RFEM vs. EVLU
RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF) and EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. RFEM is actively managed, while EVLU is passively managed. Over the past year, RFEM returned 45.49% vs 72.04% for EVLU. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RFEM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for EVLU.
Performance
RFEM vs. EVLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFEM achieves a 21.66% return, which is significantly lower than EVLU's 34.01% return.
RFEM
- 1D
- -1.39%
- 1M
- 4.27%
- YTD
- 21.66%
- 6M
- 23.54%
- 1Y
- 45.49%
- 3Y*
- 24.73%
- 5Y*
- 8.99%
- 10Y*
- —
EVLU
- 1D
- -2.27%
- 1M
- 15.31%
- YTD
- 34.01%
- 6M
- 37.37%
- 1Y
- 72.04%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
RFEM vs. EVLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 21.66% | 27.71% | 1.70% |
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 34.01% | 38.54% | 1.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and EVLU is 0.88, 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 | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2024 | 0.88 |
The correlation between RFEM and EVLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RFEM vs. EVLU — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
EVLU
RFEM vs. EVLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU). 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.
| RFEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.67 | -0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.92 | 5.61 | -1.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.99 | 20.79 | -4.80 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| RFEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.71 | 3.80 | -1.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 2.23 | -1.71 |
Drawdowns
RFEM vs. EVLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, which is greater than EVLU's maximum drawdown of -17.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and EVLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -17.17% | -25.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.65% | -12.90% | +1.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.81% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.73% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.39% | -2.27% | +0.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.98% | -3.48% | -8.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.85% | 3.48% | -0.63% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. EVLU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) is 6.86%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that RFEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EVLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFEM | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.86% | 9.17% | -2.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.37% | 16.23% | -1.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.85% | 19.04% | -2.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.88% | 19.93% | -2.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.81% | 19.93% | -0.12% |
RFEM vs. EVLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFEM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than EVLU's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFEM vs. EVLU - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than EVLU's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 3.88% | 5.20% | 1.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 1.68% | 1.98% | 3.64% | 3.28% | 7.74% | 3.21% | 1.22% | 3.75% | 2.37% | 1.62% | 3.73% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFEM and EVLU have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EVLU has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to RFEM (6.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEM dropped -42.22% vs EVLU's -17.17%.
On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 72.04% vs 45.49% for RFEM. On fees, EVLU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, RFEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 72.04% return vs 45.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EVLU is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for RFEM.
EVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 1.68% for RFEM.
They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for RFEM and 0.35% for EVLU.
EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.80 vs 2.71), 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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