RFEM vs. GSG
RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - RFEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. RFEM is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RFEM returned 8.99%/yr vs 15.74%/yr for GSG. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFEM charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
RFEM vs. GSG - 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 GSG's 42.58% return.
RFEM
- 1D
- -1.39%
- 1M
- 4.27%
- YTD
- 21.66%
- 6M
- 23.54%
- 1Y
- 45.49%
- 3Y*
- 24.73%
- 5Y*
- 8.99%
- 10Y*
- —
GSG
- 1D
- 0.77%
- 1M
- -4.83%
- YTD
- 42.58%
- 6M
- 41.06%
- 1Y
- 51.52%
- 3Y*
- 19.31%
- 5Y*
- 15.74%
- 10Y*
- 7.69%
RFEM vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 21.66% | 27.71% | 10.85% | 20.78% | -19.05% | 0.97% | 8.19% | 20.33% | -18.80% | 35.73% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 42.58% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and GSG is -0.18, 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 | -0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2016 | 0.26 |
The correlation between RFEM and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.18 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RFEM vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
GSG
RFEM vs. GSG - 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 S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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 | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.75 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.40 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.92 | 5.47 | -1.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.99 | 14.39 | +1.60 |
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 | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.71 | 2.26 | +0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 | 0.70 | -0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.35 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | -0.09 | +0.61 |
Drawdowns
RFEM vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -89.62% | +47.40% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.65% | -9.46% | -2.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.81% | -14.94% | -0.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.73% | -29.12% | -5.61% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.39% | -56.95% | +55.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.98% | -63.71% | +51.73% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.85% | 3.59% | -0.74% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) is 6.86%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that RFEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFEM | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.86% | 7.65% | -0.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.37% | 20.42% | -6.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.85% | 22.95% | -6.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.88% | 22.61% | -4.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.81% | 22.03% | -2.22% |
RFEM vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFEM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
RFEM vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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 GSG have a correlation of -0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to RFEM (6.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEM dropped -42.22% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 5-year performance, GSG leads with 15.74% vs 8.99% for RFEM. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% 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 5-year period, GSG has performed better with a 15.74% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for RFEM.
RFEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.68%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
RFEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for RFEM and 0.75% for GSG.
RFEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.26), 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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