AVSE vs. RNEM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AVSE (Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and RNEM (First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - AVSE tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while RNEM tracks the Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSE returned 20.73%/yr vs 7.48%/yr for RNEM. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. AVSE charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RNEM.

Performance

AVSE vs. RNEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) and First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVSE achieves a 17.48% return, which is significantly higher than RNEM's 4.10% return.

AVSE

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: -2.96%
• 6M: 8.96%
• YTD: 17.48%
• 1Y: 32.99%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.59%

RNEM

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 4.17%
• 6M: 0.60%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 1Y: 9.49%
• 3Y*: 7.48%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.47%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$1.09M	$1.10M	$1.10M
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	$36.95K	$31.61K	$54.56K

AVSE vs. RNEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	17.48%	32.54%	8.29%	16.01%	-14.43%
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	4.10%	15.58%	-1.47%	23.43%	-10.40%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSE and RNEM is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022	0.79

The correlation between AVSE and RNEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSE vs. RNEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSE	RNEM
Technology	44.0%	6.5%
Financial Services	22.8%	36.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	10.0%
Industrials	6.7%	4.1%
Communication Services	5.4%	8.5%
Healthcare	3.4%	4.5%
Basic Materials	2.7%	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	5.9%
Real Estate	2.2%	0.8%
Utilities	1.1%	3.4%
Energy	0.1%	6.5%

Return for Risk

AVSE vs. RNEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AVSE

AVSE Risk / Return Rank: 56
AVSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AVSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
AVSE Omega Ratio Rank: 58
AVSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
AVSE Martin Ratio Rank: 56

RNEM

RNEM Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
RNEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
RNEM Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RNEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
RNEM Martin Ratio Rank: 28

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AVSE vs. RNEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) and First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AVSE	RNEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	0.76	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	1.16	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.14	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	0.89	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.01	2.35	+4.66

AVSE vs. RNEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSE Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is higher than the RNEM Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSE and RNEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVSE vs. RNEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSE drawdown since its inception was -26.28%, smaller than the maximum RNEM drawdown of -38.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSE and RNEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSE	RNEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.28%	-38.38%	+12.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.82%	-10.71%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.68%	-13.09%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.34%	-2.19%	-8.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.82%	-9.22%	+2.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.72%	4.04%	+0.68%

Volatility

AVSE vs. RNEM - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) has a higher volatility of 9.16% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) at 3.09%. This indicates that AVSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RNEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVSE	RNEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.16%	3.09%	+6.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.85%	10.83%	+11.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.98%	12.51%	+11.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	14.47%	+4.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.05%	17.14%	+1.91%

AVSE vs. RNEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVSE has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than RNEM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVSE vs. RNEM - Dividend Comparison

AVSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, less than RNEM's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.14%	2.68%	3.03%	3.20%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	2.28%	2.75%	3.45%	1.63%	2.99%	3.20%	3.01%	2.85%	2.85%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSE and RNEM in my portfolio?

AVSE and RNEM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVSE or RNEM?

AVSE has higher volatility (9.16%) compared to RNEM (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSE dropped -26.28% vs RNEM's -38.38%.

Which ETF is better, AVSE or RNEM?

On 3-year performance, AVSE leads with 20.73% vs 7.48% for RNEM. On fees, AVSE is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, RNEM has been the lower-risk option at 3.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSE or RNEM?

Over the 3-year period, AVSE has performed better with a 20.73% return vs 7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSE or RNEM?

AVSE is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for RNEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVSE or RNEM?

RNEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.28%, compared with 2.14% for AVSE.

What is the main difference between AVSE and RNEM?

AVSE tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while RNEM tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVSE and 0.75% for RNEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.76), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.