LDEM vs. FTEC

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

LDEM (iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF) and FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while FTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDEM returned 2.20%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for FTEC. Their 0.57 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. LDEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FTEC.

Performance

LDEM vs. FTEC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDEM achieves a 4.06% return, which is significantly lower than FTEC's 22.53% return.

LDEM

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 1.98%
• 6M: -2.84%
• YTD: 4.06%
• 1Y: 14.36%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 2.20%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.02%

FTEC

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: 0.31%
• 6M: 22.49%
• YTD: 22.53%
• 1Y: 37.50%
• 3Y*: 29.49%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 23.79%
• ALL TIME*: 21.60%

*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)
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	$86.23M	$78.73M	$94.95M
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	$34.08K	$42.01K	$92.23K

LDEM vs. FTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	4.06%	32.49%	5.87%	6.49%	-22.46%	-2.03%	16.30%
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	22.53%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	33.44%

Correlation

The correlation between LDEM and FTEC is 0.72, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2020	0.57

The correlation between LDEM and FTEC shifts across timeframes, from 0.57 (all time) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LDEM vs. FTEC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LDEM	FTEC
Financial Services	24.8%	0.5%
Technology	23.9%	98.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	0.1%
Communication Services	9.9%	0.5%
Industrials	7.6%	0.3%
Basic Materials	6.7%	0.0%
Energy	4.4%	0.3%
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	-
Utilities	2.5%	-
Real Estate	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

LDEM vs. FTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 31
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 30
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
LDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 32

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 61
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

LDEM vs. FTEC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). 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.

	LDEM	FTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	1.55	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.13	2.10	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.26	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.09	2.32	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.95	6.23	-3.28

LDEM vs. FTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDEM Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the FTEC Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDEM and FTEC, 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

LDEM vs. FTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDEM drawdown since its inception was -40.82%, which is greater than FTEC's maximum drawdown of -34.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDEM and FTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDEM	FTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.82%	-34.95%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-16.26%	+3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-27.30%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.26%	-34.95%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.49%	-8.48%	+1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.09%	-5.59%	-11.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.89%	6.04%	-1.15%

Volatility

LDEM vs. FTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) is 6.84%, while Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) has a volatility of 8.41%. This indicates that LDEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDEM	FTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	8.41%	-1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.91%	20.16%	-3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	24.30%	-4.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.50%	25.89%	-6.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.92%	24.99%	-4.07%

LDEM vs. FTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than FTEC's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

LDEM vs. FTEC - Dividend Comparison

LDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, more than FTEC's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.36%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	2.95%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDEM and FTEC in my portfolio?

LDEM and FTEC have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LDEM or FTEC?

FTEC has higher volatility (8.41%) compared to LDEM (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDEM dropped -40.82% vs FTEC's -34.95%.

Which ETF is better, LDEM or FTEC?

On 5-year performance, FTEC leads with 18.32% vs 2.20% for LDEM. On fees, FTEC is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, LDEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDEM or FTEC?

Over the 5-year period, FTEC has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 2.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDEM or FTEC?

FTEC is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for LDEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDEM or FTEC?

LDEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.95%, compared with 0.36% for FTEC.

What is the main difference between LDEM and FTEC?

LDEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while FTEC is Technology Equities. LDEM tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while FTEC tracks MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for LDEM and 0.08% for FTEC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 0.74), 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.