EMCS vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EMCS (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EMCS tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMCS returned 22.52%/yr vs 26.67%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EMCS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EMCS vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) 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, EMCS achieves a 24.35% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 27.86% return.

EMCS

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.73%
• 6M: 14.38%
• YTD: 24.35%
• 1Y: 45.63%
• 3Y*: 22.52%
• 5Y*: 8.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.33%

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)
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	$164.87K	$2.68M	$967.26K
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$660.85K	$757.43K	$571.79K

EMCS vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	24.35%	38.71%	10.12%	1.36%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	27.86%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EMCS and EMDM is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.88

The correlation between EMCS and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMCS vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMCS	EMDM
Technology	51.4%	39.9%
Financial Services	27.3%	25.6%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	5.3%
Communication Services	7.5%	4.0%
Basic Materials	2.3%	12.7%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Industrials	1.2%	2.6%
Energy	1.1%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	3.1%
Healthcare	0.0%	0.5%
Utilities	0.0%	1.5%

Return for Risk

EMCS vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMCS

EMCS Risk / Return Rank: 73
EMCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
EMCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
EMCS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
EMCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
EMCS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

EMCS vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	EMCS	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.38	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	2.91	-0.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.41	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	4.23	-1.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.14	13.54	-4.40

EMCS vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMCS Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMCS 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

EMCS vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMCS drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMCS and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMCS	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-18.81%	-26.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.25%	-15.65%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.73%	-18.81%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.17%	-10.88%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.41%	-4.20%	-12.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.87%	4.88%	-0.01%

Volatility

EMCS vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 10.10% 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

	EMCS	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.10%	9.95%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.90%	25.55%	-0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.26%	27.87%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.68%	21.16%	+0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.23%	21.16%	+1.07%

EMCS vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMCS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMCS vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EMCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.53%, less than EMDM's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	1.53%	1.66%	0.67%	3.07%	2.26%	1.46%	1.40%	3.56%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.96%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMCS and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EMCS 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, EMCS or EMDM?

EMCS has higher volatility (10.10%) compared to EMDM (9.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMCS dropped -44.86% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, EMCS or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 26.67% vs 22.52% for EMCS. On fees, EMCS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 9.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMCS or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 26.67% return vs 22.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMCS or EMDM?

EMCS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 1.53% for EMCS.

What is the main difference between EMCS and EMDM?

EMCS tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EMCS and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.64), 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.