FSEDX vs. EMD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSEDX (Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund) and EMD (Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, FSEDX returned 2.93%/yr vs 4.43%/yr for EMD. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FSEDX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for EMD.

Performance

FSEDX vs. EMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (FSEDX) and Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSEDX achieves a 1.58% return, which is significantly lower than EMD's 2.48% return.

FSEDX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.47%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 2.55%
• 1Y: 10.87%
• 3Y*: 8.34%
• 5Y*: 2.93%
• 10Y*: —

EMD

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: -3.17%
• YTD: 2.48%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 19.89%
• 3Y*: 19.50%
• 5Y*: 4.43%
• 10Y*: 6.08%

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

FSEDX vs. EMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FSEDX Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund	1.58%	19.49%	-2.54%	13.58%	-7.94%	-9.28%	3.54%
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	2.48%	23.41%	16.23%	12.23%	-20.78%	-0.32%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between FSEDX and EMD is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2020	0.36

The correlation between FSEDX and EMD shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FSEDX vs. EMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSEDX

FSEDX Risk / Return Rank: 32
FSEDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
FSEDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FSEDX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FSEDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
FSEDX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

EMD

EMD Risk / Return Rank: 26
EMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
EMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
EMD Omega Ratio Rank: 29
EMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
EMD Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

FSEDX vs. EMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (FSEDX) and Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD). 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.

	FSEDX	EMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	1.60	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.27	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.28	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	1.50	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.03	6.12	-0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSEDX vs. EMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSEDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is comparable to the EMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSEDX and EMD, 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

	FSEDX	EMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	1.60	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.27	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.33	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.36	+0.01

Drawdowns

FSEDX vs. EMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSEDX drawdown since its inception was -24.77%, smaller than the maximum EMD drawdown of -48.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSEDX and EMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSEDX	EMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.77%	-48.26%	+23.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-13.33%	+7.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.27%	-13.33%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.00%	-40.43%	+17.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.03%	-4.43%	+2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.01%	-8.80%	+0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	3.26%	-1.47%

Volatility

FSEDX vs. EMD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund (FSEDX) is 2.04%, while Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) has a volatility of 4.37%. This indicates that FSEDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSEDX	EMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	4.37%	-2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.36%	10.52%	-5.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.20%	12.49%	-6.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.60%	16.30%	-8.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.68%	18.37%	-10.69%

FSEDX vs. EMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSEDX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than EMD's 0.02% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FSEDX vs. EMD - Dividend Comparison

FSEDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.44%, less than EMD's 10.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMD Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc	10.94%	10.44%	10.57%	9.97%	11.09%	8.44%	8.45%	8.41%	9.76%	7.78%	9.99%	9.54%
FSEDX Fidelity Series Emerging Markets Debt Local Currency Fund	7.44%	6.97%	6.92%	5.14%	0.00%	3.96%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSEDX and EMD in my portfolio?

FSEDX and EMD have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSEDX or EMD?

EMD has higher volatility (4.37%) compared to FSEDX (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSEDX dropped -24.77% vs EMD's -48.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSEDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs 1.60), 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.