RFDI vs. MCSE

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RFDI (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF) and MCSE (Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, RFDI returned 20.86%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for MCSE. Their 0.69 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RFDI charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for MCSE.

Performance

RFDI vs. MCSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFDI achieves a 15.09% return, which is significantly higher than MCSE's 1.12% return.

RFDI

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 4.03%
• 6M: 7.50%
• YTD: 15.09%
• 1Y: 31.09%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 9.15%
• ALL TIME*: 9.05%

MCSE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.12%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 0.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.06%

*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)
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	$615.45K	$498.53K	$409.01K

RFDI vs. MCSE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	15.09%	35.95%	5.56%	18.14%	8.99%
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	1.12%	7.79%	-9.46%	14.86%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between RFDI and MCSE is 0.42, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2022	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between RFDI and MCSE has dropped to 0.42 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RFDI vs. MCSE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFDI	MCSE
Financial Services	28.7%	2.1%
Industrials	11.5%	18.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	13.8%
Energy	9.4%	-
Technology	9.1%	31.1%
Healthcare	8.6%	20.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	5.0%
Communication Services	4.9%	4.7%
Basic Materials	4.4%	5.1%
Utilities	4.2%	-
Real Estate	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

RFDI vs. MCSE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFDI

RFDI Risk / Return Rank: 81
RFDI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
RFDI Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
RFDI Omega Ratio Rank: 82
RFDI Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RFDI Martin Ratio Rank: 79

MCSE

MCSE Risk / Return Rank: 20
MCSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MCSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
MCSE Omega Ratio Rank: 24
MCSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
MCSE Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

RFDI vs. MCSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) and Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE). 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.

	RFDI	MCSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	0.46	+1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	0.70	+2.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.12	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	0.45	+2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.21	1.13	+10.08

RFDI vs. MCSE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFDI Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the MCSE Sharpe Ratio of 0.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFDI and MCSE, 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

RFDI vs. MCSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFDI drawdown since its inception was -39.40%, which is greater than MCSE's maximum drawdown of -26.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFDI and MCSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFDI	MCSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.40%	-26.36%	-13.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	-10.42%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.44%	-26.36%	+12.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.87%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.51%	+10.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.11%	-8.80%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	4.37%	-1.59%

Volatility

RFDI vs. MCSE - Volatility Comparison

First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF (RFDI) has a higher volatility of 3.98% compared to Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF (MCSE) at 0.00%. This indicates that RFDI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MCSE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFDI	MCSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.98%	0.00%	+3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.65%	1.87%	+10.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.88%	10.29%	+4.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	19.07%	-2.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.03%	19.07%	-2.04%

RFDI vs. MCSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFDI has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than MCSE's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFDI vs. MCSE - Dividend Comparison

RFDI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.07%, less than MCSE's 3.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
MCSE Franklin Sustainable International Equity ETF	3.74%	3.78%	0.63%	0.57%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RFDI First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF	3.07%	3.45%	5.21%	2.43%	5.00%	3.22%	1.34%	2.72%	2.59%	1.63%	1.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFDI and MCSE in my portfolio?

RFDI and MCSE have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFDI or MCSE?

RFDI has higher volatility (3.98%) compared to MCSE (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFDI dropped -39.40% vs MCSE's -26.36%.

Which ETF is better, RFDI or MCSE?

On 3-year performance, RFDI leads with 20.86% vs 0.74% for MCSE. On fees, MCSE is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, MCSE has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFDI or MCSE?

Over the 3-year period, RFDI has performed better with a 20.86% return vs 0.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFDI or MCSE?

MCSE is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFDI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFDI or MCSE?

MCSE has the higher dividend yield at 3.74%, compared with 3.07% for RFDI.

What is the main difference between RFDI and MCSE?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Franklin. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFDI and 0.59% for MCSE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFDI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.46), 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.