HMEM.L vs. FEM.L

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

HMEM.L (HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF) and FEM.L (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - HMEM.L tracks the HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF while FEM.L tracks the MSCI EM NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HMEM.L returned 8.77%/yr vs 8.28%/yr for FEM.L. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HMEM.L charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.L.

Performance

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (HMEM.L) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

HMEM.L is traded in USD, while FEM.L is traded in GBp. To make them comparable, the FEM.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HMEM.L achieves a 18.80% return, which is significantly higher than FEM.L's 16.76% return. Over the past 10 years, HMEM.L has outperformed FEM.L with an annualized return of 8.77%, while FEM.L has yielded a comparatively lower 8.28% annualized return.

HMEM.L

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -7.34%
• 6M: 12.83%
• YTD: 18.80%
• 1Y: 36.26%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 6.63%
• 10Y*: 8.77%

FEM.L

• 1D: 1.02%
• 1M: -1.96%
• 6M: 10.64%
• YTD: 16.76%
• 1Y: 32.41%
• 3Y*: 16.33%
• 5Y*: 7.27%
• 10Y*: 8.28%

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

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HMEM.L HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF	18.80%	33.60%	7.43%	8.46%	-19.69%	-3.44%	18.78%	16.40%	-14.58%	38.06%
FEM.L First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc	16.76%	27.40%	3.37%	9.71%	-14.08%	7.73%	-1.00%	19.72%	-16.32%	39.74%

Correlation

The correlation between HMEM.L and FEM.L is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2013	0.84

The correlation between HMEM.L and FEM.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

HMEM.L

HMEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 63
HMEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
HMEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
HMEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 61
HMEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
HMEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 63

FEM.L

FEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 74
FEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
FEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (HMEM.L) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L). 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.

	HMEM.L	FEM.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.76	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.24	2.32	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	3.96	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.86	10.54	-1.67

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HMEM.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the FEM.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HMEM.L and FEM.L, 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

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HMEM.L drawdown since its inception was -39.84%, smaller than the maximum FEM.L drawdown of -56.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HMEM.L and FEM.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	HMEM.L	FEM.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.84%	-56.43%	+16.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.66%	-8.14%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.48%	-17.77%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.87%	-31.03%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.84%	-45.92%	+6.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.13%	-4.46%	-4.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.86%	-25.57%	+11.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	3.07%	+0.97%

Volatility

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Volatility Comparison

HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF (HMEM.L) has a higher volatility of 9.06% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc (FEM.L) at 6.66%. This indicates that HMEM.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEM.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HMEM.L	FEM.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.06%	6.66%	+2.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.78%	15.11%	+4.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.89%	18.38%	+3.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.23%	18.58%	+0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.49%	19.96%	-0.47%

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

HMEM.L has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM.L's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

HMEM.L vs. FEM.L - Dividend Comparison

HMEM.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, while FEM.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEM.L First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX UCITS ETF Acc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HMEM.L HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF	1.71%	1.95%	2.48%	2.53%	3.00%	2.06%	1.56%	2.04%	2.24%	1.55%	1.79%	2.33%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HMEM.L and FEM.L in my portfolio?

HMEM.L and FEM.L have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HMEM.L or FEM.L?

On fees, HMEM.L is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HMEM.L or FEM.L?

HMEM.L is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.L.

What is the main difference between HMEM.L and FEM.L?

HMEM.L tracks HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF, while FEM.L tracks MSCI EM NR USD. They also come from different issuers: HSBC and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for HMEM.L and 0.80% for FEM.L.