IEUS vs. FEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEUS (iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF) and FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - IEUS tracks the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index while FEP tracks the Defined Europe Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEUS returned 7.44%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for FEP. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEUS charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEP.

Performance

IEUS vs. FEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF (IEUS) and First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEUS achieves a 5.69% return, which is significantly lower than FEP's 9.99% return. Over the past 10 years, IEUS has underperformed FEP with an annualized return of 7.44%, while FEP has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

IEUS

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 1.99%
• YTD: 5.69%
• 6M: 9.19%
• 1Y: 14.01%
• 3Y*: 14.06%
• 5Y*: 2.76%
• 10Y*: 7.44%

FEP

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 9.99%
• 6M: 15.27%
• 1Y: 30.19%
• 3Y*: 24.76%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

IEUS vs. FEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEUS iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF	5.69%	32.06%	-1.59%	17.34%	-27.07%	15.06%	12.99%	29.72%	-20.17%	35.04%
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	9.99%	55.72%	3.38%	16.85%	-22.97%	17.03%	4.12%	24.83%	-19.00%	36.27%

Correlation

The correlation between IEUS and FEP 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2011	0.81

The correlation between IEUS and FEP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEUS vs. FEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEUS	FEP
Industrials	26.7%	25.4%
Financial Services	15.2%	9.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	10.7%
Real Estate	8.4%	5.2%
Basic Materials	7.5%	11.3%
Technology	7.4%	3.0%
Healthcare	7.3%	4.8%
Energy	5.1%	11.0%
Communication Services	5.0%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	8.1%
Utilities	2.4%	7.1%

Return for Risk

IEUS vs. FEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEUS

IEUS Risk / Return Rank: 25
IEUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
IEUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
IEUS Omega Ratio Rank: 24
IEUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
IEUS Martin Ratio Rank: 27

FEP

FEP Risk / Return Rank: 52
FEP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
FEP Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
FEP Omega Ratio Rank: 52
FEP Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
FEP Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

IEUS vs. FEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF (IEUS) and First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP). 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.

	IEUS	FEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.89	1.81	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	2.48	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.32	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	2.50	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.75	9.71	-5.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEUS vs. FEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEUS Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is lower than the FEP Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEUS and FEP, 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

	IEUS	FEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89	1.81	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.48	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.50	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.34	-0.10

Drawdowns

IEUS vs. FEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEUS drawdown since its inception was -62.12%, which is greater than FEP's maximum drawdown of -46.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEUS and FEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEUS	FEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.12%	-46.05%	-16.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.81%	-12.13%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.05%	-15.83%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.86%	-38.99%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.86%	-46.05%	+1.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.96%	-1.47%	-0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.91%	-12.02%	-2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	3.12%	+0.63%

Volatility

IEUS vs. FEP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF (IEUS) is 5.42%, while First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that IEUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEUS	FEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.42%	5.75%	-0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.06%	13.95%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.91%	16.73%	-0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.78%	19.67%	+1.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.51%	20.73%	-0.22%

IEUS vs. FEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEUS has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than FEP's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEUS vs. FEP - Dividend Comparison

IEUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.02%, more than FEP's 2.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEP First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund	2.97%	3.33%	4.94%	3.27%	3.00%	3.49%	2.32%	2.63%	2.62%	1.65%	2.14%	2.20%
IEUS iShares MSCI Europe Small-Cap ETF	3.02%	3.19%	3.25%	2.97%	3.00%	2.63%	1.21%	4.03%	3.21%	2.13%	2.48%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEUS and FEP in my portfolio?

IEUS and FEP 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, IEUS or FEP?

FEP has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to IEUS (5.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEUS dropped -62.12% vs FEP's -46.05%.

Which ETF is better, IEUS or FEP?

On 10-year performance, FEP leads with 10.27% vs 7.44% for IEUS. On fees, IEUS is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IEUS has been the lower-risk option at 5.42%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEUS or FEP?

Over the 10-year period, FEP has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 7.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEUS or FEP?

IEUS is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEUS or FEP?

IEUS has the higher dividend yield at 3.02%, compared with 2.97% for FEP.

What is the main difference between IEUS and FEP?

IEUS tracks MSCI Europe Small Cap Index, while FEP tracks Defined Europe Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IEUS and 0.80% for FEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.89), 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.