FRDM vs. GEME

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and GEME (Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. FRDM is passively managed, while GEME is actively managed. Over the past year, FRDM returned 65.50% vs 60.84% for GEME. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GEME.

Performance

FRDM vs. GEME - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FRDM achieves a 28.12% return, which is significantly lower than GEME's 29.70% return.

FRDM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -4.87%
• 6M: 13.53%
• YTD: 28.12%
• 1Y: 65.50%
• 3Y*: 29.15%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.90%

GEME

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: -0.95%
• 6M: 16.89%
• YTD: 29.70%
• 1Y: 60.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 46.39%

*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)
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	$22.77M	$21.45M	$25.02M
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	$6.60M	$4.28M	$3.34M

FRDM vs. GEME - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	28.12%	51.75%
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	29.70%	37.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDM and GEME is 0.87, 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.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2025	0.84

The correlation between FRDM and GEME has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FRDM vs. GEME — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

GEME

GEME Risk / Return Rank: 90
GEME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
GEME Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
GEME Omega Ratio Rank: 90
GEME Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
GEME Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

FRDM vs. GEME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME). 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.

	FRDM	GEME	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.46	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.99	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	4.41	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.29	13.63	-2.34

FRDM vs. GEME - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the GEME Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDM and GEME, 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

FRDM vs. GEME - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, which is greater than GEME's maximum drawdown of -16.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and GEME.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDM	GEME	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.49%	-16.86%	-23.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.24%	-13.46%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.24%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.15%	-7.52%	-6.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-2.72%	-4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	4.35%	+1.42%

Volatility

FRDM vs. GEME - Volatility Comparison

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 12.28% compared to Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) at 7.60%. This indicates that FRDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GEME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDM	GEME	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.28%	7.60%	+4.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.47%	21.41%	+7.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.66%	24.18%	+6.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	24.09%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.62%	24.09%	-0.47%

FRDM vs. GEME - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than GEME's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDM vs. GEME - Dividend Comparison

FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, less than GEME's 5.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.69%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	5.40%	7.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDM and GEME in my portfolio?

FRDM and GEME have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDM or GEME?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.28%) compared to GEME (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs GEME's -16.86%.

Which ETF is better, FRDM or GEME?

On 1-year performance, FRDM leads with 65.50% vs 60.84% for GEME. On fees, FRDM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, GEME has been the lower-risk option at 7.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRDM or GEME?

Over the 1-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 65.50% return vs 60.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRDM or GEME?

FRDM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GEME.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FRDM or GEME?

GEME has the higher dividend yield at 5.40%, compared with 1.69% for FRDM.

What is the main difference between FRDM and GEME?

They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and Pacific AM. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.75% for GEME.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.13), 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.