EMDM vs. MEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and MEMX (Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. EMDM is passively managed, while MEMX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 32.95%/yr vs 26.95%/yr for MEMX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMDM charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for MEMX.

Performance

EMDM vs. MEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMDM achieves a 39.03% return, which is significantly higher than MEMX's 33.07% return.

EMDM

• 1D: -1.32%
• 1M: 11.04%
• YTD: 39.03%
• 6M: 45.21%
• 1Y: 91.32%
• 3Y*: 32.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MEMX

• 1D: -0.97%
• 1M: 10.92%
• YTD: 33.07%
• 6M: 42.31%
• 1Y: 70.49%
• 3Y*: 26.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EMDM vs. MEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	39.03%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.21%
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF	33.07%	35.88%	5.50%	10.06%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDM and MEMX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.90

The correlation between EMDM and MEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMDM vs. MEMX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMDM	MEMX
Technology	32.1%	39.5%
Financial Services	27.2%	25.1%
Basic Materials	15.1%	2.6%
Energy	6.3%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	7.8%
Communication Services	4.3%	3.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.1%
Industrials	3.3%	9.6%
Utilities	1.9%	1.1%
Healthcare	0.5%	4.5%
Real Estate	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

EMDM vs. MEMX — 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: 92
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

MEMX

MEMX Risk / Return Rank: 89
MEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
MEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
MEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
MEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
MEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. MEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX). 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	MEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.92	3.29	+0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.56	4.11	+0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.58	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.87	4.82	+1.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	24.30	19.20	+5.10
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. MEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDM Sharpe Ratio is 3.92, which is comparable to the MEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDM and MEMX, 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	MEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92	3.29	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	1.45	+0.13

Drawdowns

EMDM vs. MEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, roughly equal to the maximum MEMX drawdown of -19.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and MEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDM	MEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-19.27%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-14.70%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.81%	-19.27%	+0.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-0.97%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-3.49%	-0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	3.68%	+0.09%

Volatility

EMDM vs. MEMX - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX) have volatilities of 9.61% and 9.43%, 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

	EMDM	MEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.61%	9.43%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.78%	19.04%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.42%	21.53%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.79%	17.09%	+2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.79%	17.09%	+2.70%

EMDM vs. MEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than MEMX's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDM vs. MEMX - Dividend Comparison

EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, less than MEMX's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.57%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF	3.67%	4.88%	0.99%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDM and MEMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, EMDM and MEMX 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, EMDM or MEMX?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.61%) compared to MEMX (9.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs MEMX's -19.27%.

Which ETF is better, EMDM or MEMX?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 32.95% vs 26.95% for MEMX. On fees, EMDM is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, MEMX has been the lower-risk option at 9.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMDM or MEMX?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 32.95% return vs 26.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMDM or MEMX?

EMDM is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MEMX.

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

MEMX has the higher dividend yield at 3.67%, compared with 2.57% for EMDM.

What is the main difference between EMDM and MEMX?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Matthews. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMDM and 0.79% for MEMX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 3.29), 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.