GEME vs. FEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

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 82.30% vs 42.41% for FEM. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GEME charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.

Performance

GEME vs. FEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEME achieves a 38.52% return, which is significantly higher than FEM's 20.43% return.

GEME

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 10.91%
• YTD: 38.52%
• 6M: 44.89%
• 1Y: 82.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FEM

• 1D: -1.38%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: 20.43%
• 6M: 22.40%
• 1Y: 42.41%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 9.75%

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

GEME vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	38.52%	37.35%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	20.43%	28.00%

Correlation

The correlation between GEME and FEM is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2025	0.76

The correlation between GEME and FEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GEME vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

GEME

GEME Risk / Return Rank: 93
GEME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
GEME Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
GEME Omega Ratio Rank: 94
GEME Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GEME Martin Ratio Rank: 93

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

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.

	GEME	FEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.90	2.45	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.67	3.11	+1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.43	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.15	4.58	+1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.06	17.35	+6.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GEME vs. FEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEME Sharpe Ratio is 3.90, which is higher than the FEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEME and FEM, 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

	GEME	FEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90	2.45	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.66	0.19	+2.46

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEME	FEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.86%	-46.23%	+29.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.46%	-9.31%	-4.15%
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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-2.46%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.30%	-15.04%	+12.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	2.45%	+0.98%

Volatility

GEME vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison

Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) has a higher volatility of 8.56% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) at 6.18%. This indicates that GEME's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEME	FEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.56%	6.18%	+2.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	14.47%	+3.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.23%	17.40%	+3.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.95%	18.39%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.95%	20.96%	+1.99%

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 5.06%, more than FEM's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	2.58%	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	5.06%	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

Can I hold both GEME and FEM in my portfolio?

GEME and FEM have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEME or FEM?

GEME has higher volatility (8.56%) compared to FEM (6.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEME dropped -16.86% vs FEM's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, GEME or FEM?

On 1-year performance, GEME leads with 82.30% vs 42.41% for FEM. On fees, GEME is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEME or FEM?

Over the 1-year period, GEME has performed better with a 82.30% return vs 42.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEME or FEM?

GEME is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.

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

GEME has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 2.58% for FEM.

What is the main difference between GEME and 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.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 vs 2.45), 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.