NSI vs. EMSF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) and Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF).

NSI and EMSF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NSI is a passively managed fund by Tuttle that tracks the performance of the Alerian National Security Emerging Markets Index. It was launched on Dec 6, 2023. EMSF is an actively managed fund by Matthews. It was launched on Sep 21, 2023.

Performance

NSI vs. EMSF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) and Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NSI vs. EMSF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NSI National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF	4.85%	35.94%	-1.21%	4.68%
EMSF Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF	9.54%	19.20%	-3.09%	3.10%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NSI achieves a 4.85% return, which is significantly lower than EMSF's 9.54% return.

NSI

• 1D: 3.78%
• 1M: -8.34%
• YTD: 4.85%
• 6M: 9.94%
• 1Y: 37.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMSF

• 1D: 4.37%
• 1M: -9.73%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 8.20%
• 1Y: 30.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NSI vs. EMSF - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSI has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than EMSF's 0.79% expense ratio.

NSI

National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF

EMSF

Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF

Return for Risk

NSI vs. EMSF — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSI

NSI Risk / Return Rank: 88
NSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
NSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NSI Omega Ratio Rank: 89
NSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
NSI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

EMSF

EMSF Risk / Return Rank: 69
EMSF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
EMSF Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
EMSF Omega Ratio Rank: 65
EMSF Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
EMSF Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

NSI vs. EMSF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) and Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF). 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.

	NSI	EMSF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.26	+0.69
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	1.74	+0.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.24	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	2.05	+0.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.60	6.96	+3.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NSI vs. EMSF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the EMSF Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSI and EMSF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NSI	EMSF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.26	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.03	0.49	+0.54

Correlation

The correlation between NSI and EMSF is 0.86, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

NSI vs. EMSF - Dividend Comparison

NSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, less than EMSF's 1.72% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023
NSI National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF	1.61%	1.69%	3.39%	0.34%
EMSF Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF	1.72%	1.88%	3.29%	0.02%

Drawdowns

NSI vs. EMSF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSI drawdown since its inception was -18.77%, smaller than the maximum EMSF drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSI and EMSF.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSI	EMSF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.77%	-24.75%	+5.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.66%	-14.57%	+0.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.40%	-10.83%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.65%	-5.96%	+2.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	4.29%	-0.76%

Volatility

NSI vs. EMSF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) is 9.26%, while Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Active ETF (EMSF) has a volatility of 12.64%. This indicates that NSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMSF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NSI	EMSF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.26%	12.64%	-3.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	19.40%	-4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.40%	24.55%	-5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.83%	21.79%	-3.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.83%	21.79%	-3.96%