EMDZX vs. SEDAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EMDZX (PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund) and SEDAX (SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, EMDZX returned 2.90%/yr vs 4.38%/yr for SEDAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMDZX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for SEDAX.

Performance

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (EMDZX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMDZX achieves a 0.27% return, which is significantly lower than SEDAX's 3.71% return. Over the past 10 years, EMDZX has underperformed SEDAX with an annualized return of 2.90%, while SEDAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.38% annualized return.

EMDZX

• 1D: -0.61%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 0.27%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 9.34%
• 3Y*: 7.12%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: 2.90%

SEDAX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 3.71%
• 6M: 4.32%
• 1Y: 16.04%
• 3Y*: 11.60%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 4.38%

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

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMDZX PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund	0.27%	19.52%	-3.79%	11.51%	-10.60%	-9.69%	5.01%	15.09%	-8.29%	16.28%
SEDAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund	3.71%	20.33%	3.13%	12.86%	-14.53%	-4.93%	4.68%	15.55%	-8.11%	15.32%

Correlation

The correlation between EMDZX and SEDAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2011	0.76

The correlation between EMDZX and SEDAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMDZX vs. SEDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMDZX

EMDZX Risk / Return Rank: 18
EMDZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
EMDZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
EMDZX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
EMDZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
EMDZX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

SEDAX

SEDAX Risk / Return Rank: 79
SEDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SEDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
SEDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SEDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (EMDZX) and SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX). 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.

	EMDZX	SEDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.92	-1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	4.61	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.63	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	3.03	-1.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.87	12.23	-8.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMDZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the SEDAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMDZX and SEDAX, 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

	EMDZX	SEDAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.92	-1.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.50	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32	0.52	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.42	-0.32

Drawdowns

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMDZX drawdown since its inception was -32.79%, smaller than the maximum SEDAX drawdown of -37.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMDZX and SEDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMDZX	SEDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.79%	-37.03%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.54%	-5.49%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.54%	-9.44%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.85%	-27.01%	+2.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.85%	-27.25%	+0.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.41%	-0.63%	-2.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.12%	-6.79%	-6.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	1.36%	+1.11%

Volatility

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (EMDZX) has a higher volatility of 2.58% compared to SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund (SEDAX) at 1.94%. This indicates that EMDZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SEDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMDZX	SEDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.58%	1.94%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.98%	5.00%	+1.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.96%	5.69%	+2.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.90%	7.02%	+0.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.00%	8.43%	+0.57%

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMDZX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than SEDAX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMDZX vs. SEDAX - Dividend Comparison

EMDZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.48%, less than SEDAX's 8.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMDZX PGIM Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund	6.48%	5.93%	5.58%	5.11%	4.11%	4.55%	4.64%	5.46%	6.31%	6.00%	6.19%	6.92%
SEDAX SEI Institutional Investments Trust Emerging Markets Debt Fund	8.69%	7.30%	7.24%	4.65%	2.08%	4.69%	1.52%	3.75%	3.17%	4.70%	3.59%	1.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMDZX and SEDAX in my portfolio?

EMDZX and SEDAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMDZX or SEDAX?

EMDZX has higher volatility (2.58%) compared to SEDAX (1.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMDZX dropped -32.79% vs SEDAX's -37.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 1.21), 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.