RFEM vs. ROBT
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT).
RFEM and ROBT 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. ROBT is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq CTA Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Index. It was launched on Feb 21, 2018.
Performance
RFEM vs. ROBT - Performance Comparison
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RFEM vs. ROBT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 3.81% | 27.71% | 10.85% | 20.78% | -19.05% | 0.97% | 8.19% | 20.33% | -23.71% |
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF | -11.00% | 15.16% | -0.41% | 27.77% | -34.94% | 9.91% | 46.18% | 34.28% | -13.98% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFEM achieves a 3.81% return, which is significantly higher than ROBT's -11.00% return.
RFEM
- 1D
- 3.53%
- 1M
- -7.56%
- YTD
- 3.81%
- 6M
- 9.28%
- 1Y
- 28.91%
- 3Y*
- 18.90%
- 5Y*
- 6.34%
- 10Y*
- —
ROBT
- 1D
- 4.15%
- 1M
- -9.19%
- YTD
- -11.00%
- 6M
- -12.72%
- 1Y
- 13.50%
- 3Y*
- 2.99%
- 5Y*
- -2.47%
- 10Y*
- —
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RFEM vs. ROBT - Expense Ratio Comparison
RFEM has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than ROBT's 0.65% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
RFEM vs. ROBT — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
ROBT
RFEM vs. ROBT - 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 Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT). 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 | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.60 | 0.49 | +1.12 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.23 | 0.89 | +1.34 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.11 | +0.20 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.41 | 0.55 | +1.86 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.67 | 1.78 | +7.89 |
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 | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.60 | 0.49 | +1.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 | -0.10 | +0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.23 | +0.21 |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and ROBT is 0.69, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
RFEM vs. ROBT - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, while ROBT has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
ROBT First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.68% | 0.23% | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.17% | 0.42% | 0.44% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
RFEM vs. ROBT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, smaller than the maximum ROBT drawdown of -44.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and ROBT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -44.47% | +2.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.90% | -21.66% | +9.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.06% | -43.26% | +8.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.53% | -21.09% | +12.56% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.16% | -16.09% | +3.93% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.97% | 6.73% | -3.76% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. ROBT - Volatility Comparison
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ETF (ROBT) have volatilities of 8.78% and 8.78%, 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 | ROBT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.78% | 8.78% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.83% | 18.22% | -5.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.10% | 27.73% | -9.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.58% | 25.00% | -7.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.76% | 25.50% | -5.74% |