EMCS vs. AGEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMCS (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF) and AGEM (abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. EMCS is passively managed, while AGEM is actively managed. Over the past year, EMCS returned 67.22% vs 66.10% for AGEM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMCS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for AGEM.

Performance

EMCS vs. AGEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMCS achieves a 35.45% return, which is significantly higher than AGEM's 33.49% return.

EMCS

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: 14.49%
• YTD: 35.45%
• 6M: 39.15%
• 1Y: 67.22%
• 3Y*: 28.16%
• 5Y*: 8.46%
• 10Y*: —

AGEM

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 11.23%
• YTD: 33.49%
• 6M: 35.89%
• 1Y: 66.10%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EMCS vs. AGEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	35.45%	26.76%
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	33.49%	29.81%

Correlation

The correlation between EMCS and AGEM is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2025	0.92

The correlation between EMCS and AGEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMCS vs. AGEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMCS

EMCS Risk / Return Rank: 86
EMCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
EMCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
EMCS Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EMCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
EMCS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AGEM

AGEM Risk / Return Rank: 88
AGEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
AGEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
AGEM Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AGEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
AGEM Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

EMCS vs. AGEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM). 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.

	EMCS	AGEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	3.31	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	4.14	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.59	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.78	4.83	-0.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.54	18.92	-0.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMCS vs. AGEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMCS Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is comparable to the AGEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMCS and AGEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMCS	AGEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.03	3.31	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	2.50	-1.95

Drawdowns

EMCS vs. AGEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMCS drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than AGEM's maximum drawdown of -15.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMCS and AGEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMCS	AGEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-15.58%	-29.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.32%	-13.92%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.62%	-2.23%	-14.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	3.56%	+0.13%

Volatility

EMCS vs. AGEM - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) has a higher volatility of 9.71% compared to abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) at 8.94%. This indicates that EMCS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AGEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMCS	AGEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.71%	8.94%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.36%	17.59%	+1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.33%	20.09%	+2.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.63%	21.50%	-0.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.65%	21.50%	+0.15%

EMCS vs. AGEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMCS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than AGEM's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMCS vs. AGEM - Dividend Comparison

EMCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, less than AGEM's 1.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	1.69%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	1.23%	1.66%	0.67%	3.07%	2.26%	1.46%	1.40%	3.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMCS and AGEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, EMCS and AGEM 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, EMCS or AGEM?

EMCS has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to AGEM (8.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMCS dropped -44.86% vs AGEM's -15.58%.

Which ETF is better, EMCS or AGEM?

On 1-year performance, EMCS leads with 67.22% vs 66.10% for AGEM. On fees, EMCS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, AGEM has been the lower-risk option at 8.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMCS or AGEM?

Over the 1-year period, EMCS has performed better with a 67.22% return vs 66.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMCS or AGEM?

EMCS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for AGEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMCS or AGEM?

AGEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.69%, compared with 1.23% for EMCS.

What is the main difference between EMCS and AGEM?

They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EMCS and 0.70% for AGEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AGEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.31 vs 3.03), 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.