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First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF(RFEM)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for RFEM
10/28/2026: RFEM (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Emerging Markets ETF (RFEM) provides actively managed exposure to emerging market equities through a proprietary, quantitative process that rotates country allocations based on valuation, growth, and trend indicators. Its primary strengths lie in this dynamic, strategy-driven approach, which allows it to avoid persistent underperformers in a way that passive market-cap-weighted indices cannot. The fund is best used as a tactical satellite holding within a broader portfolio to seek alpha in the emerging markets space. Key risks include the inherent volatility of emerging markets, geopolitical uncertainty, and the potential for active strategy underperformance compared to lower-cost benchmarks. It is most suitable for investors who value active management and are comfortable with the inherent risks and costs associated with international equity strategies.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The fund seeks capital appreciation by dynamically overweighting faster-growing emerging regions. |
| Momentum investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The strategy incorporates trend-following elements to favor countries with improving market sentiment. |
| Value investor | Strong fit | Valuation is a core component of the sub-advisor's proprietary selection model. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | The primary focus is on capital appreciation rather than yield generation. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Emerging markets are inherently volatile, and this fund's active strategy can experience significant drawdowns. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is an individual or advisor seeking a dynamic, actively managed approach to emerging market equity exposure who is willing to accept higher expense ratios in exchange for the potential of active country rotation.
Suitability
RFEM is best suited for long-term investors looking to complement a core passive portfolio with an active tactical component.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Emerging markets are subject to higher price swings compared to developed markets. |
| Market risk | High | Broad geopolitical, economic, and currency shocks can negatively impact the entire portfolio. |
| Concentration | Medium / high | The dynamic strategy may intentionally concentrate in specific regions, increasing sensitivity to those markets. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | The higher expense ratio and active management style result in costs higher than passive alternatives. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Specific emerging markets may experience periods of low liquidity during market distress. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The fund is exposed to varied corporate governance standards across different emerging nations. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
RFEM exhibits higher-than-average volatility typical of equity markets in developing nations, compounded by the active, concentrated bets taken by the sub-advisor.
Market Risk
The fund is subject to systematic risk across its holdings, including foreign currency volatility, regulatory shifts, political instability, and capital flow reversals typical of emerging markets.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | China (Large/Mid-Cap Equities) | 25 | China represents a significant component of the emerging markets landscape and is managed dynamically based on the sub-advisor's proprietary model. |
| Geography | Taiwan (Large/Mid-Cap Equities) | 20 | Taiwan provides heavy exposure to the technology and semiconductor sectors, which are vital for global emerging market performance. |
| Geography | India (Large/Mid-Cap Equities) | 18 | India offers exposure to a high-growth domestic economy with a focus on consumer and financial sectors. |
| Geography | South Korea (Large/Mid-Cap Equities) | 17 | South Korea provides exposure to industrial and technology leaders within the emerging markets framework. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Equivalents | 20 | Residual cash is held for liquidity and rebalancing purposes within the dynamic rotation strategy. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 42.97% | Avg. Invested days 95 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | ETF Returns Performance  5.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/28/2026 |
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