EDOG vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EDOG (ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EDOG tracks the S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EDOG returned 10.16%/yr vs 28.08%/yr for EMDM. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EDOG charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EDOG vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) 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, EDOG achieves a 5.43% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 28.39% return.

EDOG

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 4.60%
• 6M: -1.86%
• YTD: 5.43%
• 1Y: 17.86%
• 3Y*: 10.16%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 5.60%
• ALL TIME*: 4.44%

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)
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	$66.37K	$47.05K	$56.13K
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$370.33K	$752.09K	$541.22K

EDOG vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	5.43%	22.59%	1.70%	7.00%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	28.39%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EDOG and EMDM is 0.65, 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.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.76

The correlation between EDOG and EMDM shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.76 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EDOG vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EDOG	EMDM
Energy	13.5%	4.8%
Industrials	11.6%	2.6%
Healthcare	10.8%	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	10.3%	3.1%
Communication Services	9.8%	4.0%
Technology	9.8%	39.9%
Basic Materials	9.7%	12.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	5.3%
Utilities	8.1%	1.5%
Financial Services	8.0%	25.6%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

EDOG vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EDOG

EDOG Risk / Return Rank: 42
EDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
EDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
EDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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.

EDOG vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) 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.

	EDOG	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	2.41	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	2.94	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.42	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.67	4.28	-2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.64	13.58	-9.94

EDOG vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EDOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EDOG 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

EDOG vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EDOG drawdown since its inception was -44.29%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EDOG and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EDOG	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.29%	-18.81%	-25.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.73%	-15.65%	+4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.29%	-18.81%	+3.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.54%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.17%	-10.51%	+4.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.18%	-4.21%	-6.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.91%	4.93%	-0.02%

Volatility

EDOG vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (EDOG) is 3.19%, while First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a volatility of 9.92%. This indicates that EDOG 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

	EDOG	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.19%	9.92%	-6.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.03%	25.36%	-11.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.03%	27.91%	-11.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.40%	21.15%	-5.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.36%	21.15%	-3.79%

EDOG vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EDOG has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EDOG vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.88%, more than EMDM's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EDOG ALPS Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	4.88%	4.50%	6.55%	6.53%	5.07%	4.11%	2.60%	4.93%	5.37%	2.89%	2.97%	4.55%
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 EDOG and EMDM in my portfolio?

EDOG and EMDM have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EDOG or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.92%) compared to EDOG (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EDOG dropped -44.29% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, EDOG or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 28.08% vs 10.16% for EDOG. On fees, EDOG is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, EDOG has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EDOG or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 28.08% return vs 10.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EDOG or EMDM?

EDOG is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EDOG has the higher dividend yield at 4.88%, compared with 2.95% for EMDM.

What is the main difference between EDOG and EMDM?

EDOG tracks S-Network Emerging Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for EDOG and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.12), 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.