EMDM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 33.55%/yr vs 22.64%/yr for SPY. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMDM charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

EMDM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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 SPY's 11.69% return.

EMDM

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

SPY

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.40%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.62%
• 3Y*: 22.64%
• 5Y*: 14.20%
• 10Y*: 15.57%

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

EMDM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	40.89%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.21%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.72%	24.89%	19.38%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDM and SPY is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2023	0.68

The correlation between EMDM and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMDM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMDM	SPY
Technology	32.1%	35.9%
Financial Services	27.2%	11.8%
Basic Materials	15.1%	1.8%
Energy	6.3%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	10.3%
Communication Services	4.3%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	4.8%
Industrials	3.3%	7.8%
Utilities	1.9%	2.4%
Healthcare	0.5%	8.4%
Real Estate	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

EMDM vs. SPY — 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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 75
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.02	2.52	+1.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.65	3.42	+1.23
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.46	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.08	3.42	+2.67
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	25.25	15.93	+9.33
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDM Sharpe Ratio is 4.02, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDM and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.02	2.52	+1.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.61	0.59	+1.02

Drawdowns

EMDM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-55.19%	+36.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-8.88%	-6.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.81%	-18.76%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-9.05%	+4.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	1.91%	+1.86%

Volatility

EMDM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a higher volatility of 9.47% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.75%. This indicates that EMDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMDM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.47%	2.75%	+6.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.73%	8.89%	+11.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.38%	11.81%	+11.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.78%	17.05%	+2.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	17.94%	+1.84%

EMDM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, more than SPY's 0.97% 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.97%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDM and SPY in my portfolio?

EMDM and SPY have a correlation of 0.70, 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 SPY?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.47%) compared to SPY (2.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, EMDM or SPY?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 33.55% vs 22.64% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMDM or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 33.55% return vs 22.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMDM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.53%, compared with 0.97% for SPY.

What is the main difference between EMDM and SPY?

EMDM is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SPY is S&P 500. EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMDM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.02 vs 2.52), 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.