RWEM vs. FEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RWEM (Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and FEM (First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - RWEM tracks the FT Wilshire Emerging Large NxtGen Index while FEM tracks the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, RWEM returned 25.41%/yr vs 20.73%/yr for FEM. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RWEM charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FEM.

Performance

RWEM vs. FEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF (RWEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RWEM achieves a 26.61% return, which is significantly higher than FEM's 20.43% return.

RWEM

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 12.70%
• YTD: 26.61%
• 6M: 37.26%
• 1Y: 56.82%
• 3Y*: 25.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FEM

• 1D: -1.38%
• 1M: -0.66%
• YTD: 20.43%
• 6M: 22.40%
• 1Y: 42.41%
• 3Y*: 20.73%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 9.75%

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

RWEM vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
RWEM Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.61%	28.17%	7.24%	21.56%	-20.11%	0.42%
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	20.43%	28.36%	3.01%	10.84%	-14.24%	0.59%

Correlation

The correlation between RWEM and FEM is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2021	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between RWEM and FEM has dropped to 0.41 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RWEM vs. FEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RWEM	FEM
Technology	36.8%	24.5%
Financial Services	23.6%	7.0%
Basic Materials	7.9%	8.6%
Industrials	6.5%	20.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	5.7%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	2.8%
Energy	4.3%	14.1%
Utilities	2.5%	6.2%
Real Estate	1.8%	2.5%
Healthcare	1.4%	3.1%

Return for Risk

RWEM vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

RWEM

RWEM Risk / Return Rank: 60
RWEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
RWEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
RWEM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
RWEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
RWEM Martin Ratio Rank: 66

FEM

FEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

RWEM vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF (RWEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). 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.

	RWEM	FEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.45	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.11	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.43	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	4.58	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.99	17.35	-5.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RWEM vs. FEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RWEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the FEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RWEM and FEM, 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

	RWEM	FEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.45	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.19	+0.40

Drawdowns

RWEM vs. FEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RWEM drawdown since its inception was -26.92%, smaller than the maximum FEM drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RWEM and FEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	RWEM	FEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.92%	-46.23%	+19.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.39%	-9.31%	-6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.56%	-18.79%	-3.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.72%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.46%	+2.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.64%	-15.04%	+5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.75%	2.45%	+2.30%

Volatility

RWEM vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison

Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF (RWEM) has a higher volatility of 8.57% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) at 6.18%. This indicates that RWEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RWEM	FEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.57%	6.18%	+2.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.47%	14.47%	+15.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.82%	17.40%	+14.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.36%	18.39%	+2.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.36%	20.96%	+0.40%

RWEM vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

RWEM has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

RWEM vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison

RWEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.70%, less than FEM's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEM First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund	2.58%	3.13%	3.66%	4.96%	6.15%	4.15%	2.68%	3.31%	3.52%	2.45%	2.25%	3.61%
RWEM Rayliant Wilshire NxtGen Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.70%	2.15%	3.59%	1.60%	5.59%	0.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RWEM and FEM in my portfolio?

RWEM and FEM have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RWEM or FEM?

RWEM has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to FEM (6.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RWEM dropped -26.92% vs FEM's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, RWEM or FEM?

On 3-year performance, RWEM leads with 25.41% vs 20.73% for FEM. On fees, RWEM is cheaper at 0.52% per year. On volatility, FEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RWEM or FEM?

Over the 3-year period, RWEM has performed better with a 25.41% return vs 20.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RWEM or FEM?

RWEM is cheaper with a 0.52% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RWEM or FEM?

FEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.58%, compared with 1.70% for RWEM.

What is the main difference between RWEM and FEM?

RWEM tracks FT Wilshire Emerging Large NxtGen Index, while FEM tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. They also come from different issuers: Rayliant and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for RWEM and 0.80% for FEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.79), 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.