RFEU vs. EWU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) and EWU (iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF) are both Europe Equities funds. RFEU is actively managed, while EWU is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFEU returned 7.29%/yr vs 7.75%/yr for EWU. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RFEU charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for EWU.

Performance

RFEU vs. EWU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFEU achieves a 1.50% return, which is significantly lower than EWU's 5.55% return. Over the past 10 years, RFEU has underperformed EWU with an annualized return of 7.29%, while EWU has yielded a comparatively higher 7.75% annualized return.

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: 13.97%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 3.74%
• 10Y*: 7.29%

EWU

• 1D: -1.09%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 20.53%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.64%
• 10Y*: 7.75%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RFEU vs. EWU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	1.50%	30.78%	-1.78%	16.19%	-24.17%	22.83%	6.25%	23.21%	-17.57%	26.58%
EWU iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF	5.55%	34.95%	6.74%	12.40%	-4.39%	18.19%	-11.80%	21.29%	-14.30%	21.54%

Correlation

The correlation between RFEU and EWU is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2016	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between RFEU and EWU has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RFEU vs. EWU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFEU	EWU
Financial Services	18.9%	26.0%
Industrials	15.4%	12.1%
Healthcare	13.3%	13.9%
Technology	12.5%	0.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	14.2%
Energy	8.7%	11.0%
Utilities	6.4%	5.1%
Communication Services	3.8%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	9.3%
Real Estate	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

RFEU vs. EWU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

EWU

EWU Risk / Return Rank: 41
EWU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
EWU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
EWU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
EWU Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
EWU Martin Ratio Rank: 46

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RFEU vs. EWU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU). 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.

	RFEU	EWU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.44	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.05	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.26	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.99	2.08	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.93	7.54	+3.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFEU vs. EWU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the EWU Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFEU and EWU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFEU	EWU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77	1.44	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.65	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41	0.41	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.26	+0.15

Drawdowns

RFEU vs. EWU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFEU drawdown since its inception was -39.74%, smaller than the maximum EWU drawdown of -63.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEU and EWU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFEU	EWU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.74%	-63.99%	+24.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.15%	-9.92%	+4.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-12.63%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.92%	-24.91%	-11.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.74%	-43.33%	+3.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-4.64%	+4.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.62%	-14.16%	+4.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	2.73%	-1.38%

Volatility

RFEU vs. EWU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) is 0.00%, while iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) has a volatility of 5.56%. This indicates that RFEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFEU	EWU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	5.56%	-5.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.43%	12.30%	-7.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.73%	14.39%	-5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.77%	16.43%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.86%	18.84%	-0.98%

RFEU vs. EWU - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFEU has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than EWU's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFEU vs. EWU - Dividend Comparison

RFEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, less than EWU's 3.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWU iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF	3.53%	3.73%	4.16%	4.14%	3.43%	4.35%	2.48%	4.13%	4.98%	3.91%	3.97%	4.11%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	2.83%	2.87%	5.45%	3.37%	4.98%	1.82%	2.32%	3.08%	2.84%	1.35%	3.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFEU and EWU in my portfolio?

RFEU and EWU have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFEU or EWU?

EWU has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEU dropped -39.74% vs EWU's -63.99%.

Which ETF is better, RFEU or EWU?

On 10-year performance, EWU leads with 7.75% vs 7.29% for RFEU. On fees, EWU is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, RFEU has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RFEU or EWU?

Over the 10-year period, EWU has performed better with a 7.75% return vs 7.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFEU or EWU?

EWU is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RFEU or EWU?

EWU has the higher dividend yield at 3.53%, compared with 2.83% for RFEU.

What is the main difference between RFEU and EWU?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFEU and 0.50% for EWU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.44), 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.