; hedged versions remove it at a small cost.
- In a portfolio
- A core holding for almost every long-term Australian portfolio.
A concentrated bet on a single trend — AI, battery tech, cybersecurity, robotics and the like. High conviction, high concentration, and often high fees.
- Market regime
- Frequently launched after a theme is already hot, which has historically been a poor entry point. Expect very large swings in both directions.
- In a portfolio
- A small satellite position at most. Treat it as a speculative tilt, never as a core holding.
Targets higher-yielding, cash-generative companies. Popular with retirees and income investors, and in Australia often comes with valuable franking credits.
- Market regime
- Tilts toward 'value' sectors such as banks, resources and utilities. Can lag in growth-led bull markets and concentrate risk, but tends to be more defensive when markets fall.
- In a portfolio
- Good for investors who want income now. Note the higher distributions are taxable each year, which is less efficient for those in higher brackets and in the accumulation phase.
General information only, generated from the fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.