RFEM vs. FEM
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM).
RFEM and FEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. RFEM is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Jun 14, 2016. FEM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. It was launched on Apr 18, 2011.
Performance
RFEM vs. FEM - Performance Comparison
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RFEM vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 3.81% | 27.71% | 10.85% | 20.78% | -19.05% | 0.97% | 8.19% | 20.33% | -18.80% | 35.73% |
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund | 9.64% | 28.36% | 3.01% | 10.84% | -14.24% | 7.40% | -1.68% | 20.55% | -15.51% | 41.05% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFEM achieves a 3.81% return, which is significantly lower than FEM's 9.64% return.
RFEM
- 1D
- 3.53%
- 1M
- -7.56%
- YTD
- 3.81%
- 6M
- 9.28%
- 1Y
- 28.91%
- 3Y*
- 18.90%
- 5Y*
- 6.34%
- 10Y*
- —
FEM
- 1D
- 1.40%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- 9.64%
- 6M
- 11.51%
- 1Y
- 35.39%
- 3Y*
- 16.74%
- 5Y*
- 6.92%
- 10Y*
- 8.47%
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RFEM vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFEM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
RFEM vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
FEM
RFEM vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). 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 | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.60 | 1.85 | -0.24 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.23 | 2.34 | -0.11 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.36 | -0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.41 | 2.66 | -0.25 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.67 | 12.54 | -2.87 |
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 | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.60 | 1.85 | -0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 | 0.38 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.41 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.16 | +0.28 |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and FEM is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
RFEM vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, less than FEM's 2.84% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 1.97% | 1.98% | 3.64% | 3.28% | 7.74% | 3.21% | 1.22% | 3.75% | 2.37% | 1.62% | 3.73% | 0.00% |
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund | 2.84% | 3.13% | 3.66% | 4.96% | 6.15% | 4.15% | 2.68% | 3.31% | 3.52% | 2.45% | 2.25% | 3.61% |
Drawdowns
RFEM vs. FEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, smaller than the maximum FEM drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and FEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -46.23% | +4.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.90% | -13.19% | +1.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.06% | -31.72% | -3.34% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -46.23% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.53% | -5.40% | -3.13% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.16% | -15.20% | +3.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.97% | 2.79% | +0.18% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) have volatilities of 8.78% and 8.51%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFEM | FEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.78% | 8.51% | +0.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.83% | 13.64% | -0.81% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.10% | 19.24% | -1.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.58% | 18.21% | -0.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.76% | 20.95% | -1.19% |