FTHF vs. PEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTHF (First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF) and PEMX (Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. FTHF is passively managed, while PEMX is actively managed. Over the past year, FTHF returned 109.33% vs 75.31% for PEMX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTHF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for PEMX.

Performance

FTHF vs. PEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) and Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTHF achieves a 51.24% return, which is significantly higher than PEMX's 40.36% return.

FTHF

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: 15.16%
• YTD: 51.24%
• 6M: 61.52%
• 1Y: 109.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PEMX

• 1D: -0.63%
• 1M: 11.09%
• YTD: 40.36%
• 6M: 45.50%
• 1Y: 75.31%
• 3Y*: 34.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FTHF vs. PEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	51.24%	65.30%	-8.14%	18.14%
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	40.36%	34.01%	17.21%	16.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHF and PEMX is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2023	0.84

The correlation between FTHF and PEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTHF vs. PEMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTHF	PEMX
Technology	40.7%	45.0%
Financial Services	27.7%	24.4%
Basic Materials	10.3%	2.8%
Energy	7.2%	-
Industrials	6.2%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	1.2%
Utilities	2.5%	4.5%
Communication Services	1.0%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	4.2%
Healthcare	0.5%	1.9%
Real Estate	-	0.9%

Return for Risk

FTHF vs. PEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHF

FTHF Risk / Return Rank: 90
FTHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FTHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FTHF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
FTHF Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PEMX

PEMX Risk / Return Rank: 90
PEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
PEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
PEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

FTHF vs. PEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) and Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX). 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.

	FTHF	PEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.36	3.52	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	4.30	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.59	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.74	5.24	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.95	20.66	-1.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTHF vs. PEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHF Sharpe Ratio is 3.36, which is comparable to the PEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHF and PEMX, 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

	FTHF	PEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.36	3.52	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.86	1.99	-0.12

Drawdowns

FTHF vs. PEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHF drawdown since its inception was -17.36%, which is greater than PEMX's maximum drawdown of -14.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHF and PEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHF	PEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.36%	-14.91%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-14.45%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-0.63%	-1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.22%	-2.84%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.79%	3.66%	+2.13%

Volatility

FTHF vs. PEMX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) has a higher volatility of 12.15% compared to Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (PEMX) at 9.67%. This indicates that FTHF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTHF	PEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.15%	9.67%	+2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.47%	18.73%	+5.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.76%	21.51%	+11.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	18.18%	+7.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.45%	18.18%	+7.27%

FTHF vs. PEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTHF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than PEMX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTHF vs. PEMX - Dividend Comparison

FTHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, less than PEMX's 4.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	2.98%	4.40%	3.34%	0.51%
PEMX Putnam Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	4.99%	7.00%	5.00%	0.72%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTHF and PEMX in my portfolio?

FTHF and PEMX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTHF or PEMX?

FTHF has higher volatility (12.15%) compared to PEMX (9.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHF dropped -17.36% vs PEMX's -14.91%.

Which ETF is better, FTHF or PEMX?

On 1-year performance, FTHF leads with 109.33% vs 75.31% for PEMX. On fees, FTHF is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, PEMX has been the lower-risk option at 9.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTHF or PEMX?

Over the 1-year period, FTHF has performed better with a 109.33% return vs 75.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTHF or PEMX?

FTHF is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for PEMX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FTHF or PEMX?

PEMX has the higher dividend yield at 4.99%, compared with 2.98% for FTHF.

What is the main difference between FTHF and PEMX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Putnam. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTHF and 0.85% for PEMX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.52 vs 3.36), 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.