NFFFX vs. FEMSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NFFFX (American Funds New World Fund) and FEMSX (Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, NFFFX returned 11.24%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for FEMSX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NFFFX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for FEMSX.

Performance

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX) and Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (FEMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NFFFX achieves a 16.69% return, which is significantly lower than FEMSX's 32.13% return. Over the past 10 years, NFFFX has underperformed FEMSX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while FEMSX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.30% annualized return.

NFFFX

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.67%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 18.14%
• 1Y: 34.66%
• 3Y*: 19.53%
• 5Y*: 6.93%
• 10Y*: 11.24%

FEMSX

• 1D: -1.15%
• 1M: 7.85%
• YTD: 32.13%
• 6M: 36.21%
• 1Y: 63.17%
• 3Y*: 28.15%
• 5Y*: 8.38%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	16.69%	28.52%	6.78%	16.11%	-21.86%	4.98%	25.17%	27.89%	-12.08%	32.92%
FEMSX Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund	32.13%	37.92%	7.84%	14.23%	-23.95%	-5.14%	24.72%	28.87%	-16.20%	49.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NFFFX and FEMSX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2008	0.92

The correlation between NFFFX and FEMSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NFFFX vs. FEMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NFFFX

NFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 62
NFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
NFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
NFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

FEMSX

FEMSX Risk / Return Rank: 91
FEMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
FEMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FEMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FEMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FEMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX) and Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (FEMSX). 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.

	NFFFX	FEMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	3.45	-1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	4.27	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.63	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	4.88	-2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.30	19.45	-8.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NFFFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the FEMSX Sharpe Ratio of 3.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NFFFX and FEMSX, 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

	NFFFX	FEMSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	3.45	-1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.44	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.69	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.57	-0.17

Drawdowns

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NFFFX drawdown since its inception was -50.17%, which is greater than FEMSX's maximum drawdown of -44.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NFFFX and FEMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NFFFX	FEMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.17%	-44.16%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.01%	-13.42%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.05%	-17.04%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.48%	-41.64%	+8.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.48%	-44.16%	+10.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-1.15%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.81%	-13.40%	+3.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	3.36%	-0.20%

Volatility

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds New World Fund (NFFFX) is 5.57%, while Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (FEMSX) has a volatility of 8.12%. This indicates that NFFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NFFFX	FEMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.57%	8.12%	-2.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.53%	16.46%	-3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.74%	18.99%	-4.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.42%	19.04%	-3.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.13%	19.34%	-3.21%

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NFFFX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than FEMSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

NFFFX vs. FEMSX - Dividend Comparison

NFFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, more than FEMSX's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEMSX Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund	1.85%	2.45%	2.08%	2.82%	2.39%	12.83%	2.99%	2.48%	9.42%	8.98%	1.46%	1.27%
NFFFX American Funds New World Fund	5.15%	6.01%	4.01%	2.78%	1.21%	7.23%	0.35%	3.95%	2.62%	2.17%	1.28%	0.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NFFFX and FEMSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, NFFFX and FEMSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NFFFX or FEMSX?

FEMSX has higher volatility (8.12%) compared to NFFFX (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NFFFX dropped -50.17% vs FEMSX's -44.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.44 vs 2.43), 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.