TLTE vs. MFEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM).

TLTE and MFEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. TLTE is a passively managed fund by Northern Trust that tracks the performance of the Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index. It was launched on Sep 28, 2012. MFEM is a passively managed fund by PIMCO that tracks the performance of the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index. It was launched on Aug 31, 2017. Both TLTE and MFEM 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

TLTE vs. MFEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

TLTE vs. MFEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index	5.25%	30.21%	3.53%	13.62%	-17.31%	4.79%	12.10%	14.51%	-17.44%	6.70%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	8.20%	25.33%	4.73%	15.14%	-19.50%	10.77%	11.33%	15.26%	-14.64%	4.82%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLTE achieves a 5.25% return, which is significantly lower than MFEM's 8.20% return.

TLTE

• 1D: 3.47%
• 1M: -9.36%
• YTD: 5.25%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 33.03%
• 3Y*: 15.38%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 7.79%

MFEM

• 1D: 2.92%
• 1M: -9.87%
• YTD: 8.20%
• 6M: 12.54%
• 1Y: 35.23%
• 3Y*: 16.17%
• 5Y*: 6.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

TLTE vs. MFEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLTE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than MFEM's 0.49% expense ratio.

TLTE

FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index

MFEM

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF

Return for Risk

TLTE vs. MFEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TLTE

TLTE Risk / Return Rank: 86
TLTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
TLTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
TLTE Omega Ratio Rank: 87
TLTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
TLTE Martin Ratio Rank: 85

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 88
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

TLTE vs. MFEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). 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.

	TLTE	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.89	-0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.47	-0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.37	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	2.71	-0.23
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.89	10.38	-0.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TLTE vs. MFEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLTE Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the MFEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLTE and MFEM, 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

	TLTE	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	1.89	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.40	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.32	-0.05

Correlation

The correlation between TLTE and MFEM is 0.93, 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

TLTE vs. MFEM - Dividend Comparison

TLTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.57%, more than MFEM's 2.56% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index	3.57%	3.76%	3.73%	4.03%	4.42%	3.21%	1.95%	3.23%	3.02%	2.12%	2.30%	2.00%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.96%	2.77%	5.89%	4.01%	7.01%	29.96%	1.70%	2.37%	1.18%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

TLTE vs. MFEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLTE drawdown since its inception was -44.21%, roughly equal to the maximum MFEM drawdown of -43.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLTE and MFEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLTE	MFEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.21%	-43.32%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.04%	-12.86%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.51%	-31.39%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.02%	-10.31%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.28%	-11.67%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	3.36%	-0.09%

Volatility

TLTE vs. MFEM - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) have volatilities of 10.32% and 10.30%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLTE	MFEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.32%	10.30%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.94%	14.44%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.27%	18.72%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.41%	16.12%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	19.22%	-0.99%