VGTSX vs. RNEM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VGTSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares) and RNEM (First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF) are both funds - VGTSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while RNEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Riskalyze Emerging Markets Equity Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGTSX returned 8.75%/yr vs 5.66%/yr for RNEM. Their 0.68 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VGTSX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for RNEM.

Performance

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGTSX achieves a 12.81% return, which is significantly higher than RNEM's 4.10% return.

VGTSX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.18%
• 6M: 6.40%
• YTD: 12.81%
• 1Y: 27.66%
• 3Y*: 17.12%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: 9.36%
• ALL TIME*: 5.82%

RNEM

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 4.17%
• 6M: 0.60%
• YTD: 4.10%
• 1Y: 9.49%
• 3Y*: 7.48%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.47%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	$36.95K	$31.61K	$54.56K
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	12.81%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	21.44%	-14.47%	11.52%
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	4.10%	15.58%	-1.47%	23.43%	-8.75%	6.16%	-8.16%	12.76%	-9.34%	11.97%

Correlation

The correlation between VGTSX and RNEM is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017	0.68

The correlation between VGTSX and RNEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGTSX vs. RNEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

RNEM

RNEM Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
RNEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
RNEM Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RNEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
RNEM Martin Ratio Rank: 28

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VGTSX	RNEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	0.76	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	1.16	+1.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.14	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	0.89	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	2.35	+6.63

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the RNEM Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGTSX and RNEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGTSX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, which is greater than RNEM's maximum drawdown of -38.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGTSX and RNEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGTSX	RNEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-38.38%	-23.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-10.71%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-13.09%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.56%	-21.41%	-8.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.58%	-2.19%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.91%	-9.22%	-4.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	4.04%	-1.00%

Volatility

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) has a higher volatility of 5.27% compared to First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF (RNEM) at 3.09%. This indicates that VGTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RNEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGTSX	RNEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.27%	3.09%	+2.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.15%	10.83%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.98%	12.51%	+3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.35%	14.47%	+0.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.83%	17.14%	-1.31%

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGTSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than RNEM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGTSX vs. RNEM - Dividend Comparison

VGTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, more than RNEM's 2.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RNEM First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF	2.28%	2.75%	3.45%	1.63%	2.99%	3.20%	3.01%	2.85%	2.85%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.48%	3.08%	3.26%	3.16%	2.98%	2.99%	2.05%	2.98%	3.09%	2.68%	2.86%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGTSX and RNEM in my portfolio?

VGTSX and RNEM have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGTSX or RNEM?

VGTSX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to RNEM (3.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGTSX dropped -61.48% vs RNEM's -38.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 0.76), 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.