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FEM vs. BNO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FEM vs. BNO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) and BNO (United States Brent Oil Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - FEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while BNO is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Brent Crude Oil. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEM returned 9.75%/yr vs 13.60%/yr for BNO. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FEM charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for BNO.

Performance

FEM vs. BNO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEM achieves a 20.43% return, which is significantly lower than BNO's 90.47% return. Over the past 10 years, FEM has underperformed BNO with an annualized return of 9.75%, while BNO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.60% annualized return.

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%

BNO

1D
1.99%
1M
-10.29%
YTD
90.47%
6M
86.00%
1Y
91.89%
3Y*
27.93%
5Y*
24.16%
10Y*
13.60%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FEM vs. BNO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
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%
BNO
United States Brent Oil Fund LP		90.47%-5.44%9.67%-3.43%35.25%62.34%-38.23%36.01%-15.30%15.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FEM and BNO is -0.23, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.23

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.03

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.12

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.22

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2011

0.29

The correlation between FEM and BNO shifts across timeframes, from -0.23 (1 year) to 0.29 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund

United States Brent Oil Fund LP

Often compared with FEM:
FEM vs. FPADXFEM vs. RFEMFEM vs. VWOFEM vs. FDEMFEM vs. AVEMFEM vs. IQQE.DEFEM vs. SPEM
Often compared with BNO:
BNO vs. USOBNO vs. XLEBNO vs. USLBNO vs. BOILBNO vs. UNGBNO vs. UCOBNO vs. XOM

Return for Risk

FEM vs. BNO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FEM
FEM Risk / Return Rank: 7676
Overall Rank
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
BNO
BNO Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
BNO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BNO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
BNO Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
BNO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8888
Calmar Ratio Rank
BNO Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

FEM vs. BNO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) and United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO). 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.

FEMBNODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.45
2.23

+0.22

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.11
2.73

+0.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.43

1.38

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.58

5.17

-0.59

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.35

9.76

+7.59

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEM vs. BNO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the BNO Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEM and BNO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

FEMBNODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.45

2.23

+0.22

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.40

0.69

-0.29

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

0.37

+0.09

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.19

0.14

+0.05

Drawdowns

FEM vs. BNO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEM drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, smaller than the maximum BNO drawdown of -87.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEM and BNO.

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Drawdown Indicators

FEMBNODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.23%

-87.06%

+40.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.31%

-17.87%

+8.56%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.79%

-23.75%

+4.96%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-31.72%

-33.70%

+1.98%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.23%

-75.18%

+28.95%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.46%

-10.29%

+7.83%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.04%

-40.17%

+25.13%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.45%

9.45%

-7.00%

Volatility

FEM vs. BNO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) is 6.18%, while United States Brent Oil Fund LP (BNO) has a volatility of 14.22%. This indicates that FEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BNO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FEMBNODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.18%

14.22%

-8.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.47%

36.10%

-21.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.40%

41.46%

-24.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.39%

35.38%

-16.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.96%

36.68%

-15.72%

FEM vs. BNO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEM has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than BNO's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEM vs. BNO - Dividend Comparison

FEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, while BNO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BNO
United States Brent Oil Fund LP		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
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

FEM and BNO have a correlation of -0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BNO has higher volatility (14.22%) compared to FEM (6.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEM dropped -46.23% vs BNO's -87.06%.

On 10-year performance, BNO leads with 13.60% vs 9.75% for FEM. On fees, FEM is cheaper at 0.80% 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.

Over the 10-year period, BNO has performed better with a 13.60% return vs 9.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

FEM is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.90% for BNO.

FEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 0.00% for BNO.

FEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while BNO is Oil & Gas. FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while BNO tracks Front Month Brent Crude Oil. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEM and 0.90% for BNO.

FEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.23), 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.

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