RFEM vs. TDEC
RFEM (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF) and TDEC (FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December) are both exchange-traded funds - RFEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while TDEC is a Defined Outcome fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets. RFEM is actively managed, while TDEC is passively managed. Over the past year, RFEM returned 45.49% vs 24.15% for TDEC. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.
Performance
RFEM vs. TDEC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFEM achieves a 21.66% return, which is significantly higher than TDEC's 9.14% return.
RFEM
- 1D
- -1.39%
- 1M
- 4.27%
- YTD
- 21.66%
- 6M
- 23.54%
- 1Y
- 45.49%
- 3Y*
- 24.73%
- 5Y*
- 8.99%
- 10Y*
- —
TDEC
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 1.54%
- YTD
- 9.14%
- 6M
- 11.08%
- 1Y
- 24.15%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
RFEM vs. TDEC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
RFEM First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF | 21.66% | 27.71% | -0.82% |
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 9.14% | 21.39% | -0.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFEM and TDEC is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2024 | 0.91 |
The correlation between RFEM and TDEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RFEM vs. TDEC — Risk / Return Rank
RFEM
TDEC
RFEM vs. TDEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) and FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC). 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 | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.31 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.49 | 1.54 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.92 | 2.97 | +0.95 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.99 | 13.07 | +2.92 |
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 | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.71 | 2.41 | +0.31 |
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 | 1.81 | -1.29 |
Drawdowns
RFEM vs. TDEC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFEM drawdown since its inception was -42.22%, which is greater than TDEC's maximum drawdown of -10.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEM and TDEC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFEM | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.22% | -10.30% | -31.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.65% | -8.16% | -3.49% |
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% | -0.33% | -1.06% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.98% | -1.04% | -10.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.85% | 1.85% | +1.00% |
Volatility
RFEM vs. TDEC - Volatility Comparison
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) has a higher volatility of 6.86% compared to FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December (TDEC) at 2.81%. This indicates that RFEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TDEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFEM | TDEC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.86% | 2.81% | +4.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.37% | 9.02% | +5.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.85% | 10.09% | +6.76% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.88% | 11.75% | +6.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.81% | 11.75% | +8.06% |
RFEM vs. TDEC - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both RFEM and TDEC have an expense ratio of 0.95%.
Dividends
RFEM vs. TDEC - Dividend Comparison
RFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, while TDEC has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
TDEC FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFEM and TDEC have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RFEM has higher volatility (6.86%) compared to TDEC (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEM dropped -42.22% vs TDEC's -10.30%.
On 1-year performance, RFEM leads with 45.49% vs 24.15% for TDEC. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, TDEC has been the lower-risk option at 2.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, RFEM has performed better with a 45.49% return vs 24.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
RFEM and TDEC have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.
RFEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.68%, compared with 0.00% for TDEC.
RFEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while TDEC is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and FT Vest.
RFEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.41), 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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