EMC vs RFEM
Global X Emerging Markets Great Consumer ETF vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, EMC or RFEM?
RFEM has been ahead.
EMC has a lower expense ratio. RFEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EMC | RFEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65%Best | 0.99% |
| AUM | $56M | $84M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 80 | 119 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.3 years | $15,351 | $20,675Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2010 | Jun 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 33 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. EMC has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RFEM through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 15, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.2% for RFEM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.4% for EMC and -15.8% for RFEM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMC charges 0.65% per year while RFEM charges 0.99%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $99 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMC currently yields 0.56% against 2.51% for RFEM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.8% of RFEM's money is in holdings EMC also owns.
Stated as a floor: for EMC, our book for it covers 85.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
RFEM and EMC share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 58 days apart, EMC as of Oct 2, 2026 and RFEM as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in EMC and 111 in RFEM, against full books of 80 and 119.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EMC | Weight in RFEM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2454:TWMediaTek Inc ORD TWD10 | 4.57% | 6.60% | 2.03% |
| HDFCBANK:MBHdfc Bank Limited | 1.33% | 1.84% | 0.51% |
| INDIGO:MBInterglobe Aviation Ltd | 0.91% | 1.07% | 0.16% |
| 3690:HKMeituan-Dianping Class B | 0.59% | 0.25% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMC and RFEM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EMC or RFEM?
EMC has an expense ratio of 0.65% while RFEM charges 0.99%. EMC is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, EMC or RFEM?
EMC has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.2% for RFEM. Worst drawdown: EMC -18.4% vs RFEM -15.8%.
Should I hold both EMC and RFEM?
EMC and RFEM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EMC and RFEM?
At least 9.8% of RFEM's money is in holdings EMC also owns. Our book for EMC is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in EMC and 111 in RFEM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMC or RFEM?
EMC yields 0.56% while RFEM yields 2.51%, so RFEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFEM better than EMC?
EMC has a lower expense ratio. RFEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.