FPXE vs. FPXI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FPXE (First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF) and FPXI (First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FPXE is a Europe Equities fund tracking the IPOX 100 Europe Index, while FPXI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IPOX International Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPXE returned 2.28%/yr vs 1.52%/yr for FPXI. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

FPXE vs. FPXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) and First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPXE achieves a 5.85% return, which is significantly lower than FPXI's 16.35% return.

FPXE

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -4.48%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 5.85%
• 1Y: 8.18%
• 3Y*: 15.91%
• 5Y*: 2.28%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.68%

FPXI

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -11.41%
• 6M: 7.34%
• YTD: 16.35%
• 1Y: 27.53%
• 3Y*: 18.20%
• 5Y*: 1.52%
• 10Y*: 11.20%
• ALL TIME*: 8.36%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	$9.85K	$12.44K	$27.30K
FPXI First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF	$2.77M	$3.96M	$4.56M

FPXE vs. FPXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	5.85%	24.46%	16.31%	14.45%	-35.13%	9.00%	35.00%	34.55%	-14.89%
FPXI First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF	16.35%	26.37%	12.62%	9.56%	-31.83%	-15.73%	71.50%	33.69%	-9.93%

Correlation

The correlation between FPXE and FPXI is 0.81, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2018	0.73

The correlation between FPXE and FPXI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

FPXE vs. FPXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPXE	FPXI
Technology	20.0%	42.9%
Industrials	19.7%	21.0%
Healthcare	17.3%	9.1%
Financial Services	14.1%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	6.3%
Basic Materials	7.5%	6.6%
Energy	3.6%	3.7%
Communication Services	2.1%	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.9%	2.2%
Utilities	1.5%	0.7%
Real Estate	0.7%	0.5%

Return for Risk

FPXE vs. FPXI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FPXE

FPXE Risk / Return Rank: 20
FPXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FPXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FPXE Omega Ratio Rank: 19
FPXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
FPXE Martin Ratio Rank: 22

FPXI

FPXI Risk / Return Rank: 35
FPXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
FPXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FPXI Omega Ratio Rank: 35
FPXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FPXI Martin Ratio Rank: 38

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FPXE vs. FPXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) and First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXI). 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.

	FPXE	FPXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	0.86	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	1.34	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.16	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.62	1.08	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.64	3.95	-2.32

FPXE vs. FPXI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPXE Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the FPXI Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPXE and FPXI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FPXE vs. FPXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPXE drawdown since its inception was -49.55%, smaller than the maximum FPXI drawdown of -55.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPXE and FPXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPXE	FPXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.55%	-55.78%	+6.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-24.12%	+12.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.28%	-24.12%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.55%	-50.75%	+1.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-55.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.62%	-20.48%	+11.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.50%	-20.12%	+5.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.30%	6.58%	-2.28%

Volatility

FPXE vs. FPXI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) is 6.73%, while First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXI) has a volatility of 13.35%. This indicates that FPXE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FPXI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPXE	FPXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.73%	13.35%	-6.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.19%	27.34%	-9.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.22%	30.34%	-10.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.05%	23.12%	-1.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.23%	21.90%	+0.33%

FPXE vs. FPXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FPXE and FPXI have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

FPXE vs. FPXI - Dividend Comparison

FPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than FPXI's 0.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	1.45%	1.15%	2.10%	2.03%	1.81%	0.47%	1.35%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FPXI First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF	0.68%	0.70%	0.93%	0.71%	1.13%	0.71%	0.18%	0.67%	1.75%	0.75%	2.09%	1.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPXE and FPXI in my portfolio?

FPXE and FPXI have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPXE or FPXI?

FPXI has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to FPXE (6.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPXE dropped -49.55% vs FPXI's -55.78%.

Which ETF is better, FPXE or FPXI?

On 5-year performance, FPXE leads with 2.28% vs 1.52% for FPXI. Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. On volatility, FPXE has been the lower-risk option at 6.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPXE or FPXI?

Over the 5-year period, FPXE has performed better with a 2.28% return vs 1.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPXE or FPXI?

FPXE and FPXI have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPXE or FPXI?

FPXE has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.68% for FPXI.

What is the main difference between FPXE and FPXI?

FPXE is categorized as Europe Equities, while FPXI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. FPXE tracks IPOX 100 Europe Index, while FPXI tracks IPOX International Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.35), 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.