AVSE vs. EMDM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AVSE (Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - AVSE tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, AVSE returned 25.55%/yr vs 32.95%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVSE charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

AVSE vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) 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, AVSE achieves a 26.92% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 39.03% return.

AVSE

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 9.75%
• YTD: 26.92%
• 6M: 28.98%
• 1Y: 52.22%
• 3Y*: 25.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMDM

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 11.04%
• YTD: 39.03%
• 6M: 45.21%
• 1Y: 91.32%
• 3Y*: 32.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AVSE vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.92%	32.54%	8.29%	9.90%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	39.03%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between AVSE and EMDM is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.89

The correlation between AVSE and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVSE vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVSE	EMDM
Technology	34.8%	32.1%
Financial Services	24.2%	27.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	6.0%
Industrials	8.2%	3.3%
Communication Services	6.5%	4.3%
Healthcare	3.9%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	15.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	3.4%
Real Estate	2.6%	-
Utilities	1.3%	1.9%
Energy	0.1%	6.3%

Return for Risk

AVSE vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AVSE

AVSE Risk / Return Rank: 78
AVSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AVSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
AVSE Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AVSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
AVSE Martin Ratio Rank: 77

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 93
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVSE vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) 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.

	AVSE	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	3.92	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	4.56	-1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.66	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	5.87	-2.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.74	24.30	-9.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AVSE vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVSE Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 3.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVSE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AVSE	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	3.92	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	1.58	-0.72

Drawdowns

AVSE vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVSE drawdown since its inception was -26.28%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVSE and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVSE	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.28%	-18.81%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.17%	-15.65%	+1.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.68%	-18.81%	+1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-1.32%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.82%	-4.07%	-2.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.55%	3.77%	-0.22%

Volatility

AVSE vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVSE) is 8.65%, while First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a volatility of 9.61%. This indicates that AVSE 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

	AVSE	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.65%	9.61%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.79%	20.78%	-3.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.53%	23.42%	-3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.03%	19.79%	-1.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	19.79%	-1.76%

AVSE vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

AVSE vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

AVSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than EMDM's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
AVSE Avantis Responsible Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.18%	2.68%	3.03%	3.20%	1.27%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.57%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVSE and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, AVSE 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, AVSE or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.61%) compared to AVSE (8.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVSE dropped -26.28% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, AVSE or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 32.95% vs 25.55% for AVSE. On fees, AVSE is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, AVSE has been the lower-risk option at 8.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVSE or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 32.95% return vs 25.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVSE or EMDM?

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

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 2.18% for AVSE.

What is the main difference between AVSE and EMDM?

AVSE tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Avantis and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVSE and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 2.69), 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.