WCMI vs. VEA

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

WCMI (First Trust WCM International Equity ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. WCMI is actively managed, while VEA is passively managed. Over the past year, WCMI returned 23.73% vs 28.59% for VEA. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WCMI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

WCMI vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust WCM International Equity ETF (WCMI) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with WCMI having a 15.33% return and VEA slightly lower at 14.85%.

WCMI

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 2.39%
• YTD: 15.33%
• 6M: 14.86%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VEA

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 14.85%
• 6M: 14.27%
• 1Y: 28.59%
• 3Y*: 19.21%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

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

WCMI vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
WCMI First Trust WCM International Equity ETF	15.33%	30.32%	-5.10%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.85%	35.16%	-6.97%

Correlation

The correlation between WCMI and VEA is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2024	0.85

The correlation between WCMI and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WCMI vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

WCMI

WCMI Risk / Return Rank: 42
WCMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
WCMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
WCMI Omega Ratio Rank: 37
WCMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
WCMI Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 60
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

WCMI vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust WCM International Equity ETF (WCMI) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	WCMI	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.71	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	2.36	-0.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.32	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.47	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.08	9.45	-2.38

WCMI vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WCMI Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WCMI and VEA, 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

WCMI vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WCMI drawdown since its inception was -12.79%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WCMI and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	WCMI	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.79%	-60.68%	+47.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.49%	-11.63%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.45%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.71%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-1.57%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.25%	-13.25%	+11.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	3.03%	+0.33%

Volatility

WCMI vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

First Trust WCM International Equity ETF (WCMI) has a higher volatility of 7.62% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 7.00%. This indicates that WCMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WCMI	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	7.00%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.52%	14.80%	+1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.24%	16.76%	+2.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.48%	16.77%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.48%	17.17%	+1.31%

WCMI vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

WCMI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

WCMI vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

WCMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, less than VEA's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.54%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
WCMI First Trust WCM International Equity ETF	0.53%	0.78%	15.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WCMI and VEA in my portfolio?

WCMI and VEA have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WCMI or VEA?

WCMI has higher volatility (7.62%) compared to VEA (7.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WCMI dropped -12.79% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, WCMI or VEA?

On 1-year performance, VEA leads with 28.59% vs 23.73% for WCMI. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VEA has been the lower-risk option at 7.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WCMI or VEA?

Over the 1-year period, VEA has performed better with a 28.59% return vs 23.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WCMI or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for WCMI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WCMI or VEA?

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 0.53% for WCMI.

What is the main difference between WCMI and VEA?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for WCMI and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.24), 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.