EMDM vs. OAEM

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and OAEM (OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. EMDM is passively managed, while OAEM is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 27.11%/yr vs 17.64%/yr for OAEM. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMDM charges 0.75%/yr vs 1.25%/yr for OAEM.

Performance

EMDM vs. OAEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMDM achieves a 29.59% return, which is significantly higher than OAEM's 27.35% return.

EMDM

• 1D: -3.88%
• 1M: -4.91%
• 6M: 21.93%
• YTD: 29.59%
• 1Y: 67.41%
• 3Y*: 27.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

OAEM

• 1D: -4.21%
• 1M: -4.31%
• 6M: 20.45%
• YTD: 27.35%
• 1Y: 44.56%
• 3Y*: 17.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EMDM vs. OAEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	29.59%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	27.35%	26.67%	0.43%	7.51%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDM and OAEM is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.85

The correlation between EMDM and OAEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMDM vs. OAEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 89
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 90

OAEM

OAEM Risk / Return Rank: 68
OAEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
OAEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
OAEM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
OAEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
OAEM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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. OAEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM). 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.

	EMDM	OAEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	1.70	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	2.17	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.31	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	3.06	+1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.24	11.34	+4.90

EMDM vs. OAEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is higher than the OAEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDM and OAEM, 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

EMDM vs. OAEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, which is greater than OAEM's maximum drawdown of -17.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and OAEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDM	OAEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-17.05%	-1.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-14.63%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.81%	-17.05%	-1.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.68%	-9.79%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.09%	-3.88%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.16%	3.94%	+0.22%

Volatility

EMDM vs. OAEM - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) have volatilities of 12.11% and 12.68%, 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	OAEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.11%	12.68%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.83%	24.52%	+0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.02%	26.43%	+0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.93%	20.70%	+0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.93%	20.70%	+0.23%

EMDM vs. OAEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than OAEM's 1.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDM vs. OAEM - Dividend Comparison

EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.92%, more than OAEM's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.92%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	0.61%	0.77%	0.91%	1.63%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDM and OAEM in my portfolio?

EMDM and OAEM have a correlation of 0.89, 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 OAEM?

OAEM has higher volatility (12.68%) compared to EMDM (12.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs OAEM's -17.05%.

Which ETF is better, EMDM or OAEM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 27.11% vs 17.64% for OAEM. On fees, EMDM is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 12.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMDM or OAEM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 27.11% return vs 17.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMDM or OAEM?

EMDM is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.25% for OAEM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.92%, compared with 0.61% for OAEM.

What is the main difference between EMDM and OAEM?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Oneascent. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMDM and 1.25% for OAEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.70), 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.