FEMB vs. BREM
FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) and BREM (iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FEMB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BREM.
Performance
FEMB vs. BREM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FEMB having a 2.20% return and BREM slightly higher at 2.28%.
FEMB
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.67%
- 6M
- -0.39%
- YTD
- 2.20%
- 1Y
- 9.79%
- 3Y*
- 6.39%
- 5Y*
- 2.76%
- 10Y*
- 1.90%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.09%
BREM
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- -1.49%
- 6M
- 1.05%
- YTD
- 2.28%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- —
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32.42K | $36.50K | $28.95K | |
| $2.81M | $3.29M | $2.60M |
FEMB vs. BREM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 2.20% | 2.98% |
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 2.28% | 2.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEMB and BREM is 0.60, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025 | 0.60 |
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Return for Risk
FEMB vs. BREM — Risk / Return Rank
FEMB
BREM
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
FEMB vs. BREM - 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 iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM). 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.
| FEMB | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.35 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.90 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
FEMB vs. BREM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEMB drawdown since its inception was -30.44%, which is greater than BREM's maximum drawdown of -4.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEMB and BREM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FEMB | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.44% | -4.54% | -25.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.58% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.13% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.15% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.39% | -2.01% | -0.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.84% | -0.68% | -9.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.62% | — | — |
Volatility
FEMB vs. BREM - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| FEMB | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.79% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.95% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.20% | 5.38% | +2.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.23% | 5.38% | +4.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.66% | 5.38% | +5.28% |
FEMB vs. BREM - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEMB has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than BREM's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEMB vs. BREM - Dividend Comparison
FEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.19%, more than BREM's 4.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 4.48% | 1.19% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.19% | 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 BREM have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, BREM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
BREM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FEMB.
FEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.19%, compared with 4.48% for BREM.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FEMB and 0.50% for BREM.
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