RFEM vs. ENFR
RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF) and ENFR (Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while ENFR is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Alerian Midstream Energy Select Index. RFEM is actively managed, while ENFR is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFEM returned 9.91%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for ENFR. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFEM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for ENFR.
Performance
RFEM vs. ENFR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFEM achieves a 20.69% return, which is significantly lower than ENFR's 26.07% return. Over the past 10 years, RFEM has underperformed ENFR with an annualized return of 9.91%, while ENFR has yielded a comparatively higher 11.57% annualized return.
RFEM
- 1D
- 0.70%
- 1M
- 0.68%
- 6M
- 17.22%
- YTD
- 20.69%
- 1Y
- 35.70%
- 3Y*
- 23.15%
- 5Y*
- 9.59%
- 10Y*
- 9.91%
ENFR
- 1D
- -0.77%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- 6M
- 27.71%
- YTD
- 26.07%
- 1Y
- 28.68%
- 3Y*
- 27.13%
- 5Y*
- 20.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.57%
RFEM vs. ENFR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 20.69% | 27.71% | 10.85% | 20.78% | -19.05% | 0.97% | 8.19% | 20.33% | -18.80% | 35.73% |
ENFR Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 26.07% | 5.88% | 42.17% | 15.63% | 17.48% | 39.97% | -24.14% | 21.60% | -18.67% | -0.19% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and ENFR is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2016 | 0.39 |
The correlation between RFEM and ENFR shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.39 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RFEM vs. ENFR — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
ENFR
RFEM vs. ENFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR). 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.
| RFEM | ENFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.33 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.06 | 3.39 | -0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.53 | 8.36 | +3.17 |
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Drawdowns
RFEM vs. ENFR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, smaller than the maximum ENFR drawdown of -68.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and ENFR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | ENFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -68.28% | +26.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.65% | -8.64% | -3.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.81% | -15.58% | -0.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -33.30% | -20.29% | -13.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.22% | -62.64% | +20.42% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.18% | -3.84% | +1.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.89% | -15.89% | +4.00% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.09% | 3.50% | -0.41% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. ENFR - Volatility Comparison
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) has a higher volatility of 6.66% compared to Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF (ENFR) at 5.61%. This indicates that RFEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ENFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFEM | ENFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.66% | 5.61% | +1.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.18% | 11.96% | +4.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.31% | 15.06% | +3.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.16% | 19.27% | -1.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.70% | 24.65% | -4.95% |
RFEM vs. ENFR - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFEM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than ENFR's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFEM vs. ENFR - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than ENFR's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENFR Alerian Energy Infrastructure ETF | 3.98% | 4.77% | 4.41% | 5.48% | 5.23% | 7.86% | 7.57% | 5.81% | 3.98% | 2.98% | 3.31% | 3.34% |
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 2.62% | 1.98% | 3.64% | 3.28% | 7.74% | 3.21% | 1.22% | 3.75% | 2.37% | 1.62% | 3.73% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFEM and ENFR have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RFEM has higher volatility (6.66%) compared to ENFR (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEM dropped -42.22% vs ENFR's -68.28%.
On 10-year performance, ENFR leads with 11.57% vs 9.91% for RFEM. On fees, ENFR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, ENFR has been the lower-risk option at 5.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, ENFR has performed better with a 11.57% return vs 9.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ENFR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for RFEM.
ENFR has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 2.62% for RFEM.
RFEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while ENFR is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and SS&C. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for RFEM and 0.35% for ENFR.
ENFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.95), 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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