First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB)

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The chart shows the growth of an initial investment of $10,000 in First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF, comparing it to the performance of the S&P 500 index or another benchmark. All prices have been adjusted for splits and dividends.

First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) has returned -2.12% so far this year and 13.41% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, FEMB has returned 1.94% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 12.16% annually.

Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Nov 5, 2014, FEMB's average daily return is +0.01%, while the average monthly return is +0.12%. At this rate, your investment would double in approximately 48.2 years.

Historically, 50% of months were positive and 50% were negative. The best month was Mar 2016 with a return of +8.8%, while the worst month was Mar 2020 at -13.8%. The longest winning streak lasted 7 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 5 months.

On a daily basis, FEMB closed higher 46% of trading days. The best single day was Jun 9, 2016 with a return of +5.0%, while the worst single day was Mar 9, 2020 at -5.9%.

First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF has an annualized alpha of -0.97%, beta of 0.20, and R² of 0.10 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since November 06, 2014.

• This ETF participated in 58.56% of S&P 500 Index downside but only 30.31% of its upside — more exposed to losses than it benefited from rallies.
• Beta of 0.20 may look defensive, but with R² of 0.10 this ETF is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index — low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this ETF's risk.
• R² of 0.10 means this ETF moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index — capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.

FEMB has an expense ratio of 0.85%, placing it in the medium range.

FEMB ranks 75 for risk / return — better than 75% of ETFs on our site. You're getting solid returns for the risk taken. A good sign, especially for investors who want growth without excessive volatility.

The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) and compare them to a chosen benchmark (S&P 500 Index).

First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF provided a 6.00% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $1.73 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 2 consecutive years.

The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.

The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.

The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.

The maximum drawdown for the First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF was 30.44%, occurring on Oct 19, 2022. Recovery took 725 trading sessions.

The current First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF drawdown is 6.52%.

The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.