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FEMS ETF — Holdings & Analysis

The First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) is an international equity ETF with $0.25 billion in assets under management. It seeks to track the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Emerging Markets Small Cap Index, employing a unique stock selection process. FEMS distinguishes itself through its AlphaDEX methodology, which aims to identify and overweight stocks with superior growth potential and value characteristics within the emerging markets small-cap universe. The fund's expense ratio is 0.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) ETF — Price, Holdings & Analysis

The First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) is an international equity ETF with $0.25 billion in assets under management. It seeks to track the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Emerging Markets Small Cap Index, employing a unique stock selection process. FEMS distinguishes itself through its AlphaDEX methodology, which aims to identify and overweight stocks with superior growth potential and value characteristics within the emerging markets small-cap universe. The fund's expense ratio is 0.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

ETF Overview

The First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield, before the Fund's fees and expenses, of an equity index called the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Emerging Markets Small Cap Index.
FEMS aims to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Emerging Markets Small Cap Index. This index employs the AlphaDEX stock selection methodology, which ranks stocks based on growth factors like sales growth, price appreciation, and momentum, as well as value factors such as book value to price, cash flow to price, and return on assets. The fund overweights stocks with the highest combined scores, seeking to outperform traditional market-cap-weighted indexes. FEMS invests in a diverse portfolio of emerging market small-cap companies, with top holdings including Ezconn Corp (1.98%), PT Energi Mega Persada Tbk (1.50%), and IOI Properties Group Bhd (1.39%). Sector allocation is led by Technology (14.1%), Industrials (12.1%), and Consumer Cyclical (11.6%). The fund offers exposure to a range of emerging economies, with significant allocations to China (19.2%), Brazil (16.1%), and Taiwan (15.8%). This ETF may be suitable for investors seeking targeted exposure to emerging market small-cap stocks with a focus on growth and value characteristics. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk Metrics

FEMS carries several risks inherent to emerging market small-cap investing. Its focus on smaller companies can lead to higher volatility compared to large-cap-focused ETFs. The fund's emerging market exposure introduces geopolitical and currency risks, as these markets can be more susceptible to political instability and economic fluctuations. With an expense ratio of 0.80%, the fund's cost can create a drag on returns, especially relative to lower-cost broad market ETFs. The fund's beta of 0.69 (3Y) suggests it is less volatile than the overall market. The fund's top 10 holdings account for approximately 13.83% of the portfolio, indicating some concentration risk. Sector allocation shows a tilt towards Technology, Industrials, and Consumer Cyclical, which could impact performance if these sectors underperform. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Expense Ratio

0.80%

Top Holdings

Sector Allocation

  • Technology: 14.1%
  • Industrials: 12.1%
  • Consumer Cyclical: 11.6%
  • Real Estate: 10.5%
  • Basic Materials: 10.1%
  • Energy: 9.9%
  • Consumer Defensive: 8.5%
  • Utilities: 8.0%
  • Financial Services: 6.0%
  • Healthcare: 5.8%
  • Communication Services: 3.3%
  • China: 19.2%
  • Brazil: 16.1%
  • Taiwan: 15.8%
  • Indonesia: 10.8%
  • Turkey: 9.6%
  • Thailand: 6.6%
  • South Africa: 6.5%
  • Malaysia: 2.6%
  • Mexico: 2.5%
  • Philippines: 2.3%

Dividend Yield

3.72%
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  • <a href="/etf/rfem">First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM)</a> — 0.99% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/hedj">WisdomTree Europe Hedged Equity Fund (HEDJ)</a> — 0.58% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/bbem">JPMorgan BetaBuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM)</a> — 0.15% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/rfem">First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM)</a> (International Equity) — 0.99% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/bufr">FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR)</a> (Multi-Asset) — 0.95% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/fep">First Trust Europe AlphaDEX Fund (FEP)</a> (International Equity) — 0.80% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/fdt">First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT)</a> (International Equity) — 0.80% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/mcef">First Trust Flexible Municipal High Income ETF (MCEF)</a> (Equity) — 0.66% expense ratio
  • <a href="/etf/fdni">First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI)</a> (International Equity) — 0.65% expense ratio

Risk Metrics

  • Beta: 0.69

Questions & Answers

What is FEMS and what does it track?

The First Trust Emerging Markets Small Cap AlphaDEX Fund (FEMS) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to track the investment results of the Nasdaq AlphaDEX Emerging Markets Small Cap Index. This index is designed to identify and select emerging market small-cap stocks with the potential for superior risk-adjusted returns. The AlphaDEX methodology uses growth and value factors to rank and select stocks, aiming to outperform traditional market-cap-weighted indexes. FEMS provides investors with targeted exposure to a diversified portfolio of emerging market small-cap companies.

What is the expense ratio for FEMS?

The expense ratio for FEMS is 0.80%. This means that for every $10,000 invested in the fund, $80 is used to cover the fund's operating expenses. While this provides access to a unique AlphaDEX strategy within the emerging markets small-cap space, it is higher than some broad-based emerging market ETFs. the may be worth researching expense ratio in the context of the fund's potential returns and investment strategy. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

What are the top holdings in FEMS?

As of 2026-03-15, the top holdings in FEMS include Ezconn Corp (1.98%), PT Energi Mega Persada Tbk (1.50%), and IOI Properties Group Bhd (1.39%). These holdings represent a relatively small portion of the overall portfolio, as FEMS holds 224 different stocks. The fund's diversified approach aims to reduce the impact of any single holding on overall performance. Investors should review the complete list of holdings to understand the fund's specific exposures.

Is FEMS a good long-term investment?

Whether FEMS is a suitable long-term investment depends on an individual's investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. The fund offers exposure to the potential growth of emerging market small-cap companies, which may provide diversification benefits. However, emerging markets can be more volatile than developed markets, and small-cap stocks can be more sensitive to economic fluctuations. Investors should carefully consider the fund's investment strategy, expense ratio, and risk factors before making a decision. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How does FEMS compare to similar ETFs?

FEMS differentiates itself from other emerging market ETFs through its AlphaDEX methodology, which aims to select stocks with superior growth and value characteristics. While many emerging market ETFs are market-cap-weighted, FEMS actively selects and weights stocks based on its proprietary index. The fund's expense ratio of 0.80% may be higher than some passively managed emerging market ETFs. With AUM of $0.25 billion, FEMS is smaller than some of the larger, more established emerging market ETFs. Investors should compare FEMS to other ETFs based on their investment strategy, expense ratio, AUM, and historical performance.

Does FEMS pay dividends?

Yes, FEMS does pay dividends. The fund's current dividend yield is 3.72%. This yield reflects the income generated by the fund's underlying holdings, net of expenses. Dividend payments can vary over time depending on the performance of the underlying companies and the fund's distribution policy. Investors seeking income from their investments may find FEMS's dividend yield attractive.