RNEM vs. STXE

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

RNEM (First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - RNEM tracks the Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, RNEM returned 6.73%/yr vs 23.32%/yr for STXE. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RNEM charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.

Performance

RNEM vs. STXE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RNEM achieves a 3.95% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 31.48% return.

RNEM

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 4.02%
• 6M: 1.40%
• YTD: 3.95%
• 1Y: 9.33%
• 3Y*: 6.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.46%

STXE

• 1D: 2.93%
• 1M: -5.07%
• 6M: 18.30%
• YTD: 31.48%
• 1Y: 56.34%
• 3Y*: 23.32%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.35%

*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)
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	$35.85K	$33.48K	$54.35K
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	$412.67K	$566.81K	$571.67K

RNEM vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	3.95%	15.58%	-1.47%	18.50%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	31.48%	34.23%	2.09%	12.38%

Correlation

The correlation between RNEM and STXE is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023	0.70

The correlation between RNEM and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

RNEM vs. STXE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RNEM	STXE
Financial Services	36.0%	15.7%
Basic Materials	13.8%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	1.4%
Communication Services	8.5%	3.2%
Energy	6.5%	3.5%
Technology	6.5%	40.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.9%	1.7%
Healthcare	4.5%	0.6%
Industrials	4.1%	5.0%
Utilities	3.4%	1.1%
Real Estate	0.8%	0.4%

Return for Risk

RNEM vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNEM

RNEM Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
RNEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
RNEM Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RNEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
RNEM Martin Ratio Rank: 28

STXE

STXE Risk / Return Rank: 79
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 81
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

RNEM vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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.

	RNEM	STXE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	1.86	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	2.40	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.34	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	2.73	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.31	10.29	-7.98

RNEM vs. STXE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNEM Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the STXE Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNEM and STXE, 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

RNEM vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNEM drawdown since its inception was -38.38%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -20.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNEM and STXE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNEM	STXE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.38%	-20.38%	-18.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-20.38%	+9.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.09%	-20.38%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.33%	-14.59%	+12.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.23%	-3.95%	-5.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	5.39%	-1.35%

Volatility

RNEM vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) is 3.15%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 13.05%. This indicates that RNEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RNEM	STXE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.15%	13.05%	-9.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.89%	28.09%	-17.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.51%	29.83%	-17.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.47%	20.17%	-5.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.14%	20.17%	-3.03%

RNEM vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNEM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

RNEM vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison

RNEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.28%, more than STXE's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	2.28%	2.75%	3.45%	1.63%	2.99%	3.20%	3.01%	2.85%	2.85%	2.28%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.91%	2.66%	3.22%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNEM and STXE in my portfolio?

RNEM and STXE have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RNEM or STXE?

STXE has higher volatility (13.05%) compared to RNEM (3.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNEM dropped -38.38% vs STXE's -20.38%.

Which ETF is better, RNEM or STXE?

On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 23.32% vs 6.73% for RNEM. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, RNEM has been the lower-risk option at 3.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RNEM or STXE?

Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 23.32% return vs 6.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RNEM or STXE?

STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for RNEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RNEM or STXE?

RNEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.28%, compared with 1.91% for STXE.

What is the main difference between RNEM and STXE?

RNEM tracks Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for RNEM and 0.32% for STXE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 0.75), 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.