EMF vs. FRDM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMF (Templeton Emerging Markets Fund) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - EMF is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. EMF is actively managed, while FRDM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMF returned 12.16%/yr vs 19.81%/yr for FRDM. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMF charges 1.43%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.

Performance

EMF vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMF achieves a 43.93% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 46.51% return.

EMF

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 16.96%
• YTD: 43.93%
• 6M: 52.49%
• 1Y: 98.75%
• 3Y*: 37.03%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 15.85%

FRDM

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 18.47%
• YTD: 46.51%
• 6M: 55.81%
• 1Y: 100.10%
• 3Y*: 37.68%
• 5Y*: 19.81%
• 10Y*: —

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

EMF vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EMF Templeton Emerging Markets Fund	43.93%	58.20%	6.56%	8.84%	-21.53%	-8.23%	24.48%	19.17%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	46.51%	61.27%	1.70%	22.77%	-14.45%	6.13%	16.90%	12.33%

Correlation

The correlation between EMF and FRDM is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2019	0.72

The correlation between EMF and FRDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMF vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMF

EMF Risk / Return Rank: 95
EMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
EMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
EMF Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMF Martin Ratio Rank: 93

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 94
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

EMF vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.

	EMF	FRDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.37	4.12	+0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.11	4.76	+0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.77	1.69	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.04	6.08	-1.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.18	24.53	-4.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMF vs. FRDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMF Sharpe Ratio is 4.37, which is comparable to the FRDM Sharpe Ratio of 4.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMF and FRDM, 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

	EMF	FRDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.37	4.12	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.96	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.86	-0.63

Drawdowns

EMF vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMF drawdown since its inception was -76.97%, which is greater than FRDM's maximum drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMF and FRDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMF	FRDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.97%	-40.49%	-36.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.48%	-16.87%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.48%	-16.87%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.62%	-29.25%	-16.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.65%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.00%	-7.10%	-21.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.86%	4.18%	+0.68%

Volatility

EMF vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Templeton Emerging Markets Fund (EMF) is 8.88%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 10.86%. This indicates that EMF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMF	FRDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.88%	10.86%	-1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.01%	21.59%	-1.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.72%	24.47%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.49%	20.79%	-0.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.58%	22.77%	-2.19%

EMF vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMF has a 1.43% expense ratio, which is higher than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMF vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison

EMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.84%, more than FRDM's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMF Templeton Emerging Markets Fund	6.84%	9.73%	4.28%	6.22%	9.89%	6.92%	3.51%	7.36%	5.92%	12.11%	1.62%	12.81%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.49%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMF and FRDM in my portfolio?

EMF and FRDM have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMF or FRDM?

FRDM has higher volatility (10.86%) compared to EMF (8.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMF dropped -76.97% vs FRDM's -40.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.37 vs 4.12), 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.