EDIV vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EDIV (SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EDIV tracks the S&P Emerging Markets Dividend Opportunities Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EDIV returned 16.55%/yr vs 28.08%/yr for EMDM. Their 0.73 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EDIV charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EDIV vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (EDIV) 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, EDIV achieves a 8.38% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 28.39% return.

EDIV

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 0.90%
• 6M: 2.64%
• YTD: 8.38%
• 1Y: 14.16%
• 3Y*: 16.55%
• 5Y*: 12.01%
• 10Y*: 7.99%
• ALL TIME*: 3.16%

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)
EDIV SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	$4.69M	$5.05M	$5.54M
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$370.33K	$752.09K	$541.22K

EDIV vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EDIV SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	8.38%	16.45%	12.75%	34.14%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	28.39%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EDIV and EMDM is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.73

The correlation between EDIV and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

EDIV vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EDIV	EMDM
Financial Services	17.3%	25.6%
Consumer Defensive	9.3%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	5.3%
Technology	6.4%	39.9%
Industrials	6.2%	2.6%
Communication Services	5.1%	4.0%
Energy	4.0%	4.8%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Utilities	1.8%	1.5%
Basic Materials	0.8%	12.7%
Healthcare	0.6%	0.5%

Return for Risk

EDIV vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EDIV

EDIV Risk / Return Rank: 41
EDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
EDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
EDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 43
EDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
EDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

EDIV vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (EDIV) 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.

	EDIV	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.10	2.41	-1.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	2.94	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.42	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	4.28	-2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.01	13.58	-9.57

EDIV vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.10, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDIV 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

EDIV vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDIV drawdown since its inception was -53.36%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDIV and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EDIV	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.36%	-18.81%	-34.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-15.65%	+5.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-18.81%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.32%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.30%	-10.51%	+8.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.18%	-4.21%	-14.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	4.93%	-1.39%

Volatility

EDIV vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (EDIV) is 4.12%, while First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a volatility of 9.92%. This indicates that EDIV 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

	EDIV	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	9.92%	-5.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.07%	25.36%	-14.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	27.91%	-14.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.96%	21.15%	-7.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.31%	21.15%	-3.84%

EDIV vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

EDIV vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than EMDM's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EDIV SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	4.19%	4.69%	3.94%	4.26%	4.94%	3.84%	3.52%	3.83%	3.41%	2.99%	4.94%	5.33%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.95%	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 EDIV and EMDM in my portfolio?

EDIV and EMDM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EDIV or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.92%) compared to EDIV (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDIV dropped -53.36% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, EDIV or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 28.08% vs 16.55% for EDIV. On fees, EDIV is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EDIV has been the lower-risk option at 4.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EDIV or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 28.08% return vs 16.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EDIV or EMDM?

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

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

EDIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 2.95% for EMDM.

What is the main difference between EDIV and EMDM?

EDIV tracks S&P Emerging Markets Dividend Opportunities Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EDIV and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.10), 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.