EYLD vs. FEMS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EYLD (Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF) and FEMS (First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. EYLD is actively managed, while FEMS is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EYLD returned 10.67%/yr vs 5.02%/yr for FEMS. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EYLD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEMS.

Performance

EYLD vs. FEMS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD) and First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EYLD achieves a 25.88% return, which is significantly higher than FEMS's 12.92% return.

EYLD

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 5.42%
• YTD: 25.88%
• 6M: 27.14%
• 1Y: 44.58%
• 3Y*: 25.83%
• 5Y*: 10.67%
• 10Y*: —

FEMS

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 0.93%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 13.60%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: 14.00%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 9.75%

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

EYLD vs. FEMS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EYLD Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF	25.88%	29.39%	4.72%	18.77%	-16.10%	11.44%	10.13%	22.00%	-13.74%	34.90%
FEMS First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	12.92%	16.48%	1.88%	3.55%	1.85%	3.76%	7.85%	28.88%	-22.63%	49.02%

Correlation

The correlation between EYLD and FEMS is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2016	0.68

The correlation between EYLD and FEMS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

EYLD vs. FEMS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EYLD	FEMS
Financial Services	21.6%	5.3%
Technology	21.5%	16.4%
Industrials	16.7%	16.2%
Energy	6.6%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	14.9%
Utilities	4.5%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.1%	6.8%
Communication Services	2.6%	4.4%
Real Estate	2.0%	7.6%
Healthcare	1.9%	3.0%
Basic Materials	1.2%	11.7%

Return for Risk

EYLD vs. FEMS — Risk / Return Rank

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

EYLD

EYLD Risk / Return Rank: 77
EYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
EYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 76
EYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FEMS

FEMS Risk / Return Rank: 49
FEMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FEMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FEMS Omega Ratio Rank: 46
FEMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
FEMS Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

EYLD vs. FEMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD) and First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS). 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.

	EYLD	FEMS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.58	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	2.16	+0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.29	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.26	2.90	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.40	7.35	+8.06

EYLD vs. FEMS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the FEMS Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EYLD and FEMS, 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

EYLD vs. FEMS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EYLD drawdown since its inception was -41.82%, smaller than the maximum FEMS drawdown of -47.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EYLD and FEMS.

Drawdown Indicators

	EYLD	FEMS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.82%	-47.85%	+6.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.52%	-8.98%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.89%	-21.09%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.02%	-26.43%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	-4.23%	+2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.25%	-17.37%	+7.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	3.54%	-0.64%

Volatility

EYLD vs. FEMS - Volatility Comparison

Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF (EYLD) has a higher volatility of 8.78% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) at 7.07%. This indicates that EYLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEMS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EYLD	FEMS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.78%	7.07%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.58%	14.11%	+2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.17%	16.55%	+2.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.54%	17.83%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.75%	20.02%	+1.73%

EYLD vs. FEMS - Expense Ratio Comparison

EYLD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FEMS's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

EYLD vs. FEMS - Dividend Comparison

EYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.83%, more than FEMS's 4.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EYLD Cambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF	4.83%	5.40%	5.16%	5.54%	6.97%	7.27%	3.02%	4.21%	7.87%	2.77%	0.75%	0.00%
FEMS First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	4.25%	4.27%	3.97%	4.65%	4.55%	6.25%	2.90%	4.37%	4.68%	3.39%	2.42%	3.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EYLD and FEMS in my portfolio?

EYLD and FEMS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EYLD or FEMS?

EYLD has higher volatility (8.78%) compared to FEMS (7.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EYLD dropped -41.82% vs FEMS's -47.85%.

Which ETF is better, EYLD or FEMS?

On 5-year performance, EYLD leads with 10.67% vs 5.02% for FEMS. On fees, EYLD is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FEMS has been the lower-risk option at 7.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EYLD or FEMS?

Over the 5-year period, EYLD has performed better with a 10.67% return vs 5.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EYLD or FEMS?

EYLD is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EYLD or FEMS?

EYLD has the higher dividend yield at 4.83%, compared with 4.25% for FEMS.

What is the main difference between EYLD and FEMS?

They also come from different issuers: Cambria and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EYLD and 0.80% for FEMS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.58), 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.