EMDM vs. STXE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EMDM returned 32.95%/yr vs 29.77%/yr for STXE. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMDM charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.

Performance

EMDM vs. STXE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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 lower than STXE's 47.29% return.

EMDM

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

STXE

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 15.10%
• YTD: 47.29%
• 6M: 52.92%
• 1Y: 84.40%
• 3Y*: 29.77%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EMDM vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	39.03%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.21%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	47.29%	34.23%	2.09%	13.65%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDM and STXE is 0.92, 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	0.92
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	0.89

The correlation between EMDM and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMDM vs. STXE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMDM	STXE
Technology	32.1%	47.7%
Financial Services	27.2%	22.5%
Basic Materials	15.1%	7.1%
Energy	6.3%	3.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	4.0%
Communication Services	4.3%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.2%
Industrials	3.3%	5.9%
Utilities	1.9%	2.0%
Healthcare	0.5%	1.1%
Real Estate	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

EMDM vs. STXE — 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

STXE

STXE Risk / Return Rank: 92
STXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
STXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
STXE Omega Ratio Rank: 93
STXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
STXE Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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	STXE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.92	3.70	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.56	4.47	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.65	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.87	5.85	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.30	23.95	+0.35
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. STXE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDM Sharpe Ratio is 3.92, which is comparable to the STXE Sharpe Ratio of 3.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDM and STXE, 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	STXE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92	3.70	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	1.57	+0.01

Drawdowns

EMDM vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDM drawdown since its inception was -18.81%, roughly equal to the maximum STXE drawdown of -18.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDM and STXE.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDM	STXE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.81%	-18.92%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.65%	-14.51%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.81%	-18.92%	+0.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.32%	-1.00%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.07%	-3.72%	-0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	3.54%	+0.23%

Volatility

EMDM vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) is 9.61%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 10.53%. This indicates that EMDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMDM	STXE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.61%	10.53%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.78%	20.81%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.42%	22.95%	+0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.79%	17.68%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.79%	17.68%	+2.11%

EMDM vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDM has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDM vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison

EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, more than STXE's 1.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.57%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.83%	2.66%	3.22%	1.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDM and STXE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, EMDM and STXE 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 STXE?

STXE has higher volatility (10.53%) compared to EMDM (9.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDM dropped -18.81% vs STXE's -18.92%.

Which ETF is better, EMDM or STXE?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 32.95% vs 29.77% for STXE. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 9.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMDM or STXE?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 32.95% return vs 29.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMDM or STXE?

STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 1.83% for STXE.

What is the main difference between EMDM and STXE?

EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for EMDM and 0.32% for STXE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.92 vs 3.70), 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.