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. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEMB charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BREM.
Performance
FEMB vs. BREM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEMB achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than BREM's 3.77% return.
FEMB
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- 0.53%
- YTD
- 0.58%
- 6M
- 0.72%
- 1Y
- 10.10%
- 3Y*
- 6.76%
- 5Y*
- 2.12%
- 10Y*
- 1.85%
BREM
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- 1.52%
- YTD
- 3.77%
- 6M
- 3.87%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEMB vs. BREM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 0.58% | 2.98% |
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.77% | 2.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEMB and BREM is 0.61, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025 | 0.61 |
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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 | 1.22 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.34 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.06 | — | — |
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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 | -25.93% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.44% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.93% | -0.58% | -3.35% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.90% | -0.63% | -9.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.49% | — | — |
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 | 2.86% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.89% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 8.61% | 5.61% | +3.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.27% | 5.61% | +4.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.85% | 5.61% | +5.24% |
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 6.06%, more than BREM's 3.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.89% | 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 | 6.06% | 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 BREM have a correlation of 0.61, 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 6.06%, compared with 3.89% 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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