Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with EMSF. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to EMSF
EMSF charges 0.79% annually. There are 108 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | EMSF vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | EMSF vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | EMSF vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | EMSF vs IEMG | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | EMSF vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to EMSF
EMSF has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 57. There are 66 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | EMSF vs EMEQ | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | EMSF vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | EMSF vs EVLU | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 90 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | EMSF vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 87 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | EMSF vs FTHF |
Top Performing EMSF Alternatives (YTD)
EMSF is at 30.73% YTD. There are 3 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 53.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 53.76% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | EMSF vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.68% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | EMSF vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.48% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | EMSF vs STXE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.70% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | EMSF vs GEME | |
| KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index E... | 29.19% | 127.80M | Apr 2019 | EMSF vs KEMX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to EMSF
EMSF has 30.10% 1-year volatility. There are 119 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.64% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | EMSF vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | EMSF vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | EMSF vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | EMSF vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | EMSF vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to EMSF
EMSF has a 1-year max drawdown of -19.49%. There are 106 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | EMSF vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | EMSF vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | EMSF vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | EMSF vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | EMSF vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from Matthews
The 10 most viewed Matthews ETFs shown here include MKOR, ASIA, MEMX and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $158M.
Often Compared With EMSF
Investors most often compare EMSF with EEM, XCNY, FRDM. These 20 comparison targets span 4 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare EMSF with Any Fund or Stock
Compare EMSF with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair EMSF with funds that move differently
Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to EMSF.
Explore EMSF Diversifiers