BBEM vs. RNEM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

BBEM (JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and RNEM (First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - BBEM tracks the Morningstar Emerging Markets Target Market Exposure Index - Benchmark TR Net while RNEM tracks the Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BBEM returned 17.55%/yr vs 6.73%/yr for RNEM. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. BBEM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RNEM.

Performance

BBEM vs. RNEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM) 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, BBEM achieves a 17.16% return, which is significantly higher than RNEM's 3.95% return.

BBEM

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -2.28%
• 6M: 9.39%
• YTD: 17.16%
• 1Y: 34.07%
• 3Y*: 17.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.69%

RNEM

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 4.02%
• 6M: 1.40%
• YTD: 3.95%
• 1Y: 9.33%
• 3Y*: 6.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.46%

*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)
BBEM JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$4.42M	$2.79M	$2.95M
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	$35.85K	$33.48K	$54.35K

BBEM vs. RNEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BBEM JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF	17.16%	32.43%	5.61%	6.01%
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	3.95%	15.58%	-1.47%	11.48%

Correlation

The correlation between BBEM and RNEM is 0.72, 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.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2023	0.76

The correlation between BBEM and RNEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBEM vs. RNEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBEM	RNEM
Technology	25.0%	6.5%
Financial Services	12.2%	36.0%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	10.0%
Communication Services	4.6%	8.5%
Basic Materials	3.5%	13.8%
Industrials	3.2%	4.1%
Energy	1.8%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	5.9%
Utilities	1.5%	3.4%
Healthcare	1.3%	4.5%
Real Estate	0.6%	0.8%

Return for Risk

BBEM vs. RNEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBEM

BBEM Risk / Return Rank: 62
BBEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
BBEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
BBEM Omega Ratio Rank: 62
BBEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
BBEM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

RNEM

RNEM Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
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.

BBEM vs. RNEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM) 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.

	BBEM	RNEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	0.75	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	1.14	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.14	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	0.87	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.64	2.31	+5.33

BBEM vs. RNEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is higher than the RNEM Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBEM 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

BBEM vs. RNEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBEM drawdown since its inception was -17.42%, smaller than the maximum RNEM drawdown of -38.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBEM and RNEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBEM	RNEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-38.38%	+20.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.37%	-10.71%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.42%	-13.09%	-4.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.54%	-2.33%	-7.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.84%	-9.23%	+5.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	4.04%	+0.33%

Volatility

BBEM vs. RNEM - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM) has a higher volatility of 8.89% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) at 3.15%. This indicates that BBEM'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

	BBEM	RNEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.89%	3.15%	+5.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.92%	10.89%	+11.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.91%	12.51%	+11.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.86%	14.47%	+4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.86%	17.14%	+1.72%

BBEM vs. RNEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBEM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than RNEM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBEM vs. RNEM - Dividend Comparison

BBEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.95%, more than RNEM's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBEM JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF	4.95%	5.86%	2.73%	1.94%	0.00%	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 BBEM and RNEM in my portfolio?

BBEM and RNEM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBEM or RNEM?

BBEM has higher volatility (8.89%) compared to RNEM (3.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBEM dropped -17.42% vs RNEM's -38.38%.

Which ETF is better, BBEM or RNEM?

On 3-year performance, BBEM leads with 17.55% vs 6.73% for RNEM. On fees, BBEM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, RNEM has been the lower-risk option at 3.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBEM or RNEM?

Over the 3-year period, BBEM has performed better with a 17.55% return vs 6.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBEM or RNEM?

BBEM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for RNEM.

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

BBEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.95%, compared with 2.28% for RNEM.

What is the main difference between BBEM and RNEM?

BBEM tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Target Market Exposure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while RNEM tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for BBEM and 0.75% for RNEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.75), 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.