FEM vs. EVLU
FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) and EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FEM tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index while EVLU tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FEM returned 41.40% vs 68.50% for EVLU. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FEM charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EVLU.
Performance
FEM vs. EVLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEM achieves a 20.27% return, which is significantly lower than EVLU's 32.77% return.
FEM
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- -1.96%
- YTD
- 20.27%
- 6M
- 22.14%
- 1Y
- 41.40%
- 3Y*
- 20.55%
- 5Y*
- 7.31%
- 10Y*
- 9.68%
EVLU
- 1D
- -0.92%
- 1M
- 10.76%
- YTD
- 32.77%
- 6M
- 35.00%
- 1Y
- 68.50%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEM vs. EVLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund | 20.27% | 28.36% | 0.05% |
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 32.77% | 38.54% | 1.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEM and EVLU is 0.77, 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 | 0.77 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2024 | 0.80 |
The correlation between FEM and EVLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FEM vs. EVLU — Risk / Return Rank
FEM
EVLU
FEM vs. EVLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU). 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.
| FEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.48 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.64 | -0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.47 | 5.34 | -0.87 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.89 | 19.73 | -2.84 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.39 | 3.61 | -1.22 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.19 | 2.19 | -2.00 |
Drawdowns
FEM vs. EVLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEM drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, which is greater than EVLU's maximum drawdown of -17.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEM and EVLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -46.23% | -17.17% | -29.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.31% | -12.90% | +3.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.79% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.72% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.23% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.59% | -3.18% | +0.59% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.04% | -3.48% | -11.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.46% | 3.48% | -1.02% |
Volatility
FEM vs. EVLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) is 6.05%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) has a volatility of 8.93%. This indicates that FEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EVLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.05% | 8.93% | -2.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.47% | 16.27% | -1.80% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.39% | 19.07% | -1.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.39% | 19.92% | -1.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.96% | 19.92% | +1.04% |
FEM vs. EVLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEM has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EVLU's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEM vs. EVLU - Dividend Comparison
FEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than EVLU's 3.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 3.92% | 5.20% | 1.03% | 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 EVLU have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EVLU has higher volatility (8.93%) compared to FEM (6.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEM dropped -46.23% vs EVLU's -17.17%.
On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 68.50% vs 41.40% for FEM. On fees, EVLU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 68.50% return vs 41.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EVLU is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.
EVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.92%, compared with 2.58% for FEM.
FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while EVLU tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEM and 0.35% for EVLU.
EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 2.39), 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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