FM vs. FEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF (FM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM).

FM and FEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FM is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Frontier Markets 100 Index. It was launched on Sep 12, 2012. FEM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. It was launched on Apr 18, 2011. Both FM and FEM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FM vs. FEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF (FM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FM vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FM iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF	0.00%	0.18%	7.25%	7.12%	-24.43%	24.36%	-3.36%	19.86%	-17.95%	36.20%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	9.64%	28.36%	3.01%	10.84%	-14.24%	7.40%	-1.68%	20.55%	-15.51%	41.05%

Returns By Period

FM

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FEM

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: -4.37%
• YTD: 9.64%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 35.39%
• 3Y*: 16.74%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: 8.47%

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

FM vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FM has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.

FEM

First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund

FM

iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF

Return for Risk

FM vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 88
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

FM vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF (FM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FM	FEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.85	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.16	—

Correlation

The correlation between FM and FEM is 0.46, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

FM vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison

FM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FM iShares MSCI Frontier 100 ETF	0.00%	0.00%	3.95%	3.62%	2.70%	2.04%	2.91%	3.12%	4.29%	2.04%	2.15%	2.76%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	2.84%	3.13%	3.66%	4.96%	6.15%	4.15%	2.68%	3.31%	3.52%	2.45%	2.25%	3.61%

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	FM	FEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-46.23%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-13.19%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-5.40%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-15.20%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.79%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	FM	FEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.51%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	13.64%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	19.24%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	18.21%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	20.95%	—