FRDM vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FRDM tracks the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, FRDM returned 29.15%/yr vs 26.67%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FRDM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

FRDM vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FRDM having a 28.12% return and EMDM slightly lower at 27.86%.

FRDM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -4.87%
• 6M: 13.53%
• YTD: 28.12%
• 1Y: 65.50%
• 3Y*: 29.15%
• 5Y*: 17.22%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.90%

EMDM

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -3.52%
• 6M: 13.18%
• YTD: 27.86%
• 1Y: 66.00%
• 3Y*: 26.67%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.46%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	$660.85K	$757.43K	$571.79K
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	$22.77M	$21.45M	$25.02M

FRDM vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	28.12%	61.27%	1.70%	16.58%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	27.86%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDM and EMDM is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.92

The correlation between FRDM and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FRDM vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FRDM	EMDM
Financial Services	15.3%	25.6%
Technology	8.5%	39.9%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	5.3%
Basic Materials	3.4%	12.7%
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Energy	1.7%	4.8%
Utilities	1.2%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	3.1%
Industrials	0.3%	2.6%
Communication Services	0.3%	4.0%
Healthcare	0.1%	0.5%

Return for Risk

FRDM vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 90
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FRDM vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FRDM	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	2.38	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.91	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.41	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	4.23	-0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.29	13.54	-2.25

FRDM vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDM Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDM and EMDM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FRDM vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDM drawdown since its inception was -40.49%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDM and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDM	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.49%	-18.81%	-21.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.24%	-15.65%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.24%	-18.81%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.15%	-10.88%	-3.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.13%	-4.20%	-2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	4.88%	+0.89%

Volatility

FRDM vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a higher volatility of 12.28% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) at 9.95%. This indicates that FRDM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRDM	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.28%	9.95%	+2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.47%	25.55%	+2.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.66%	27.87%	+2.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.38%	21.16%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.62%	21.16%	+2.46%

FRDM vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDM vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

FRDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.69%, less than EMDM's 2.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.96%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.69%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDM and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FRDM and EMDM 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, FRDM or EMDM?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.28%) compared to EMDM (9.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDM dropped -40.49% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, FRDM or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, FRDM leads with 29.15% vs 26.67% for EMDM. On fees, FRDM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 9.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FRDM or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 29.15% return vs 26.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FRDM or EMDM?

FRDM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.96%, compared with 1.69% for FRDM.

What is the main difference between FRDM and EMDM?

FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Freedom Funds and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for FRDM and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.13), 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.