ROAM vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

ROAM (Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ROAM tracks the Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, ROAM returned 22.31%/yr vs 29.08%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ROAM charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

ROAM vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) 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, ROAM achieves a 22.08% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 31.45% return.

ROAM

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -1.75%
• 6M: 12.98%
• YTD: 22.08%
• 1Y: 36.45%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: 8.69%
• ALL TIME*: 6.49%

EMDM

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -4.02%
• 6M: 14.67%
• YTD: 31.45%
• 1Y: 67.48%
• 3Y*: 29.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.36%

*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	$396.72K	$684.93K	$527.74K
ROAM Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	$489.94K	$443.35K	$1.03M

ROAM vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ROAM Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	22.08%	32.08%	6.21%	16.74%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	31.45%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between ROAM and EMDM is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.87

The correlation between ROAM and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROAM vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROAM	EMDM
Technology	41.2%	39.9%
Financial Services	19.6%	25.6%
Communication Services	6.9%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	6.6%	5.3%
Industrials	5.8%	2.6%
Energy	4.5%	4.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.1%	3.1%
Basic Materials	3.7%	12.7%
Healthcare	3.5%	0.5%
Utilities	2.7%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

ROAM vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROAM

ROAM Risk / Return Rank: 77
ROAM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
ROAM Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ROAM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ROAM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ROAM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 87
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

ROAM vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) 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.

	ROAM	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.43	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.96	-0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.42	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.29	4.33	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.94	13.59	-3.65

ROAM vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROAM Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROAM 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

ROAM vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROAM drawdown since its inception was -45.47%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROAM and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROAM	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.47%	-18.81%	-26.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-15.65%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.79%	-18.81%	+2.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.48%	-8.38%	+2.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.05%	-4.22%	-6.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	4.98%	-1.30%

Volatility

ROAM vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) is 5.97%, while First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) has a volatility of 9.12%. This indicates that ROAM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROAM	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.97%	9.12%	-3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.96%	25.38%	-9.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.70%	27.92%	-10.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.78%	21.16%	-5.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	21.16%	-3.20%

ROAM vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROAM has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROAM vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

ROAM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.40%, less than EMDM's 2.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.88%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ROAM Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	2.40%	3.17%	4.15%	5.40%	5.23%	4.22%	3.04%	3.55%	2.54%	1.84%	1.89%	2.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROAM and EMDM in my portfolio?

ROAM and EMDM have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROAM or EMDM?

EMDM has higher volatility (9.12%) compared to ROAM (5.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROAM dropped -45.47% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, ROAM or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 29.08% vs 22.31% for ROAM. On fees, ROAM is cheaper at 0.44% per year. On volatility, ROAM has been the lower-risk option at 5.97%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROAM or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 29.08% return vs 22.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROAM or EMDM?

ROAM is cheaper with a 0.44% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.88%, compared with 2.40% for ROAM.

What is the main difference between ROAM and EMDM?

ROAM tracks Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for ROAM and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.07), 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.