EMD vs. PYELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMD (Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc) and PYELX (Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, EMD returned 6.08%/yr vs 2.96%/yr for PYELX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMD charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for PYELX.

Performance

EMD vs. PYELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) and Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund (PYELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMD achieves a 2.48% return, which is significantly higher than PYELX's 1.20% return. Over the past 10 years, EMD has outperformed PYELX with an annualized return of 6.08%, while PYELX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.96% annualized return.

EMD

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -3.17%
• YTD: 2.48%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 19.89%
• 3Y*: 19.50%
• 5Y*: 4.43%
• 10Y*: 6.08%

PYELX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.50%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 2.01%
• 1Y: 11.47%
• 3Y*: 7.70%
• 5Y*: 1.97%
• 10Y*: 2.96%

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

EMD vs. PYELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	2.48%	23.41%	16.23%	12.23%	-20.78%	-0.32%	7.03%	26.62%	-13.70%	14.29%
PYELX Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund	1.20%	19.79%	-3.48%	13.16%	-11.28%	-7.83%	1.79%	13.92%	-8.16%	15.38%

Correlation

The correlation between EMD and PYELX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2012	0.37

Return for Risk

EMD vs. PYELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMD

EMD Risk / Return Rank: 26
EMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
EMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
EMD Omega Ratio Rank: 29
EMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
EMD Martin Ratio Rank: 25

PYELX

PYELX Risk / Return Rank: 30
PYELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
PYELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
PYELX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
PYELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
PYELX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

EMD vs. PYELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) and Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund (PYELX). 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.

	EMD	PYELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.74	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.50	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.50	1.56	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.12	5.28	+0.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMD vs. PYELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMD Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the PYELX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMD and PYELX, 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

	EMD	PYELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.74	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.04	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33	0.08	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.04	+0.32

Drawdowns

EMD vs. PYELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMD drawdown since its inception was -48.26%, smaller than the maximum PYELX drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMD and PYELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMD	PYELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.26%	-56.98%	+8.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-7.22%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.33%	-50.49%	+37.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.43%	-51.98%	+11.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.44%	-52.62%	+6.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.43%	-2.59%	-1.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-16.80%	+8.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	2.13%	+1.13%

Volatility

EMD vs. PYELX - Volatility Comparison

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) has a higher volatility of 4.37% compared to Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund (PYELX) at 2.13%. This indicates that EMD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PYELX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMD	PYELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	2.13%	+2.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.52%	5.60%	+4.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.49%	6.52%	+5.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	50.60%	-34.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.37%	36.37%	-18.00%

EMD vs. PYELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMD has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than PYELX's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EMD vs. PYELX - Dividend Comparison

EMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.94%, more than PYELX's 7.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	10.94%	10.44%	10.57%	9.97%	11.09%	8.44%	8.45%	8.41%	9.76%	7.78%	9.99%	9.54%
PYELX Payden Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund	7.19%	7.32%	7.08%	5.38%	5.93%	5.36%	4.69%	5.46%	6.67%	6.15%	5.44%	5.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMD and PYELX in my portfolio?

EMD and PYELX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMD or PYELX?

EMD has higher volatility (4.37%) compared to PYELX (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMD dropped -48.26% vs PYELX's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs 1.60), 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.