RNEM vs. VBIAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX).

RNEM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. It was launched on Jun 20, 2017. VBIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.

Performance

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	-2.20%	15.58%	-1.47%	23.43%	-8.75%	6.16%	-8.16%	12.76%	-9.34%	11.97%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	-4.19%	13.61%	14.58%	17.54%	-16.90%	14.21%	16.40%	21.78%	-2.86%	6.55%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RNEM achieves a -2.20% return, which is significantly higher than VBIAX's -4.19% return.

RNEM

• 1D: 2.90%
• 1M: -6.94%
• YTD: -2.20%
• 6M: 0.76%
• 1Y: 8.54%
• 3Y*: 9.43%
• 5Y*: 4.61%
• 10Y*: —

VBIAX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -5.43%
• YTD: -4.19%
• 6M: -2.40%
• 1Y: 10.89%
• 3Y*: 11.56%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 8.77%

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

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNEM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

RNEM

First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF

VBIAX

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares

Return for Risk

RNEM vs. VBIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNEM

RNEM Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
RNEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
RNEM Omega Ratio Rank: 30
RNEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
RNEM Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VBIAX

VBIAX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VBIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VBIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VBIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VBIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VBIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX). 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.

	RNEM	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	1.01	-0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.88	1.51	-0.62
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.22	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.75	1.31	-0.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.96	6.22	-4.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNEM Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the VBIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNEM and VBIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RNEM	VBIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50	1.01	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.58	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.60	-0.37

Correlation

The correlation between RNEM and VBIAX is 0.49, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Dividend Comparison

RNEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, less than VBIAX's 5.84% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	2.81%	2.75%	3.45%	1.63%	2.99%	3.20%	3.01%	2.85%	2.85%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%
VBIAX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares	5.84%	6.00%	5.27%	4.35%	2.83%	3.19%	2.65%	2.28%	2.32%	1.95%	2.09%	2.09%

Drawdowns

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNEM drawdown since its inception was -38.38%, which is greater than VBIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNEM and VBIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNEM	VBIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.38%	-35.90%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.71%	-7.78%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.41%	-21.53%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.12%	-5.83%	-2.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.38%	-4.47%	-4.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	1.64%	+2.46%

Volatility

RNEM vs. VBIAX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) has a higher volatility of 6.79% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBIAX) at 3.07%. This indicates that RNEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RNEM	VBIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	3.07%	+3.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	5.93%	+3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.02%	11.27%	+5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	11.02%	+3.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	11.17%	+6.11%