RFEU vs. RDVY

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) and RDVY (First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RFEU is a Europe Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while RDVY is a Dividend fund tracking the Nasdaq US Rising Dividend Achievers Index. RFEU is actively managed, while RDVY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFEU returned 7.22%/yr vs 16.08%/yr for RDVY. Their 0.58 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RFEU charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for RDVY.

Performance

RFEU vs. RDVY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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 RDVY's 18.21% return. Over the past 10 years, RFEU has underperformed RDVY with an annualized return of 7.22%, while RDVY has yielded a comparatively higher 16.08% annualized return.

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 1Y: 15.37%
• 3Y*: 11.66%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 7.22%
• ALL TIME*: 7.20%

RDVY

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 2.01%
• 6M: 12.29%
• YTD: 18.21%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: 16.08%
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	$79.27M	$78.43M	$84.11M
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RFEU vs. RDVY - 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%
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	18.21%	18.90%	16.41%	20.38%	-13.27%	31.14%	13.47%	37.71%	-9.92%	22.75%

Correlation

The correlation between RFEU and RDVY is 0.39, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2016	0.58

The correlation between RFEU and RDVY shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.58 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RFEU vs. RDVY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RFEU	RDVY
Financial Services	18.9%	38.9%
Industrials	15.4%	12.5%
Healthcare	13.3%	5.6%
Technology	12.5%	19.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	11.1%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	2.8%
Energy	8.7%	2.8%
Utilities	6.4%	1.4%
Communication Services	3.8%	4.2%
Basic Materials	1.2%	-
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

RFEU vs. RDVY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 92
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 96
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 93

RDVY

RDVY Risk / Return Rank: 88
RDVY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
RDVY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RDVY Omega Ratio Rank: 85
RDVY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
RDVY Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RFEU vs. RDVY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) and First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY). 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	RDVY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.19	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	3.10	+0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.67	1.38	+0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	3.54	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.19	14.83	+2.36

RFEU vs. RDVY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFEU Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the RDVY Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFEU and RDVY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RFEU vs. RDVY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFEU drawdown since its inception was -39.74%, roughly equal to the maximum RDVY drawdown of -40.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFEU and RDVY.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFEU	RDVY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.74%	-40.60%	+0.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.83%	-9.04%	+4.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-19.11%	+5.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.92%	-25.32%	-10.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.74%	-40.60%	+0.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	0.00%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-4.95%	-4.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.30%	2.15%	-0.85%

Volatility

RFEU vs. RDVY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) is 0.00%, while First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (RDVY) has a volatility of 3.55%. This indicates that RFEU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RDVY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFEU	RDVY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	3.55%	-3.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.26%	11.40%	-10.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.02%	14.64%	-7.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	18.93%	-2.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.43%	21.03%	-3.60%

RFEU vs. RDVY - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFEU has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than RDVY's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFEU vs. RDVY - Dividend Comparison

RFEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, more than RDVY's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RDVY First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF	0.83%	1.11%	1.64%	2.09%	2.21%	1.04%	1.53%	1.55%	1.68%	1.25%	2.07%	2.14%
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	1.37%	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 RDVY in my portfolio?

RFEU and RDVY have a correlation of 0.39, 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 RDVY?

RDVY has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFEU dropped -39.74% vs RDVY's -40.60%.

Which ETF is better, RFEU or RDVY?

On 10-year performance, RDVY leads with 16.08% vs 7.22% for RFEU. On fees, RDVY is cheaper at 0.47% 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 RDVY?

Over the 10-year period, RDVY has performed better with a 16.08% return vs 7.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RFEU or RDVY?

RDVY is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

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

RFEU has the higher dividend yield at 1.37%, compared with 0.83% for RDVY.

What is the main difference between RFEU and RDVY?

RFEU is categorized as Europe Equities, while RDVY is Dividend. Their fees differ too: 0.83% for RFEU and 0.47% for RDVY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.19), 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.