FEMS vs. BWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FEMS (First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and BWX (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FEMS is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Small Cap Index, while BWX is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FEMS returned 9.49%/yr vs -1.28%/yr for BWX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FEMS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for BWX.

Performance

FEMS vs. BWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEMS achieves a 12.16% return, which is significantly higher than BWX's -1.91% return. Over the past 10 years, FEMS has outperformed BWX with an annualized return of 9.49%, while BWX has yielded a comparatively lower -1.28% annualized return.

FEMS

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -0.95%
• YTD: 12.16%
• 6M: 11.13%
• 1Y: 24.48%
• 3Y*: 13.68%
• 5Y*: 4.43%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

BWX

• 1D: -0.59%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: -1.91%
• 6M: -1.77%
• 1Y: -2.28%
• 3Y*: 1.18%
• 5Y*: -4.48%
• 10Y*: -1.28%

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

FEMS vs. BWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FEMS First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	12.16%	16.48%	1.88%	3.55%	1.85%	3.76%	7.85%	28.88%	-22.63%	49.02%
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF	-1.91%	7.67%	-5.93%	5.10%	-19.72%	-8.67%	9.50%	5.58%	-1.85%	9.93%

Correlation

The correlation between FEMS and BWX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2012	0.22

Over the past year, FEMS and BWX have become more correlated (0.47) than their long-term average of 0.22, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

FEMS vs. BWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEMS

FEMS Risk / Return Rank: 47
FEMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FEMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FEMS Omega Ratio Rank: 43
FEMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
FEMS Martin Ratio Rank: 46

BWX

BWX Risk / Return Rank: 5
BWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
BWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
BWX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
BWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
BWX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

FEMS vs. BWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) and SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX). 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.

	FEMS	BWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	-0.30	+1.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	-0.38	+2.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	0.96	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	-0.37	+3.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	-0.76	+8.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FEMS vs. BWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEMS Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the BWX Sharpe Ratio of -0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEMS and BWX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FEMS	BWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	-0.30	+1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	-0.47	+0.72
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	-0.15	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.05	+0.22

Drawdowns

FEMS vs. BWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEMS drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, which is greater than BWX's maximum drawdown of -34.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEMS and BWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEMS	BWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.85%	-34.05%	-13.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.59%	-6.16%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.09%	-10.22%	-10.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.89%	-31.25%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.85%	-34.05%	-13.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.88%	-23.98%	+19.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.41%	-10.05%	-7.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	3.00%	+0.27%

Volatility

FEMS vs. BWX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) has a higher volatility of 6.37% compared to SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF (BWX) at 2.41%. This indicates that FEMS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEMS	BWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	2.41%	+3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.98%	5.79%	+7.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.84%	7.70%	+8.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.79%	9.69%	+8.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.97%	8.66%	+11.31%

FEMS vs. BWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEMS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than BWX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEMS vs. BWX - Dividend Comparison

FEMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than BWX's 2.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BWX SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Treasury Bond ETF	2.37%	2.19%	1.99%	1.63%	1.23%	0.93%	0.95%	1.16%	1.07%	0.46%	0.00%	0.00%
FEMS First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund	4.28%	4.27%	3.97%	4.65%	4.55%	6.25%	2.90%	4.37%	4.68%	3.39%	2.42%	3.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEMS and BWX in my portfolio?

FEMS and BWX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEMS or BWX?

FEMS has higher volatility (6.37%) compared to BWX (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEMS dropped -47.85% vs BWX's -34.05%.

Which ETF is better, FEMS or BWX?

On 10-year performance, FEMS leads with 9.49% vs -1.28% for BWX. On fees, BWX is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, BWX has been the lower-risk option at 2.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEMS or BWX?

Over the 10-year period, FEMS has performed better with a 9.49% return vs -1.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEMS or BWX?

BWX is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEMS or BWX?

FEMS has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 2.37% for BWX.

What is the main difference between FEMS and BWX?

FEMS is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while BWX is International Government Bonds. FEMS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Small Cap Index, while BWX tracks Bloomberg Global Treasury x US Capped (Inception 8/31/2007). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEMS and 0.35% for BWX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEMS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs -0.30), 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.