SPEU vs. RFEU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEU (SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF) and RFEU (First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds. SPEU is passively managed, while RFEU is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEU returned 9.17%/yr vs 7.29%/yr for RFEU. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPEU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.83%/yr for RFEU.

Performance

SPEU vs. RFEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEU achieves a 5.34% return, which is significantly higher than RFEU's 1.50% return. Over the past 10 years, SPEU has outperformed RFEU with an annualized return of 9.17%, while RFEU has yielded a comparatively lower 7.29% annualized return.

SPEU

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

RFEU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 1.50%
• 6M: 4.04%
• 1Y: 13.97%
• 3Y*: 12.44%
• 5Y*: 3.74%
• 10Y*: 7.29%

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

SPEU vs. RFEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	5.34%	35.80%	1.93%	19.85%	-15.97%	16.20%	6.35%	26.15%	-13.79%	23.80%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEU and RFEU is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2016	0.82

The correlation between SPEU and RFEU shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.82 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEU vs. RFEU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEU	RFEU
Financial Services	13.3%	18.9%
Healthcare	10.4%	13.3%
Technology	9.2%	12.5%
Industrials	6.1%	15.4%
Energy	5.3%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	9.3%
Basic Materials	3.4%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	10.6%
Real Estate	1.6%	-
Utilities	1.5%	6.4%
Communication Services	0.9%	3.8%

Return for Risk

SPEU vs. RFEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEU

SPEU Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SPEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SPEU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

RFEU

RFEU Risk / Return Rank: 59
RFEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
RFEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
RFEU Omega Ratio Rank: 65
RFEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
RFEU Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SPEU vs. RFEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU). 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.

	SPEU	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.77	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.57	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.39	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	2.99	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	10.93	-5.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEU vs. RFEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is lower than the RFEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEU and RFEU, 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

	SPEU	RFEU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.77	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.23	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.41	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.41	-0.10

Drawdowns

SPEU vs. RFEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEU drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than RFEU's maximum drawdown of -39.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEU and RFEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEU	RFEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-39.74%	-22.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-5.15%	-6.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-13.48%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.70%	-35.92%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.83%	-39.74%	+2.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-0.11%	-2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.85%	-9.62%	-4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	1.35%	+1.94%

Volatility

SPEU vs. RFEU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) has a higher volatility of 5.75% compared to First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF (RFEU) at 0.00%. This indicates that SPEU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEU	RFEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	0.00%	+5.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	4.43%	+8.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	8.73%	+6.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	16.77%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.51%	17.86%	+0.65%

SPEU vs. RFEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than RFEU's 0.83% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPEU vs. RFEU - Dividend Comparison

SPEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than RFEU's 2.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RFEU First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Europe ETF	2.83%	2.87%	5.45%	3.37%	4.98%	1.82%	2.32%	3.08%	2.84%	1.35%	3.16%	0.00%
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	3.40%	3.47%	3.29%	2.91%	3.08%	2.67%	2.29%	3.19%	3.99%	2.82%	3.66%	3.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEU and RFEU in my portfolio?

SPEU and RFEU have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEU or RFEU?

SPEU has higher volatility (5.75%) compared to RFEU (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEU dropped -62.45% vs RFEU's -39.74%.

Which ETF is better, SPEU or RFEU?

On 10-year performance, SPEU leads with 9.17% vs 7.29% for RFEU. On fees, SPEU is cheaper at 0.09% 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, SPEU or RFEU?

Over the 10-year period, SPEU has performed better with a 9.17% return vs 7.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEU or RFEU?

SPEU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.83% for RFEU.

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

SPEU has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.83% for RFEU.

What is the main difference between SPEU and RFEU?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPEU and 0.83% for RFEU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.17), 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.