FLXE.L vs. FEM.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FLXE.L (Franklin Emerging Markets UCITS ETF) and FEM.L (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds tracking the MSCI EM NR USD, from Franklin Templeton and First Trust respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLXE.L returned 7.79%/yr vs 8.32%/yr for FEM.L. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FLXE.L charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.L.

Performance

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Franklin Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (FLXE.L) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

FLXE.L is traded in GBP, while FEM.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the FEM.L values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLXE.L achieves a 15.59% return, which is significantly lower than FEM.L's 19.38% return.

FLXE.L

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 15.59%
• 6M: 15.92%
• 1Y: 33.57%
• 3Y*: 15.98%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: —

FEM.L

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: -0.64%
• YTD: 19.38%
• 6M: 20.41%
• 1Y: 41.02%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLXE.L Franklin Emerging Markets UCITS ETF	15.59%	18.87%	8.11%	6.48%	-9.68%	8.46%	-1.63%	7.98%	-6.24%	1.90%
FEM.L First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc	19.38%	18.46%	5.12%	4.21%	-3.80%	8.72%	-3.95%	15.10%	-11.29%	-0.63%

Correlation

The correlation between FLXE.L and FEM.L is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2017	0.81

The correlation between FLXE.L and FEM.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.81 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLXE.L	FEM.L
Financial Services	21.1%	6.4%
Technology	11.9%	27.7%
Consumer Defensive	11.8%	2.9%
Energy	11.7%	13.1%
Industrials	9.8%	20.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	5.7%
Communication Services	8.7%	4.6%
Basic Materials	7.5%	7.9%
Utilities	3.3%	6.0%
Healthcare	2.5%	2.8%
Real Estate	2.5%	2.6%

Return for Risk

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLXE.L

FLXE.L Risk / Return Rank: 76
FLXE.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
FLXE.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FLXE.L Omega Ratio Rank: 79
FLXE.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
FLXE.L Martin Ratio Rank: 67

FEM.L

FEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 84
FEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (FLXE.L) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L). 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.

	FLXE.L	FEM.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.67	-0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	3.46	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.48	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	5.87	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.16	18.76	-6.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLXE.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the FEM.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLXE.L and FEM.L, 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

	FLXE.L	FEM.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.67	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.52	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.35	0.00

Drawdowns

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLXE.L drawdown since its inception was -26.37%, smaller than the maximum FEM.L drawdown of -35.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLXE.L and FEM.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLXE.L	FEM.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.37%	-35.42%	+9.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.11%	-6.96%	-3.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.93%	-17.83%	+6.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.31%	-17.83%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-1.32%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-8.99%	+3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	2.18%	+0.57%

Volatility

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (FLXE.L) is 4.62%, while First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L) has a volatility of 5.20%. This indicates that FLXE.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEM.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLXE.L	FEM.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.62%	5.20%	-0.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.77%	12.21%	-1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	15.31%	-2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.03%	15.96%	-2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.45%	18.68%	-3.23%

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLXE.L has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM.L's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLXE.L vs. FEM.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither FLXE.L nor FEM.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLXE.L and FEM.L in my portfolio?

FLXE.L and FEM.L have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, FLXE.L or FEM.L?

On fees, FLXE.L is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLXE.L or FEM.L?

FLXE.L is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.L.

What is the main difference between FLXE.L and FEM.L?

Both ETFs track MSCI EM NR USD. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for FLXE.L and 0.80% for FEM.L.