Harbor ETF Trust (EPEM) is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks long-term total return by investing primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of emerging markets companies. The fund, subadvised by EARNEST Partners, offers exposure to emerging markets equities through common stocks and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs); it targets companies demonstrating discipline, adaptability, and long-term orientation amid shifting global economic and political landscapes. Launched in June 2025 and listed on the NYSE Arca, EPEM operates with an expense ratio of 0.84% and focuses on sectors including basic materials and industrials, serving investors seeking international diversification beyond U.S. markets.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Harbor ETF Trust forms part of the broader Harbor Capital Advisors platform, which provides a suite of actively managed ETFs across various asset classes including equity, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies; it targets institutional and retail investors pursuing specialized expertise in thematic and regional opportunities. The Trust's geographic operations emphasize emerging markets such as those in Asia, Latin America, and other developing regions, with investments exposed to foreign securities risks including currency fluctuations and political instability.
In June 2025, Harbor Capital Advisors partnered with EARNEST Partners to launch EPEM alongside the Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN), marking a strategic expansion into international and emerging markets ETFs to capitalize on global reallocations. This alliance leverages EARNEST Partners' bottom-up research approach for active management; no further major acquisitions, funding rounds, or reorganizations have been reported for the Trust in the past year. Recent Harbor platform activities include ETF liquidations such as Disruptive Innovation and Energy Transition strategies in December 2024, alongside ongoing launches like the AlphaEdge Small Cap Earners ETF.