PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
SDEM vs. FEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

SDEM vs. FEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM).

SDEM and FEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. SDEM is a passively managed fund by Global X that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend. It was launched on Mar 17, 2015. FEM is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ AlphaDEX EM Index. It was launched on Apr 18, 2011. Both SDEM and FEM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

SDEM vs. FEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) and First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

SDEM vs. FEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		9.02%32.01%4.02%12.64%-21.53%2.11%-11.13%17.56%-17.40%16.57%
FEM
First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund		9.64%28.36%3.01%10.84%-14.24%7.40%-1.68%20.55%-15.51%41.05%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDEM achieves a 9.02% return, which is significantly lower than FEM's 9.64% return. Over the past 10 years, SDEM has underperformed FEM with an annualized return of 4.68%, while FEM has yielded a comparatively higher 8.47% annualized return.

SDEM

1D
2.83%
1M
-3.15%
YTD
9.02%
6M
17.87%
1Y
32.71%
3Y*
18.58%
5Y*
5.04%
10Y*
4.68%

FEM

1D
1.40%
1M
-4.37%
YTD
9.64%
6M
11.51%
1Y
35.39%
3Y*
16.74%
5Y*
6.92%
10Y*
8.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF

First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund

Often compared with SDEM:
SDEM vs. SDIVSDEM vs. ALTYSDEM vs. EFASSDEM vs. SCHDSDEM vs. SPYSDEM vs. DGRWSDEM vs. DVYA
Often compared with FEM:
FEM vs. FPADXFEM vs. RFEMFEM vs. IQQE.DEFEM vs. VWOFEM vs. AVEMFEM vs. SPEMFEM vs. FDEM

SDEM vs. FEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDEM has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than FEM's 0.80% expense ratio.

FEM
First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF

Return for Risk

SDEM vs. FEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SDEM
SDEM Risk / Return Rank: 9393
Overall Rank
SDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 9393
Omega Ratio Rank
SDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 9292
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 9393
Martin Ratio Rank
FEM
FEM Risk / Return Rank: 8888
Overall Rank
FEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
FEM Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
FEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
FEM Martin Ratio Rank: 9292
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SDEM vs. FEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) 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.

SDEMFEMDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.15

1.85

+0.30

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.80

2.34

+0.46

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.36

+0.06

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

3.31

2.66

+0.65

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

13.51

12.54

+0.97

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDEM vs. FEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the FEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDEM and FEM, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

SDEMFEMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.15

1.85

+0.30

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.29

0.38

-0.09

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.24

0.41

-0.16

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.18

0.16

+0.02

Correlation

The correlation between SDEM and FEM is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SDEM vs. FEM - Dividend Comparison

SDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, more than FEM's 2.84% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		4.92%5.27%7.28%7.50%8.86%8.14%6.30%6.47%6.55%5.01%5.06%6.14%
FEM
First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund		2.84%3.13%3.66%4.96%6.15%4.15%2.68%3.31%3.52%2.45%2.25%3.61%

Drawdowns

SDEM vs. FEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDEM drawdown since its inception was -47.38%, roughly equal to the maximum FEM drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDEM and FEM.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

SDEMFEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-47.38%

-46.23%

-1.15%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.78%

-13.19%

+3.41%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.72%

-31.72%

-5.00%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-47.38%

-46.23%

-1.15%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.01%

-5.40%

+1.39%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-20.99%

-15.20%

-5.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.39%

2.79%

-0.40%

Volatility

SDEM vs. FEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) is 7.05%, while First Trust Emerging Markets AlphaDEX Fund (FEM) has a volatility of 8.51%. This indicates that SDEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

SDEMFEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.05%

8.51%

-1.46%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.37%

13.64%

-3.27%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.29%

19.24%

-3.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.35%

18.21%

-0.86%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.31%

20.95%

-1.64%