AVK vs. EMD

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AVK (Advent Convertible and Income Fund) and EMD (Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc) are both mutual funds - AVK is a Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Guggenheim, while EMD is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, AVK returned 10.05%/yr vs 5.46%/yr for EMD. Their 0.40 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. AVK charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for EMD.

Performance

AVK vs. EMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Advent Convertible and Income Fund (AVK) and Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVK achieves a 5.36% return, which is significantly higher than EMD's 4.84% return. Over the past 10 years, AVK has outperformed EMD with an annualized return of 10.05%, while EMD has yielded a comparatively lower 5.46% annualized return.

AVK

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: -3.45%
• 6M: 3.25%
• YTD: 5.36%
• 1Y: 13.71%
• 3Y*: 14.79%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 6.90%

EMD

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -2.00%
• 6M: 1.55%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 1Y: 14.88%
• 3Y*: 18.16%
• 5Y*: 4.86%
• 10Y*: 5.46%
• ALL TIME*: 6.63%

*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)
AVK Advent Convertible and Income Fund	$1.84M	$1.78M	$1.84M
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	$1.76M	$1.98M	$1.97M

AVK vs. EMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVK Advent Convertible and Income Fund	5.36%	19.66%	19.42%	18.16%	-34.45%	30.18%	17.62%	36.54%	-13.36%	17.28%
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	4.84%	23.41%	16.23%	12.23%	-20.78%	-0.32%	7.03%	26.62%	-13.70%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between AVK and EMD is 0.41, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2003	0.40

Return for Risk

AVK vs. EMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVK

AVK Risk / Return Rank: 23
AVK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
AVK Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
AVK Omega Ratio Rank: 23
AVK Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
AVK Martin Ratio Rank: 27

EMD

EMD Risk / Return Rank: 34
EMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
EMD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
EMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
EMD Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

AVK vs. EMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Advent Convertible and Income Fund (AVK) and Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD). 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.

	AVK	EMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.21	-0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	1.74	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.21	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	1.16	-0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.02	4.54	-0.52

AVK vs. EMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVK Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the EMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVK and EMD, 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

AVK vs. EMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVK drawdown since its inception was -67.49%, which is greater than EMD's maximum drawdown of -48.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVK and EMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVK	EMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.49%	-48.26%	-19.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.25%	-13.33%	-0.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.70%	-13.33%	-6.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.50%	-40.43%	+1.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.82%	-46.44%	-3.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.63%	-2.23%	-2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.64%	-8.75%	-2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	3.39%	-0.27%

Volatility

AVK vs. EMD - Volatility Comparison

Advent Convertible and Income Fund (AVK) has a higher volatility of 5.06% compared to Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) at 3.00%. This indicates that AVK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVK	EMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	3.00%	+2.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.21%	10.39%	+2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	12.74%	+2.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.75%	16.24%	+3.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.65%	18.37%	+4.28%

AVK vs. EMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVK has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than EMD's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVK vs. EMD - Dividend Comparison

AVK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.36%, more than EMD's 10.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVK Advent Convertible and Income Fund	11.36%	11.22%	11.71%	12.36%	12.90%	15.13%	8.51%	9.04%	11.21%	8.10%	7.68%	8.33%
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	10.89%	10.44%	10.57%	9.97%	11.09%	8.44%	8.45%	8.41%	9.76%	7.78%	9.99%	9.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVK and EMD in my portfolio?

AVK and EMD have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVK or EMD?

AVK has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to EMD (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVK dropped -67.49% vs EMD's -48.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 0.83), 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.