EMKT vs. EMDM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMKT (Lazard Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. EMKT is actively managed, while EMDM is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMKT charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

EMKT vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMKT achieves a 30.02% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 39.03% return.

EMKT

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 11.71%
• YTD: 30.02%
• 6M: 31.86%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMDM

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

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

EMKT vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EMKT Lazard Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF	30.02%	-1.29%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	39.03%	6.80%

Correlation

The correlation between EMKT and EMDM is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

EMKT vs. EMDM — 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

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.

EMKT vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMKT	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	3.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.33	1.58	+0.75

Drawdowns

EMKT vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMKT drawdown since its inception was -14.21%, smaller than the maximum EMDM drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMKT and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMKT	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.21%	-18.81%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-15.65%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-1.32%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-4.07%	+1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.77%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	EMKT	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	9.61%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	20.78%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.46%	23.42%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	19.79%	+2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	19.79%	+2.67%

EMKT vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMKT has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMKT vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

EMKT has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EMDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.57%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%
EMKT Lazard Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMKT and EMDM in my portfolio?

EMKT and EMDM have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EMKT or EMDM?

On fees, EMKT is cheaper at 0.74% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMKT or EMDM?

EMKT is cheaper with a 0.74% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 0.00% for EMKT.

What is the main difference between EMKT and EMDM?

They also come from different issuers: Lazard and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.74% for EMKT and 0.75% for EMDM.