GEME vs. FEM
GEME (Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF) and FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. GEME is actively managed, while FEM is passively managed. Over the past year, GEME returned 60.84% vs 27.56% for FEM. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GEME charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.
Performance
GEME vs. FEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GEME achieves a 29.70% return, which is significantly higher than FEM's 13.37% return.
GEME
- 1D
- 1.51%
- 1M
- -0.95%
- 6M
- 16.89%
- YTD
- 29.70%
- 1Y
- 60.84%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 46.39%
FEM
- 1D
- 0.81%
- 1M
- -2.05%
- 6M
- 5.28%
- YTD
- 13.37%
- 1Y
- 27.56%
- 3Y*
- 14.41%
- 5Y*
- 7.31%
- 10Y*
- 8.23%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.61%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.32M | $3.48M | $3.62M | |
| $6.60M | $4.28M | $3.34M |
GEME vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF | 29.70% | 37.43% |
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund | 13.37% | 28.18% |
Correlation
The correlation between GEME and FEM is 0.80, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.80 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2025 | 0.78 |
The correlation between GEME and FEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GEME vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank
GEME
FEM
GEME vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) 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.
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.
| GEME | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.24 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.41 | 2.50 | +1.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.63 | 7.78 | +5.84 |
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Drawdowns
GEME vs. FEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GEME drawdown since its inception was -16.86%, smaller than the maximum FEM drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEME and FEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GEME | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.86% | -46.23% | +29.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.46% | -10.88% | -2.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -18.79% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -31.72% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -46.23% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.52% | -8.18% | +0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.72% | -14.95% | +12.23% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.35% | 3.48% | +0.87% |
Volatility
GEME vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison
Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) have volatilities of 7.60% and 7.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GEME | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.60% | 7.75% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.41% | 17.64% | +3.77% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.18% | 20.19% | +3.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.09% | 18.86% | +5.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.09% | 21.01% | +3.08% |
GEME vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
GEME has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.
Dividends
GEME vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison
GEME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.40%, more than FEM's 2.32% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund | 2.32% | 3.13% | 3.66% | 4.96% | 6.15% | 4.15% | 2.68% | 3.31% | 3.52% | 2.45% | 2.25% | 3.61% |
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% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GEME and FEM have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FEM has higher volatility (7.75%) compared to GEME (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEME dropped -16.86% vs FEM's -46.23%.
On 1-year performance, GEME leads with 60.84% vs 27.56% for FEM. On fees, GEME is cheaper at 0.75% 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.
Over the 1-year period, GEME has performed better with a 60.84% return vs 27.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GEME is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.
GEME has the higher dividend yield at 5.40%, compared with 2.32% for FEM.
They also come from different issuers: Pacific AM and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GEME and 0.80% for FEM.
GEME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 1.35), 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.
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