First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) Performance
WCME total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +3.4% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +3.2% total return
- Since first price
- +24.9% since 2024
WCME trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | WCME total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −7.5% | −7.5% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −5.1% | −5.1% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −2.4% | −2.6% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +3.4% | +3.2% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +3.2% | +2.8% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| Since inceptionOct 7, 2024 | +24.9% | +23.0% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: WCME vs SPY
From Oct 7, 2024: WCME grew to $12,487, SPY to $13,693.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
WCME returns by calendar year
1 of 1 full years positive. Best 2025 (+35.2%), worst 2025 (+35.2%). 2026 is year to date.
WCME annual returns table
| Year | WCME | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +3.4% | −15.6% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +35.2% | −13.6% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
WCME largest drawdowns
Now 12.1% below the high| Peak | Decline | Bottom | Recovered | Fall | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 2026 | −15.6% | Mar 30, 2026 | May 5, 2026 | 2 months | 3 months |
| Oct 7, 2024 | −15.3% | Apr 8, 2025 | May 2, 2025 | 6 months | 7 months |
| Jun 2, 2026 | −12.7% | Oct 22, 2026 | not yet | 5 months | 5 months so far |
Declines from a closing high (distributions reinvested) of 10% or more. Underwater = time from the peak until the old high was regained.
WCME risk statistics
| Statistic | Since 2024 |
|---|---|
| Annualized return | +19.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.88 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.52 |
| Best month | +12.2% |
| Worst month | −10.1% |
| Best 12 months | +40.7% |
| Worst 12 months | +11.4% |
| Positive months | 61% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
WCME rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 13 | +1.5% | +28.4% | +40.7% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2024. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
WCME performance overview
First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) returned +3.2% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price on Oct 7, 2024 it has returned +24.9%. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
The deepest decline was −15.6%, from Jan 28, 2026 to Mar 30, 2026, and it took 36 days to get back to the old high. Volatility has been 17.1% a year.
Related: WCME chart, WCME holdings, WCME dividends. See the WCME overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
WCME performance FAQ
What is the WCME return over the past year?
WCME returned +3.2% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it rose 2.8%.
How much would $10,000 invested in WCME be worth?
$10,000 invested in WCME at its first recorded close on October 7, 2024 would be worth about $12,487 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What is the biggest drawdown of WCME?
The largest peak-to-trough decline was −15.6% between January 28, 2026 and March 30, 2026. It recovered to the old high on May 5, 2026, 36 days after the bottom.
How volatile is WCME?
Over the past history WCME had an annualized volatility of 17.1% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.88 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).