FEM vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FEM tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEM returned 10.00%/yr vs 9.96%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FEM charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

FEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEM achieves a 20.65% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 14.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FEM having a 10.00% annualized return and SPEM not far behind at 9.96%.

FEM

• 1D: 1.04%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 20.65%
• 6M: 20.82%
• 1Y: 42.19%
• 3Y*: 20.56%
• 5Y*: 7.94%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

SPEM

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 14.64%
• 6M: 15.36%
• 1Y: 33.19%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: 6.53%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

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

FEM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	20.65%	28.36%	3.01%	10.84%	-14.24%	7.40%	-1.68%	20.55%	-15.51%	41.05%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	14.64%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between FEM and SPEM is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2011	0.89

The correlation between FEM and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FEM vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FEM	SPEM
Technology	28.4%	32.1%
Industrials	19.8%	8.3%
Energy	12.9%	4.2%
Basic Materials	7.8%	8.0%
Financial Services	6.4%	19.2%
Utilities	6.1%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	9.6%
Communication Services	4.6%	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	3.6%
Healthcare	2.8%	3.7%
Real Estate	2.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

FEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 61
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	FEM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	1.99	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.70	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	2.93	+1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.81	10.51	+5.29

FEM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEM and SPEM, 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

FEM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEM drawdown since its inception was -46.23%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEM and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.23%	-64.41%	+18.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.31%	-11.36%	+2.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.79%	-17.62%	-1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.72%	-31.75%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.23%	-36.06%	-10.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.28%	0.00%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.01%	-14.72%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	3.16%	-0.48%

Volatility

FEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) has a higher volatility of 7.89% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 6.73%. This indicates that FEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.89%	6.73%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.85%	14.43%	+1.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.54%	16.77%	+1.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.60%	17.30%	+1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.01%	18.84%	+2.17%

FEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEM has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

FEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, less than SPEM's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	3.44%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEM and SPEM in my portfolio?

FEM and SPEM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEM or SPEM?

FEM has higher volatility (7.89%) compared to SPEM (6.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEM dropped -46.23% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, FEM or SPEM?

On 10-year performance, FEM leads with 10.00% vs 9.96% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEM or SPEM?

Over the 10-year period, FEM has performed better with a 10.00% return vs 9.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEM or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 2.58% for FEM.

What is the main difference between FEM and SPEM?

FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging BMI Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEM and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.99), 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.