FEMB vs. BND
FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. FEMB is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEMB returned 2.51%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for BND. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FEMB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
FEMB vs. BND - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEMB achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly higher than BND's 0.27% return. Over the past 10 years, FEMB has outperformed BND with an annualized return of 2.51%, while BND has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.
FEMB
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.88%
- 1Y
- 10.20%
- 3Y*
- 7.79%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 2.51%
BND
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 0.27%
- 6M
- 0.12%
- 1Y
- 5.11%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- 0.09%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
FEMB vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 0.60% | 21.77% | -5.61% | 17.12% | -10.50% | -13.40% | 3.16% | 11.52% | -7.19% | 11.92% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 0.27% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 3.57% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEMB and BND is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2014 | 0.23 |
The correlation between FEMB and BND shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (all time) to 0.45 (3 years), 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.
Return for Risk
FEMB vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
FEMB
BND
FEMB vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
| FEMB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.24 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | 1.92 | -0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.34 | 5.80 | -1.46 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FEMB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.22 | 1.36 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 | 0.01 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 | 0.29 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.09 | 0.59 | -0.50 |
Drawdowns
FEMB vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEMB drawdown since its inception was -30.44%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEMB and BND.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| FEMB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.44% | -18.58% | -11.86% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.58% | -2.68% | -4.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.13% | -5.92% | -4.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.85% | -17.91% | -9.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.44% | -18.58% | -11.86% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.91% | -2.37% | -1.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.93% | -3.06% | -6.87% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.35% | 0.88% | +1.47% |
Volatility
FEMB vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) has a higher volatility of 3.05% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 1.23%. This indicates that FEMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| FEMB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.05% | 1.23% | +1.82% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.57% | 2.66% | +3.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.36% | 3.78% | +4.58% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.26% | 6.02% | +4.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.99% | 5.53% | +5.46% |
FEMB vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEMB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEMB vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
FEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.06%, more than BND's 3.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 3.97% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.06% | 5.67% | 6.09% | 5.15% | 6.35% | 6.12% | 5.29% | 5.40% | 5.86% | 6.38% | 5.83% | 4.89% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FEMB and BND have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FEMB has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to BND (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEMB dropped -30.44% vs BND's -18.58%.
On 10-year performance, FEMB leads with 2.51% vs 1.58% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, FEMB has performed better with a 2.51% return vs 1.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FEMB.
FEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.06%, compared with 3.97% for BND.
FEMB is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FEMB and 0.03% for BND.
BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 1.22), 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.
Find the right allocation for FEMB and BND
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer