RFEU vs. PBEU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) and PBEU (Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFEU is a Europe Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while PBEU is a Financials Equities fund tracking the BITA European Banks Index. RFEU is actively managed, while PBEU is passively managed. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RFEU charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBEU.

Performance

RFEU vs. PBEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU). 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 PBEU's 13.63% return.

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 13.93%
• 3Y*: 12.26%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: 8.10%

PBEU

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: 7.22%
• YTD: 13.63%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

RFEU vs. PBEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	1.50%	5.40%
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	13.63%	11.42%

Correlation

The correlation between RFEU and PBEU is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025	0.18

Return for Risk

RFEU vs. PBEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 67
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 67

PBEU

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. PBEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RFEU	PBEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.26	—	—

Drawdowns

RFEU vs. PBEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFEU drawdown since its inception was -39.74%, which is greater than PBEU's maximum drawdown of -17.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEU and PBEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFEU	PBEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.74%	-17.26%	-22.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.15%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.74%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-1.42%	+1.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.57%	-3.94%	-5.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.35%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	RFEU	PBEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.51%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.39%	27.63%	-19.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.76%	27.63%	-10.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.53%	27.63%	-10.10%

RFEU vs. PBEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFEU has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than PBEU's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFEU vs. PBEU - Dividend Comparison

RFEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, more than PBEU's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFEU and PBEU in my portfolio?

RFEU and PBEU 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.

Which ETF is better, RFEU or PBEU?

On fees, PBEU is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFEU or PBEU?

PBEU is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

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

RFEU has the higher dividend yield at 2.83%, compared with 0.01% for PBEU.

What is the main difference between RFEU and PBEU?

RFEU is categorized as Europe Equities, while PBEU is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFEU and 0.13% for PBEU.