PTEU vs. RFEU
PTEU (Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF) and RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds. PTEU is passively managed, while RFEU is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PTEU returned 5.37%/yr vs 8.10%/yr for RFEU. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PTEU charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for RFEU.
Performance
PTEU vs. RFEU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PTEU achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly higher than RFEU's 1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, PTEU has underperformed RFEU with an annualized return of 5.37%, while RFEU has yielded a comparatively higher 8.10% annualized return.
PTEU
- 1D
- -1.95%
- 1M
- 1.07%
- YTD
- 6.67%
- 6M
- 6.75%
- 1Y
- 19.59%
- 3Y*
- 10.88%
- 5Y*
- 7.49%
- 10Y*
- 5.37%
RFEU
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.00%
- YTD
- 1.50%
- 6M
- 1.83%
- 1Y
- 13.93%
- 3Y*
- 12.26%
- 5Y*
- 3.77%
- 10Y*
- 8.10%
PTEU vs. RFEU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTEU Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF | 6.67% | 30.80% | -0.50% | 12.45% | -7.46% | 13.43% | -19.41% | 13.50% | -16.87% | 28.91% |
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF | 1.50% | 30.78% | -1.78% | 16.19% | -24.17% | 22.83% | 6.25% | 23.21% | -17.57% | 26.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between PTEU and RFEU is 0.59, 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 | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2016 | 0.61 |
The correlation between PTEU and RFEU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PTEU vs. RFEU — Risk / Return Rank
PTEU
RFEU
PTEU vs. RFEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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.
| PTEU | RFEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.03 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.43 | -0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 2.98 | -1.45 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.31 | 11.26 | -5.95 |
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Drawdowns
PTEU vs. RFEU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PTEU drawdown since its inception was -35.45%, smaller than the maximum RFEU drawdown of -39.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTEU and RFEU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PTEU | RFEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -35.45% | -39.74% | +4.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.82% | -5.15% | -7.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.04% | -13.48% | -1.56% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.04% | -35.92% | +20.88% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.45% | -39.74% | +4.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.23% | -0.11% | -2.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.43% | -9.57% | -4.86% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.70% | 1.35% | +2.35% |
Volatility
PTEU vs. RFEU - Volatility Comparison
Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF (PTEU) has a higher volatility of 5.01% compared to First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) at 0.00%. This indicates that PTEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PTEU | RFEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.01% | 0.00% | +5.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.55% | 3.51% | +11.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.19% | 8.39% | +8.80% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.30% | 16.76% | -1.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.54% | 17.53% | -2.99% |
PTEU vs. RFEU - Expense Ratio Comparison
PTEU has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEU's 0.83% expense ratio.
Dividends
PTEU vs. RFEU - Dividend Comparison
PTEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, less than RFEU's 2.83% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PTEU Pacer Trendpilot European Index ETF | 1.80% | 1.92% | 3.49% | 2.74% | 0.69% | 1.55% | 0.00% | 3.43% | 1.86% | 0.60% | 0.00% |
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF | 2.83% | 2.87% | 5.45% | 3.37% | 4.98% | 1.82% | 2.32% | 3.08% | 2.84% | 1.35% | 3.16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PTEU and RFEU have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PTEU has higher volatility (5.01%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTEU dropped -35.45% vs RFEU's -39.74%.
On 10-year performance, RFEU leads with 8.10% vs 5.37% for PTEU. On fees, PTEU is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, RFEU has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, RFEU has performed better with a 8.10% return vs 5.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
PTEU is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.
RFEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 1.80% for PTEU.
They also come from different issuers: Pacer and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for PTEU and 0.83% for RFEU.
RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.15), 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.
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