EEIAX vs. FEMDX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EEIAX (Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund) and FEMDX (Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, EEIAX returned 4.94%/yr vs 7.08%/yr for FEMDX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EEIAX charges 1.19%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for FEMDX.

Performance

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund (EEIAX) and Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund (FEMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EEIAX achieves a 4.30% return, which is significantly lower than FEMDX's 8.24% return. Over the past 10 years, EEIAX has underperformed FEMDX with an annualized return of 4.94%, while FEMDX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.08% annualized return.

EEIAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.61%
• YTD: 4.30%
• 6M: 5.00%
• 1Y: 16.81%
• 3Y*: 9.55%
• 5Y*: 4.10%
• 10Y*: 4.94%

FEMDX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 8.24%
• 6M: 8.76%
• 1Y: 19.91%
• 3Y*: 15.26%
• 5Y*: 7.88%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

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

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EEIAX Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund	4.30%	23.43%	-1.23%	13.63%	-11.99%	-7.64%	4.68%	22.66%	-8.38%	16.10%
FEMDX Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund	8.24%	15.69%	11.83%	15.47%	-8.87%	1.58%	3.93%	9.92%	-1.19%	11.68%

Correlation

The correlation between EEIAX and FEMDX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2007	0.63

The correlation between EEIAX and FEMDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (5 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EEIAX vs. FEMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EEIAX

EEIAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
EEIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
EEIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
EEIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
EEIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
EEIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

FEMDX

FEMDX Risk / Return Rank: 98
FEMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
FEMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
FEMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
FEMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
FEMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund (EEIAX) and Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund (FEMDX). 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.

	EEIAX	FEMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	4.60	-2.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	7.83	-4.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	2.12	-0.67
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	5.68	-3.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.18	26.95	-18.76

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EEIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is lower than the FEMDX Sharpe Ratio of 4.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EEIAX and FEMDX, 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

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EEIAX drawdown since its inception was -31.70%, smaller than the maximum FEMDX drawdown of -36.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEIAX and FEMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EEIAX	FEMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.70%	-36.14%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.40%	-3.54%	-3.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.34%	-6.17%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.94%	-19.93%	-6.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.43%	-19.93%	-8.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-0.37%	-1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.90%	-4.74%	-4.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	0.74%	+1.32%

Volatility

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund (EEIAX) has a higher volatility of 2.05% compared to Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund (FEMDX) at 1.06%. This indicates that EEIAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FEMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EEIAX	FEMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	1.06%	+0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.44%	3.78%	+2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.47%	4.38%	+3.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.21%	6.49%	+1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.41%	5.91%	+2.50%

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EEIAX has a 1.19% expense ratio, which is higher than FEMDX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

EEIAX vs. FEMDX - Dividend Comparison

EEIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.94%, more than FEMDX's 5.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEIAX Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Local Income Fund	9.94%	8.48%	11.19%	11.34%	13.39%	11.14%	9.77%	13.03%	10.48%	8.74%	10.80%	11.65%
FEMDX Franklin Emerging Market Debt Opportunities Fund	5.99%	6.49%	4.65%	3.12%	9.31%	0.00%	0.00%	7.29%	8.06%	4.29%	0.69%	6.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EEIAX and FEMDX in my portfolio?

EEIAX and FEMDX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EEIAX or FEMDX?

EEIAX has higher volatility (2.05%) compared to FEMDX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEIAX dropped -31.70% vs FEMDX's -36.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEMDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.60 vs 2.26), 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.