VBINX vs. RNEM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

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

VBINX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 9, 1992. 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.

Performance

VBINX vs. RNEM - Performance Comparison

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

VBINX vs. RNEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund	-4.20%	13.46%	17.63%	17.41%	-16.98%	13.62%	16.26%	21.67%	-2.97%	6.49%
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%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBINX achieves a -4.20% return, which is significantly lower than RNEM's -2.20% return.

VBINX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -5.44%
• YTD: -4.20%
• 6M: -2.43%
• 1Y: 10.77%
• 3Y*: 12.47%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 8.91%

RNEM

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

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

VBINX vs. RNEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBINX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than RNEM's 0.75% expense ratio.

RNEM

First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF

VBINX

Vanguard Balanced Index Fund

Return for Risk

VBINX vs. RNEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBINX

VBINX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VBINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VBINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VBINX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VBINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VBINX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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

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.

VBINX vs. RNEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VBINX	RNEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	0.50	+0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	0.88	+0.61
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.12	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.29	0.75	+0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	1.96	+4.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBINX vs. RNEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBINX Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the RNEM Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBINX and RNEM, 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

	VBINX	RNEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00	0.50	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.32	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.23	+0.53

Correlation

The correlation between VBINX and RNEM 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

VBINX vs. RNEM - Dividend Comparison

VBINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.72%, more than RNEM's 2.81% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund	5.72%	5.89%	7.88%	4.25%	2.71%	2.71%	2.54%	2.19%	2.20%	1.83%	1.97%	1.95%
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%

Drawdowns

VBINX vs. RNEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBINX drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, smaller than the maximum RNEM drawdown of -38.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBINX and RNEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBINX	RNEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-38.38%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.80%	-10.71%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.61%	-21.41%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.78%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.84%	-8.12%	+2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-9.38%	+5.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	4.10%	-2.45%

Volatility

VBINX vs. RNEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) is 3.08%, while First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) has a volatility of 6.79%. This indicates that VBINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RNEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBINX	RNEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.08%	6.79%	-3.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.94%	9.42%	-3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.28%	17.02%	-5.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.06%	14.38%	-3.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.19%	17.28%	-6.09%