AAVM vs. MFEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM).

AAVM and MFEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AAVM is an actively managed fund by Alpha Architect. It was launched on May 2, 2017. MFEM is a passively managed fund by PIMCO that tracks the performance of the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index. It was launched on Aug 31, 2017.

Performance

AAVM vs. MFEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AAVM vs. MFEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	6.19%	18.54%	12.07%	-0.74%	-7.00%	3.52%	4.69%	4.59%	-15.64%	10.88%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	8.20%	25.33%	4.73%	15.14%	-19.50%	10.77%	11.33%	15.26%	-14.64%	4.82%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAVM achieves a 6.19% return, which is significantly lower than MFEM's 8.20% return.

AAVM

• 1D: 3.68%
• 1M: -7.57%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: —

MFEM

• 1D: 2.92%
• 1M: -9.87%
• YTD: 8.20%
• 6M: 12.54%
• 1Y: 35.23%
• 3Y*: 16.17%
• 5Y*: 6.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

AAVM vs. MFEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAVM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than MFEM's 0.49% expense ratio.

MFEM

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF

AAVM

Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF

Return for Risk

AAVM vs. MFEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AAVM

AAVM Risk / Return Rank: 84
AAVM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AAVM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AAVM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AAVM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AAVM Martin Ratio Rank: 87

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 88
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

AAVM vs. MFEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). 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.

	AAVM	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.89	-0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.47	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.37	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	2.71	-0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.49	10.38	+0.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AAVM vs. MFEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAVM Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the MFEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAVM and MFEM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AAVM	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	1.89	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.40	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.32	-0.04

Correlation

The correlation between AAVM and MFEM is 0.60, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

AAVM vs. MFEM - Dividend Comparison

AAVM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.93%, less than MFEM's 2.56% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AAVM Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF	1.93%	2.05%	2.54%	4.13%	2.24%	0.82%	0.00%	1.76%	0.93%	0.81%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.56%	2.77%	5.89%	4.01%	7.01%	29.96%	1.70%	2.37%	1.18%	0.21%

Drawdowns

AAVM vs. MFEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAVM drawdown since its inception was -34.71%, smaller than the maximum MFEM drawdown of -43.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAVM and MFEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AAVM	MFEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.71%	-43.32%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.08%	-12.86%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.73%	-31.39%	+7.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.57%	-10.31%	+2.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-11.67%	-1.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.36%	-0.40%

Volatility

AAVM vs. MFEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Alpha Architect Global Factor Equity ETF (AAVM) is 8.08%, while PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) has a volatility of 10.30%. This indicates that AAVM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AAVM	MFEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.08%	10.30%	-2.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.74%	14.44%	-2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.83%	18.72%	+0.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.65%	16.12%	-0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.82%	19.22%	-4.40%