FGM vs. EIS
FGM (First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund) and EIS (iShares MSCI Israel ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FGM is a Europe Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX Germany Index, while EIS is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FGM returned 8.76%/yr vs 12.35%/yr for EIS. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FGM charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for EIS.
Performance
FGM vs. EIS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FGM achieves a 3.19% return, which is significantly lower than EIS's 18.11% return. Over the past 10 years, FGM has underperformed EIS with an annualized return of 8.76%, while EIS has yielded a comparatively higher 12.35% annualized return.
FGM
- 1D
- 1.21%
- 1M
- -2.19%
- YTD
- 3.19%
- 6M
- 4.60%
- 1Y
- 18.86%
- 3Y*
- 20.38%
- 5Y*
- 4.13%
- 10Y*
- 8.76%
EIS
- 1D
- 1.32%
- 1M
- -2.92%
- YTD
- 18.11%
- 6M
- 18.71%
- 1Y
- 61.04%
- 3Y*
- 33.86%
- 5Y*
- 15.01%
- 10Y*
- 12.35%
FGM vs. EIS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FGM First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund | 3.19% | 63.60% | 1.36% | 13.28% | -30.46% | 6.10% | 17.26% | 20.77% | -25.14% | 44.28% |
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF | 18.11% | 45.11% | 34.50% | 5.48% | -27.05% | 22.83% | 12.01% | 20.93% | -4.84% | 12.77% |
Correlation
The correlation between FGM and EIS is 0.55, 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 | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 17, 2012 | 0.50 |
The correlation between FGM and EIS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
FGM vs. EIS - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
FGM
EIS
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Real Estate
Basic Materials
Financial Services
Healthcare
Communication Services
Utilities
Consumer Defensive
Energy
-
Technology
-
Industrials
FGM
EIS
Consumer Cyclical
FGM
EIS
Real Estate
FGM
EIS
Basic Materials
FGM
EIS
Financial Services
FGM
EIS
Healthcare
FGM
EIS
Communication Services
FGM
EIS
Utilities
FGM
EIS
Consumer Defensive
FGM
EIS
Energy
FGM
-
EIS
Technology
FGM
-
EIS
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Return for Risk
FGM vs. EIS — Risk / Return Rank
FGM
EIS
FGM vs. EIS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM) and iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS). 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.
| FGM | EIS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.57 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.41 | -0.25 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.98 | 4.62 | -3.63 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.01 | 15.86 | -12.85 |
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Drawdowns
FGM vs. EIS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FGM drawdown since its inception was -51.58%, roughly equal to the maximum EIS drawdown of -51.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGM and EIS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FGM | EIS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.58% | -51.94% | +0.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -17.76% | -12.40% | -5.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.93% | -24.10% | +6.17% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.22% | -41.88% | -8.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.58% | -41.88% | -9.70% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.26% | -5.61% | -2.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.72% | -13.89% | -0.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.81% | 3.61% | +2.20% |
Volatility
FGM vs. EIS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund (FGM) is 6.75%, while iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) has a volatility of 9.80%. This indicates that FGM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EIS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FGM | EIS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.75% | 9.80% | -3.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.55% | 17.62% | -0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.94% | 23.81% | -2.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.54% | 22.06% | +2.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.11% | 21.21% | +1.90% |
FGM vs. EIS - Expense Ratio Comparison
FGM has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than EIS's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
FGM vs. EIS - Dividend Comparison
FGM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.64%, less than EIS's 1.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EIS iShares MSCI Israel ETF | 1.22% | 1.44% | 1.38% | 1.39% | 1.66% | 1.04% | 0.16% | 2.06% | 0.87% | 2.02% | 1.78% | 2.55% |
FGM First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund | 0.64% | 0.66% | 2.56% | 2.82% | 5.44% | 1.43% | 1.33% | 2.30% | 2.18% | 2.11% | 1.33% | 1.13% |
Frequently Asked Questions
FGM and EIS have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EIS has higher volatility (9.80%) compared to FGM (6.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGM dropped -51.58% vs EIS's -51.94%.
On 10-year performance, EIS leads with 12.35% vs 8.76% for FGM. On fees, EIS is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, FGM has been the lower-risk option at 6.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EIS has performed better with a 12.35% return vs 8.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EIS is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FGM.
EIS has the higher dividend yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.64% for FGM.
FGM is categorized as Europe Equities, while EIS is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FGM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX Germany Index, while EIS tracks MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for FGM and 0.59% for EIS.
EIS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 0.84), 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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