AVXC vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

AVXC (Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. AVXC is actively managed, while EMDM is passively managed. Over the past year, AVXC returned 43.04% vs 66.69% for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AVXC charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

AVXC vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) 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, AVXC achieves a 23.53% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 28.39% return.

AVXC

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -3.87%
• 6M: 12.86%
• YTD: 23.53%
• 1Y: 43.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 22.06%

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)
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	$2.49M	$2.46M	$3.42M
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$370.33K	$752.09K	$541.22K

AVXC vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	23.53%	31.45%	-1.26%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	28.39%	59.68%	-4.68%

Correlation

The correlation between AVXC and EMDM is 0.94, 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.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2024	0.93

The correlation between AVXC and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVXC vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVXC	EMDM
Technology	32.8%	39.9%
Financial Services	20.6%	25.6%
Industrials	9.0%	2.6%
Basic Materials	7.2%	12.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	5.3%
Energy	3.8%	4.8%
Communication Services	3.5%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	3.1%
Utilities	2.6%	1.5%
Healthcare	2.1%	0.5%
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

AVXC vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVXC

AVXC Risk / Return Rank: 72
AVXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
AVXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
AVXC Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AVXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
AVXC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

AVXC vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	AVXC	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.41	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	2.94	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	4.28	-1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	13.58	-4.60

AVXC vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVXC Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVXC 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

AVXC vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVXC drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVXC and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVXC	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.44%	-18.81%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.43%	-15.65%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.40%	-10.51%	-0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.03%	-4.21%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	4.93%	-0.13%

Volatility

AVXC vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 9.94% and 9.92%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVXC	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.94%	9.92%	+0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.40%	25.36%	-1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.16%	27.91%	-2.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.61%	21.15%	-0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.61%	21.15%	-0.54%

AVXC vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

AVXC vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

AVXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than EMDM's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	1.71%	1.97%	1.34%	0.00%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.95%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVXC and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, AVXC 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, AVXC or EMDM?

AVXC has higher volatility (9.94%) compared to EMDM (9.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVXC dropped -20.44% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, AVXC or EMDM?

On 1-year performance, EMDM leads with 66.69% vs 43.04% for AVXC. On fees, AVXC is cheaper at 0.33% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVXC or EMDM?

Over the 1-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 66.69% return vs 43.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVXC or EMDM?

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

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.95%, compared with 1.71% for AVXC.

What is the main difference between AVXC and EMDM?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.72), 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.