WAEMX vs. FESCX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX).

WAEMX is managed by Wasatch. It was launched on Sep 30, 2007. FESCX is managed by First Eagle. It was launched on Apr 26, 2021.

Performance

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	4.12%	5.85%	-2.21%	21.20%	-38.76%	9.21%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	6.03%	13.33%	6.47%	16.75%	-14.05%	1.23%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAEMX achieves a 4.12% return, which is significantly lower than FESCX's 6.03% return.

WAEMX

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: -5.85%
• YTD: 4.12%
• 6M: 9.04%
• 1Y: 21.06%
• 3Y*: 6.68%
• 5Y*: -0.10%
• 10Y*: 6.63%

FESCX

• 1D: 2.58%
• 1M: -7.09%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 7.59%
• 1Y: 32.73%
• 3Y*: 12.03%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAEMX has a 1.91% expense ratio, which is higher than FESCX's 1.00% expense ratio.

WAEMX

Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund

FESCX

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund

Return for Risk

WAEMX vs. FESCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAEMX

WAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 70
WAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
WAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
WAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
WAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
WAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

FESCX

FESCX Risk / Return Rank: 76
FESCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
FESCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
FESCX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
FESCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FESCX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX). 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.

	WAEMX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.38	-0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	1.99	-0.17
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.27	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	2.20	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.78	8.54	-0.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAEMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the FESCX Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAEMX and FESCX, 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

	WAEMX	FESCX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.38	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.25	0.00

Correlation

The correlation between WAEMX and FESCX is 0.55, 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

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Dividend Comparison

WAEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 67.61%, more than FESCX's 0.97% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
WAEMX Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund	67.61%	70.40%	6.49%	0.00%	3.32%	6.03%	7.15%	5.82%	12.81%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%
FESCX First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund	0.97%	1.03%	1.56%	0.60%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAEMX drawdown since its inception was -66.35%, which is greater than FESCX's maximum drawdown of -28.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAEMX and FESCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAEMX	FESCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.35%	-28.53%	-37.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.38%	-14.72%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.88%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.97%	-7.16%	-15.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.87%	-9.12%	-7.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	3.80%	-1.15%

Volatility

WAEMX vs. FESCX - Volatility Comparison

Wasatch Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund (WAEMX) and First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (FESCX) have volatilities of 7.25% and 7.50%, 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

	WAEMX	FESCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.25%	7.50%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.20%	14.47%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.78%	23.99%	-7.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.41%	22.79%	-5.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	22.79%	-4.85%