ECON vs. FEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ECON (Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF) and FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ECON tracks the Dow Jones Emerging Markets Consumer Titans Index while FEM tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ECON returned 6.10%/yr vs 9.75%/yr for FEM. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ECON charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.

Performance

ECON vs. FEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ECON achieves a 35.02% return, which is significantly higher than FEM's 20.43% return. Over the past 10 years, ECON has underperformed FEM with an annualized return of 6.10%, while FEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.75% annualized return.

ECON

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 13.52%
• YTD: 35.02%
• 6M: 38.26%
• 1Y: 65.21%
• 3Y*: 23.87%
• 5Y*: 7.11%
• 10Y*: 6.10%

FEM

• 1D: -1.38%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: 20.43%
• 6M: 22.40%
• 1Y: 42.41%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 9.75%

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

ECON vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ECON Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF	35.02%	34.15%	0.22%	7.51%	-16.00%	-14.11%	20.83%	17.22%	-26.87%	27.46%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	20.43%	28.36%	3.01%	10.84%	-14.24%	7.40%	-1.68%	20.55%	-15.51%	41.05%

Correlation

The correlation between ECON and FEM is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011	0.81

The correlation between ECON and FEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

ECON vs. FEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECON	FEM
Technology	30.4%	24.5%
Financial Services	24.5%	7.0%
Communication Services	10.2%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	5.7%
Basic Materials	7.1%	8.6%
Industrials	6.5%	20.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	2.8%
Energy	3.5%	14.1%
Healthcare	2.8%	3.1%
Utilities	1.4%	6.2%
Real Estate	1.4%	2.5%

Return for Risk

ECON vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECON

ECON Risk / Return Rank: 88
ECON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
ECON Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ECON Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ECON Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ECON Martin Ratio Rank: 86

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

ECON vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). 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.

	ECON	FEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.22	2.45	+0.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.16	3.11	+1.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.43	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.76	4.58	+0.19
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.83	17.35	+0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ECON vs. FEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECON Sharpe Ratio is 3.22, which is higher than the FEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECON and FEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ECON	FEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.22	2.45	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.40	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.47	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.19	+0.05

Drawdowns

ECON vs. FEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECON drawdown since its inception was -45.37%, roughly equal to the maximum FEM drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECON and FEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECON	FEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.37%	-46.23%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.76%	-9.31%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-18.79%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.08%	-31.72%	-6.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.37%	-46.23%	+0.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-2.46%	+1.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.65%	-15.04%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	2.45%	+1.22%

Volatility

ECON vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) has a higher volatility of 9.10% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) at 6.18%. This indicates that ECON's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ECON	FEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.10%	6.18%	+2.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.65%	14.47%	+3.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.38%	17.40%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.28%	18.39%	+1.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.03%	20.96%	+0.07%

ECON vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECON has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECON vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison

ECON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.31%, less than FEM's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECON Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF	1.31%	1.77%	0.76%	1.57%	2.06%	1.08%	0.63%	1.68%	0.98%	0.35%	0.74%	1.10%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	2.58%	3.13%	3.66%	4.96%	6.15%	4.15%	2.68%	3.31%	3.52%	2.45%	2.25%	3.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECON and FEM in my portfolio?

ECON and FEM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ECON or FEM?

ECON has higher volatility (9.10%) compared to FEM (6.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECON dropped -45.37% vs FEM's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, ECON or FEM?

On 10-year performance, FEM leads with 9.75% vs 6.10% for ECON. On fees, ECON is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, FEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECON or FEM?

Over the 10-year period, FEM has performed better with a 9.75% return vs 6.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECON or FEM?

ECON is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ECON or FEM?

FEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 1.31% for ECON.

What is the main difference between ECON and FEM?

ECON tracks Dow Jones Emerging Markets Consumer Titans Index, while FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ECON and 0.80% for FEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.22 vs 2.45), 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.