ECON vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

ECON (Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ECON tracks the Dow Jones Emerging Markets Consumer Titans Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ECON returned 17.39%/yr vs 26.67%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ECON charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

ECON vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) 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, ECON achieves a 22.39% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 27.86% return.

ECON

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -3.33%
• 6M: 12.59%
• YTD: 22.39%
• 1Y: 41.96%
• 3Y*: 17.39%
• 5Y*: 7.12%
• 10Y*: 4.44%
• ALL TIME*: 4.32%

EMDM

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -3.52%
• 6M: 13.18%
• YTD: 27.86%
• 1Y: 66.00%
• 3Y*: 26.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.46%

*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)
ECON Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF	$293.78K	$337.49K	$633.44K
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$660.85K	$757.43K	$571.79K

ECON vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ECON Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF	22.39%	34.15%	0.22%	4.59%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	27.86%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between ECON and EMDM is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.84

The correlation between ECON and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

ECON vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ECON	EMDM
Technology	43.6%	39.9%
Financial Services	21.9%	25.6%
Industrials	6.4%	2.6%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	5.3%
Communication Services	5.3%	4.0%
Basic Materials	5.0%	12.7%
Energy	3.2%	4.8%
Healthcare	3.0%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	3.1%
Utilities	1.9%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.0%	-

Return for Risk

ECON vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ECON

ECON Risk / Return Rank: 70
ECON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ECON Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ECON Omega Ratio Rank: 72
ECON Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ECON Martin Ratio Rank: 67

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 90
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

ECON vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) 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.

	ECON	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.38	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.91	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.41	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	4.23	-1.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.12	13.54	-5.42

ECON vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ECON Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ECON 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

ECON vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ECON drawdown since its inception was -45.37%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ECON and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ECON	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.37%	-18.81%	-26.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.13%	-15.65%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.37%	-18.81%	+2.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.93%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.91%	-10.88%	-1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.55%	-4.20%	-12.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.04%	4.88%	+0.16%

Volatility

ECON vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF (ECON) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 10.05% and 9.95%, 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

	ECON	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.05%	9.95%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.43%	25.55%	-2.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.54%	27.87%	-2.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.16%	21.16%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.33%	21.16%	+0.17%

ECON vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ECON has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ECON vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

ECON's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, less than EMDM's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECON Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF	1.45%	1.77%	0.76%	1.57%	2.06%	1.08%	0.63%	1.68%	0.98%	0.35%	0.74%	1.10%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.96%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ECON and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, ECON 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, ECON or EMDM?

ECON has higher volatility (10.05%) compared to EMDM (9.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ECON dropped -45.37% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, ECON or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 26.67% vs 17.39% for ECON. On fees, ECON is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 9.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ECON or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 26.67% return vs 17.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ECON or EMDM?

ECON is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 1.45% for ECON.

What is the main difference between ECON and EMDM?

ECON tracks Dow Jones Emerging Markets Consumer Titans Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for ECON and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.61), 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.