EMDM vs. FDT

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and FDT (First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - EMDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FDT is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 33.55%/yr vs 30.36%/yr for FDT. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMDM charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FDT.

Performance

EMDM vs. FDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMDM achieves a 40.89% return, which is significantly higher than FDT's 26.31% return.

EMDM

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 12.12%
• YTD: 40.89%
• 6M: 47.96%
• 1Y: 93.35%
• 3Y*: 33.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FDT

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: 5.42%
• YTD: 26.31%
• 6M: 30.28%
• 1Y: 55.30%
• 3Y*: 30.36%
• 5Y*: 12.97%
• 10Y*: 10.98%

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

EMDM vs. FDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	40.89%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.21%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	26.31%	52.21%	6.97%	5.89%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDM and FDT is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.78

The correlation between EMDM and FDT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMDM vs. FDT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMDM	FDT
Technology	32.1%	8.1%
Financial Services	27.2%	10.2%
Basic Materials	15.1%	9.6%
Energy	6.3%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	11.5%
Communication Services	4.3%	2.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.8%
Industrials	3.3%	34.0%
Utilities	1.9%	5.2%
Healthcare	0.5%	1.4%
Real Estate	-	5.3%

Return for Risk

EMDM vs. FDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 93
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 94
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

FDT

FDT Risk / Return Rank: 85
FDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FDT Omega Ratio Rank: 87
FDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FDT Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

EMDM vs. FDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT). 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.

	EMDM	FDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.02	3.02	+1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	3.86	+0.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.54	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.08	4.36	+1.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.25	17.08	+8.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMDM vs. FDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDM Sharpe Ratio is 4.02, which is higher than the FDT Sharpe Ratio of 3.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDM and FDT, 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

	EMDM	FDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02	3.02	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.71	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.61	0.40	+1.21

Drawdowns

EMDM vs. FDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum FDT drawdown of -46.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and FDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDM	FDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-46.10%	+27.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-13.41%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.81%	-14.29%	-4.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.96%	+0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-10.78%	+6.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	3.42%	+0.35%

Volatility

EMDM vs. FDT - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a higher volatility of 9.47% compared to First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) at 7.21%. This indicates that EMDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMDM	FDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.47%	7.21%	+2.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.73%	15.92%	+4.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.38%	18.50%	+4.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.78%	18.24%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	18.53%	+1.25%

EMDM vs. FDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than FDT's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDM vs. FDT - Dividend Comparison

EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, less than FDT's 2.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.53%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FDT First Trust Developed Markets ex-US AlphaDEX Fund	2.82%	3.27%	3.89%	4.36%	2.29%	3.80%	2.42%	2.78%	2.13%	1.57%	1.76%	1.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDM and FDT in my portfolio?

EMDM and FDT have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMDM or FDT?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to FDT (7.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs FDT's -46.10%.

Which ETF is better, EMDM or FDT?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 33.55% vs 30.36% for FDT. On fees, EMDM is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, FDT has been the lower-risk option at 7.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMDM or FDT?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 33.55% return vs 30.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMDM or FDT?

EMDM is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FDT.

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

FDT has the higher dividend yield at 2.82%, compared with 2.53% for EMDM.

What is the main difference between EMDM and FDT?

EMDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while FDT is Foreign Large Cap Equities. EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while FDT tracks NASDAQ AlphaDEX DM Ex-US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMDM and 0.80% for FDT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 3.02), 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.