PTEU vs. FEP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PTEU (Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF) and FEP (First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund) are both Europe Equities funds - PTEU tracks the Pacer Trendpilot European Index while FEP tracks the Defined Europe Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PTEU returned 4.25%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for FEP. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTEU charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEP.

Performance

PTEU vs. FEP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) 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, PTEU achieves a 6.24% return, which is significantly lower than FEP's 9.99% return. Over the past 10 years, PTEU has underperformed FEP with an annualized return of 4.25%, while FEP has yielded a comparatively higher 10.27% annualized return.

PTEU

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 6.24%
• 6M: 8.48%
• 1Y: 18.27%
• 3Y*: 10.93%
• 5Y*: 7.24%
• 10Y*: 4.25%

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)

PTEU vs. FEP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTEU Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF	6.24%	30.80%	-0.50%	12.45%	-7.46%	13.43%	-19.41%	13.50%	-16.87%	28.91%
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 PTEU and FEP is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.69

The correlation between PTEU and FEP shifts across timeframes, from 0.69 (all time) to 0.87 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PTEU vs. FEP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PTEU	FEP
Financial Services	25.1%	9.8%
Industrials	20.9%	25.4%
Technology	14.6%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.5%	10.7%
Utilities	7.1%	7.1%
Healthcare	5.7%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	8.1%
Basic Materials	4.2%	11.3%
Energy	4.0%	11.0%
Communication Services	3.6%	3.7%
Real Estate	1.2%	5.2%

Return for Risk

PTEU vs. FEP — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTEU

PTEU Risk / Return Rank: 30
PTEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
PTEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
PTEU Omega Ratio Rank: 29
PTEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
PTEU Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PTEU vs. FEP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) 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.

	PTEU	FEP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	1.81	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	2.48	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.32	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	2.50	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.96	9.71	-4.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTEU vs. FEP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the FEP Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTEU 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

	PTEU	FEP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	1.81	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.48	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.50	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.34	-0.04

Drawdowns

PTEU vs. FEP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTEU drawdown since its inception was -35.45%, smaller than the maximum FEP drawdown of -46.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTEU and FEP.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTEU	FEP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.45%	-46.05%	+10.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.82%	-12.13%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.04%	-15.83%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.04%	-38.99%	+23.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.45%	-46.05%	+10.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.71%	-1.47%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.50%	-12.02%	-2.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	3.12%	+0.57%

Volatility

PTEU vs. FEP - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP) at 5.75%. This indicates that PTEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PTEU	FEP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	5.75%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.00%	13.95%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.85%	16.73%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.23%	19.67%	-4.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.58%	20.73%	-6.15%

PTEU vs. FEP - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTEU has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than FEP's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTEU vs. FEP - Dividend Comparison

PTEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less 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%
PTEU Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF	1.81%	1.92%	3.49%	2.74%	0.69%	1.55%	0.00%	3.43%	1.86%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PTEU and FEP in my portfolio?

PTEU and FEP have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTEU or FEP?

PTEU has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to FEP (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTEU dropped -35.45% vs FEP's -46.05%.

Which ETF is better, PTEU or FEP?

On 10-year performance, FEP leads with 10.27% vs 4.25% for PTEU. On fees, PTEU is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, FEP has been the lower-risk option at 5.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PTEU or FEP?

Over the 10-year period, FEP has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 4.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PTEU or FEP?

PTEU is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEP.

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

FEP has the higher dividend yield at 2.97%, compared with 1.81% for PTEU.

What is the main difference between PTEU and FEP?

PTEU tracks Pacer Trendpilot European Index, while FEP tracks Defined Europe Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTEU and 0.80% for FEP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.09), 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.