EFFE vs. EMDM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EFFE (Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. EFFE is actively managed, while EMDM is passively managed. Over the past year, EFFE returned 30.19% vs 81.79% for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EFFE charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EFFE vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) 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, EFFE achieves a 17.73% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 35.53% return.

EFFE

• 1D: -5.58%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 17.73%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 30.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMDM

• 1D: -5.54%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 35.53%
• 6M: 38.16%
• 1Y: 81.79%
• 3Y*: 30.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EFFE vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EFFE Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF	17.73%	22.42%	-0.84%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	35.53%	59.68%	-0.91%

Correlation

The correlation between EFFE and EMDM is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2024	0.82

The correlation between EFFE and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EFFE vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFFE

EFFE Risk / Return Rank: 45
EFFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
EFFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
EFFE Omega Ratio Rank: 44
EFFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
EFFE Martin Ratio Rank: 51

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 90
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

EFFE vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) 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.

	EFFE	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	3.15	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	3.65	-1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.54	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	5.25	-3.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.90	20.82	-12.92

EFFE vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFFE Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 3.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFFE 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

EFFE vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFFE drawdown since its inception was -13.75%, smaller than the maximum EMDM drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFFE and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFFE	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.75%	-18.81%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.75%	-15.65%	+1.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.05%	-5.54%	-3.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-4.06%	+1.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	3.94%	-0.11%

Volatility

EFFE vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 12.74% and 13.23%, 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

	EFFE	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.74%	13.23%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.67%	23.83%	-3.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.67%	26.11%	-3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	20.67%	+0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.46%	20.67%	+0.79%

EFFE vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFFE has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFFE vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EFFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than EMDM's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EFFE Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF	3.99%	4.69%	0.00%	0.00%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.63%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFFE and EMDM in my portfolio?

EFFE and EMDM have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFFE or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (13.23%) compared to EFFE (12.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFFE dropped -13.75% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, EFFE or EMDM?

On 1-year performance, EMDM leads with 81.79% vs 30.19% for EFFE. On fees, EFFE is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, EFFE has been the lower-risk option at 12.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFFE or EMDM?

Over the 1-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 81.79% return vs 30.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFFE or EMDM?

EFFE is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EFFE has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 2.63% for EMDM.

What is the main difference between EFFE and EMDM?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for EFFE and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 1.34), 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.