FPXE vs. RFEU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPXE (First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF) and RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds from First Trust. FPXE is passively managed, while RFEU is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPXE returned 5.11%/yr vs 3.74%/yr for RFEU. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPXE charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for RFEU.

Performance

FPXE vs. RFEU - 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 RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPXE achieves a 14.30% return, which is significantly higher than RFEU's 1.50% return.

FPXE

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 7.42%
• YTD: 14.30%
• 6M: 16.85%
• 1Y: 20.71%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: —

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: 13.97%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 3.74%
• 10Y*: 7.29%

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

FPXE vs. RFEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	14.30%	24.46%	16.31%	14.45%	-35.13%	9.00%	35.00%	34.55%	-14.93%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	1.50%	30.78%	-1.78%	16.19%	-24.17%	22.83%	6.25%	23.21%	-14.01%

Correlation

The correlation between FPXE and RFEU is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2018	0.61

The correlation between FPXE and RFEU shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FPXE vs. RFEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPXE	RFEU
Industrials	24.6%	15.4%
Healthcare	19.7%	13.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	10.6%
Technology	12.5%	12.5%
Financial Services	11.5%	18.9%
Basic Materials	8.2%	1.2%
Communication Services	2.6%	3.8%
Utilities	2.6%	6.4%
Energy	2.0%	8.7%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	9.3%

Return for Risk

FPXE vs. RFEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPXE

FPXE Risk / Return Rank: 34
FPXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FPXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FPXE Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FPXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FPXE Martin Ratio Rank: 37

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

FPXE vs. RFEU - 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 RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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.

	FPXE	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.77	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.57	-0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.39	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	2.99	-1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	10.93	-5.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPXE vs. RFEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPXE Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the RFEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPXE and RFEU, 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

	FPXE	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.77	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.23	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.41	+0.04

Drawdowns

FPXE vs. RFEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPXE drawdown since its inception was -49.55%, which is greater than RFEU's maximum drawdown of -39.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPXE and RFEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPXE	RFEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.55%	-39.74%	-9.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-5.15%	-6.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.28%	-13.48%	-5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.55%	-35.92%	-13.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-0.11%	-1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.69%	-9.62%	-5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	1.35%	+2.27%

Volatility

FPXE vs. RFEU - Volatility Comparison

First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) at 0.00%. This indicates that FPXE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPXE	RFEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	0.00%	+6.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.69%	4.43%	+11.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.23%	8.73%	+9.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.71%	16.77%	+4.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	17.86%	+4.30%

FPXE vs. RFEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPXE has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEU's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPXE vs. RFEU - Dividend Comparison

FPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than RFEU's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	1.01%	1.15%	2.10%	2.03%	1.81%	0.47%	1.35%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	2.83%	2.87%	5.45%	3.37%	4.98%	1.82%	2.32%	3.08%	2.84%	1.35%	3.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPXE and RFEU in my portfolio?

FPXE and RFEU have a correlation of 0.43, 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 RFEU?

FPXE has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPXE dropped -49.55% vs RFEU's -39.74%.

Which ETF is better, FPXE or RFEU?

On 5-year performance, FPXE leads with 5.11% vs 3.74% for RFEU. On fees, FPXE is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, RFEU has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPXE or RFEU?

Over the 5-year period, FPXE has performed better with a 5.11% return vs 3.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPXE or RFEU?

FPXE is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

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

RFEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 1.01% for FPXE.

What is the main difference between FPXE and RFEU?

Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FPXE and 0.83% for RFEU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.14), 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.