EEMX vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EEMX (SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EEMX tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets ex Fossil Fuels Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EEMX returned 19.41%/yr vs 26.67%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EEMX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EEMX vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EEMX) 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, EEMX achieves a 18.71% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 27.86% return.

EEMX

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -2.50%
• 6M: 9.90%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 1Y: 37.30%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: 7.90%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.29%

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)
EEMX SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF	$114.77K	$173.22K	$297.15K
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$660.85K	$757.43K	$571.79K

EEMX vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EEMX SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF	18.71%	35.23%	7.22%	5.42%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	27.86%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EEMX and EMDM is 0.93, 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.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.89

The correlation between EEMX and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

EEMX vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EEMX	EMDM
Technology	47.1%	39.9%
Financial Services	19.2%	25.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	5.3%
Communication Services	6.3%	4.0%
Industrials	6.3%	2.6%
Basic Materials	5.3%	12.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	3.1%
Healthcare	2.6%	0.5%
Utilities	1.3%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.0%	-
Energy	0.4%	4.8%

Return for Risk

EEMX vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EEMX

EEMX Risk / Return Rank: 64
EEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
EEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
EEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
EEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
EEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

EEMX vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EEMX) 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.

	EEMX	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	2.38	-0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.91	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.41	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	4.23	-1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.80	13.54	-5.74

EEMX vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EEMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EEMX 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

EEMX vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EEMX drawdown since its inception was -39.90%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEMX and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EEMX	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.90%	-18.81%	-21.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.47%	-15.65%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.64%	-18.81%	+1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.31%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.21%	-10.88%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.60%	-4.20%	-10.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.65%	4.88%	-0.23%

Volatility

EEMX vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EEMX) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 9.58% 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

	EEMX	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.58%	9.95%	-0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.32%	25.55%	-2.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.34%	27.87%	-2.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.14%	21.16%	-1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.76%	21.16%	-0.40%

EEMX vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EEMX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EEMX vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, less than EMDM's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EEMX SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Fossil Fuel Free ETF	1.90%	2.28%	2.26%	2.20%	2.38%	1.72%	1.42%	2.57%	2.41%	2.45%	0.15%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EEMX and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, EEMX 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, EEMX or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.95%) compared to EEMX (9.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEMX dropped -39.90% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, EEMX or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 26.67% vs 19.41% for EEMX. On fees, EEMX is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, EEMX has been the lower-risk option at 9.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EEMX or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 26.67% return vs 19.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EEMX or EMDM?

EEMX is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 1.90% for EEMX.

What is the main difference between EEMX and EMDM?

EEMX tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex Fossil Fuels 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: 0.30% for EEMX and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.43), 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.