AVEM vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. AVEM is actively managed, while EMDM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVEM returned 21.03%/yr vs 28.08%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AVEM charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

AVEM vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVEM achieves a 17.91% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 28.39% return.

AVEM

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: -2.39%
• 6M: 8.89%
• YTD: 17.91%
• 1Y: 34.54%
• 3Y*: 21.03%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.68%

EMDM

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -3.12%
• 6M: 12.42%
• YTD: 28.39%
• 1Y: 66.69%
• 3Y*: 28.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.54%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$187.25M	$189.91M	$183.19M
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$370.33K	$752.09K	$541.22K

AVEM vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	17.91%	34.48%	7.49%	10.23%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	28.39%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEM and EMDM is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.91

The correlation between AVEM and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVEM vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVEM	EMDM
Technology	41.9%	39.9%
Financial Services	18.9%	25.6%
Industrials	7.9%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	5.3%
Basic Materials	6.4%	12.7%
Communication Services	4.9%	4.0%
Energy	3.9%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	3.1%
Healthcare	2.6%	0.5%
Utilities	2.2%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

AVEM vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 62
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 89
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AVEM vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AVEM	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.41	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	2.94	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.42	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	4.28	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.71	13.58	-5.88

AVEM vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEM and EMDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVEM vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEM drawdown since its inception was -36.05%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEM and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEM	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.05%	-18.81%	-17.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.28%	-15.65%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.02%	-18.81%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.81%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.93%	-10.51%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.02%	-4.21%	-5.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.49%	4.93%	-0.44%

Volatility

AVEM vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) is 8.83%, while First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a volatility of 9.92%. This indicates that AVEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEM	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.83%	9.92%	-1.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.75%	25.36%	-3.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.93%	27.91%	-3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	21.15%	-1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.06%	21.15%	-0.09%

AVEM vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEM has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEM vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

AVEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than EMDM's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.94%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.95%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEM and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, AVEM and EMDM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AVEM or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.92%) compared to AVEM (8.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEM dropped -36.05% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, AVEM or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 28.08% vs 21.03% for AVEM. On fees, AVEM is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, AVEM has been the lower-risk option at 8.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVEM or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 28.08% return vs 21.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVEM or EMDM?

AVEM is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVEM or EMDM?

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.95%, compared with 1.94% for AVEM.

What is the main difference between AVEM and EMDM?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVEM and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.45), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.