FEMS vs. EVLU
FEMS (First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund) and EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FEMS tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Small Cap Index while EVLU tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FEMS returned 24.48% vs 72.04% for EVLU. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FEMS charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EVLU.
Performance
FEMS vs. EVLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FEMS achieves a 12.16% return, which is significantly lower than EVLU's 34.01% 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%
EVLU
- 1D
- -2.27%
- 1M
- 15.31%
- YTD
- 34.01%
- 6M
- 37.37%
- 1Y
- 72.04%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEMS vs. EVLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
FEMS First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund | 12.16% | 16.48% | -0.74% |
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 34.01% | 38.54% | 1.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between FEMS and EVLU is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2024 | 0.73 |
The correlation between FEMS and EVLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FEMS vs. EVLU — Risk / Return Rank
FEMS
EVLU
FEMS vs. EVLU - 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 iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU). 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 | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.67 | -0.39 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.86 | 5.61 | -2.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.50 | 20.79 | -13.28 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| FEMS | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.55 | 3.80 | -2.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.48 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.27 | 2.23 | -1.96 |
Drawdowns
FEMS vs. EVLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FEMS drawdown since its inception was -47.85%, which is greater than EVLU's maximum drawdown of -17.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEMS and EVLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FEMS | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.85% | -17.17% | -30.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.59% | -12.90% | +4.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.09% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.89% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -47.85% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.88% | -2.27% | -2.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.41% | -3.48% | -13.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.27% | 3.48% | -0.21% |
Volatility
FEMS vs. EVLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) is 6.37%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that FEMS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EVLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FEMS | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.37% | 9.17% | -2.80% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.98% | 16.23% | -3.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.84% | 19.04% | -3.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.79% | 19.93% | -2.14% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.97% | 19.93% | +0.04% |
FEMS vs. EVLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
FEMS has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EVLU's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
FEMS vs. EVLU - Dividend Comparison
FEMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.28%, more than EVLU's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 3.88% | 5.20% | 1.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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
FEMS and EVLU have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EVLU has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to FEMS (6.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEMS dropped -47.85% vs EVLU's -17.17%.
On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 72.04% vs 24.48% for FEMS. On fees, EVLU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, FEMS has been the lower-risk option at 6.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 72.04% return vs 24.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EVLU is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEMS.
FEMS has the higher dividend yield at 4.28%, compared with 3.88% for EVLU.
FEMS tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Small Cap Index, while EVLU tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FEMS and 0.35% for EVLU.
EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.80 vs 1.55), 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.
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