PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MFEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MFEM
MFEM charges 0.49% annually. There are 35 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | MFEM vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | MFEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | MFEM vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | MFEM vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | MFEM vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MFEM
MFEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 53. There are 37 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 88 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | MFEM vs GEME | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 88 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | MFEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 87 | — | Sep 2024 | MFEM vs EVLU | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 82 | 102.15M | Jun 2011 | MFEM vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 79 | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | MFEM vs EMXC |
Top Performing MFEM Alternatives (YTD)
MFEM is at 18.46% YTD. There are 24 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 36.43% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | MFEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 30.46% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | MFEM vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 28.05% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | MFEM vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 27.89% | 1.97B | Sep 2015 | MFEM vs XCEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 25.92% | — | Sep 2024 | MFEM vs EVLU |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MFEM
MFEM has 22.00% 1-year volatility. There are 45 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.57%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.57% | — | Jun 2025 | MFEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.79% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MFEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.50% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | MFEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | MFEM vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.79% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | MFEM vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MFEM
MFEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -12.86%. There are 36 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -6.72% | — | Jun 2025 | MFEM vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | MFEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | MFEM vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | MFEM vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MFEM vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from PIMCO
The 10 most viewed PIMCO ETFs shown here include MINT, PYLD, BOND and span 10 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $16B.
Often Compared With MFEM
Investors most often compare MFEM with ZPRV.DE, FLXE.L, FLXE.DE. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MFEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MFEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MFEM with funds that move differently
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MFEM.
Explore MFEM Diversifiers