MFEM vs. STXE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

MFEM (PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - MFEM tracks the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MFEM returned 15.79%/yr vs 23.32%/yr for STXE. Their correlation of 0.81 means they have usually moved in the same direction. MFEM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.

Performance

MFEM vs. STXE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFEM achieves a 16.47% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 31.48% return.

MFEM

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -2.90%
• 6M: 6.30%
• YTD: 16.47%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 15.79%
• 5Y*: 7.21%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.85%

STXE

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.07%
• 6M: 18.30%
• YTD: 31.48%
• 1Y: 56.34%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.35%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$581.34K	$458.22K	$623.99K
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$412.67K	$566.81K	$571.67K

MFEM vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	16.47%	25.33%	4.73%	6.75%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	31.48%	34.23%	2.09%	12.38%

Correlation

The correlation between MFEM and STXE is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023	0.81

The correlation between MFEM and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

MFEM vs. STXE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MFEM	STXE
Technology	34.0%	40.3%
Financial Services	14.4%	15.7%
Basic Materials	13.1%	6.2%
Industrials	10.1%	5.0%
Energy	7.7%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.0%	1.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	1.7%
Utilities	3.3%	1.1%
Healthcare	1.4%	0.6%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.4%

Return for Risk

MFEM vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 53
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 56
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 50

STXE

STXE Risk / Return Rank: 79
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

MFEM vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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.

	MFEM	STXE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.86	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	2.40	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.34	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.73	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.82	10.29	-4.47

MFEM vs. STXE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the STXE Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFEM and STXE, 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

MFEM vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFEM drawdown since its inception was -43.32%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -20.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFEM and STXE.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFEM	STXE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.32%	-20.38%	-22.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.05%	-20.38%	+5.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.22%	-20.38%	+1.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.43%	-14.59%	+2.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.43%	-3.95%	-7.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.08%	5.39%	-0.31%

Volatility

MFEM vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) is 7.50%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 13.05%. This indicates that MFEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFEM	STXE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.50%	13.05%	-5.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.84%	28.09%	-7.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.65%	29.83%	-7.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.42%	20.17%	-2.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.70%	20.17%	-0.47%

MFEM vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFEM vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison

MFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, more than STXE's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.37%	2.77%	5.89%	4.01%	7.01%	29.96%	1.70%	2.37%	1.18%	0.21%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.91%	2.66%	3.22%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFEM and STXE in my portfolio?

MFEM and STXE have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFEM or STXE?

STXE has higher volatility (13.05%) compared to MFEM (7.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFEM dropped -43.32% vs STXE's -20.38%.

Which ETF is better, MFEM or STXE?

On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 23.32% vs 15.79% for MFEM. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, MFEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MFEM or STXE?

Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 23.32% return vs 15.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MFEM or STXE?

STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MFEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MFEM or STXE?

MFEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.37%, compared with 1.91% for STXE.

What is the main difference between MFEM and STXE?

MFEM tracks RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MFEM and 0.32% for STXE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.31), 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.