ROAM vs. EMXF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROAM (Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF) and EMXF (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ROAM tracks the Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity Index while EMXF tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ROAM returned 12.31%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for EMXF. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ROAM charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for EMXF.

Performance

ROAM vs. EMXF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ROAM achieves a 26.83% return, which is significantly higher than EMXF's 24.76% return.

ROAM

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: 8.68%
• YTD: 26.83%
• 6M: 28.99%
• 1Y: 51.96%
• 3Y*: 26.00%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 9.87%

EMXF

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 8.70%
• YTD: 24.76%
• 6M: 27.57%
• 1Y: 47.21%
• 3Y*: 21.67%
• 5Y*: 7.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

ROAM vs. EMXF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ROAM Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	26.83%	32.08%	6.21%	21.28%	-14.78%	9.32%	15.52%
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	24.76%	29.40%	8.03%	6.63%	-18.99%	4.45%	15.32%

Correlation

The correlation between ROAM and EMXF is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2020	0.82

The correlation between ROAM and EMXF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROAM vs. EMXF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROAM	EMXF
Technology	39.4%	35.2%
Financial Services	19.3%	32.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	5.7%
Communication Services	6.0%	8.0%
Industrials	5.6%	5.5%
Energy	5.3%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	2.9%
Basic Materials	4.1%	2.6%
Healthcare	3.3%	4.2%
Utilities	2.3%	0.6%
Real Estate	1.3%	1.7%

Return for Risk

ROAM vs. EMXF — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROAM

ROAM Risk / Return Rank: 91
ROAM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
ROAM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
ROAM Omega Ratio Rank: 92
ROAM Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ROAM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

EMXF

EMXF Risk / Return Rank: 77
EMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
EMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 78
EMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
EMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

ROAM vs. EMXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF). 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.

	ROAM	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.50	2.55	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.48	3.42	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.47	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.27	3.79	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.91	14.56	+5.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROAM vs. EMXF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROAM Sharpe Ratio is 3.50, which is higher than the EMXF Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROAM and EMXF, 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

	ROAM	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50	2.55	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.32	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.51	-0.13

Drawdowns

ROAM vs. EMXF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROAM drawdown since its inception was -45.47%, which is greater than EMXF's maximum drawdown of -33.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROAM and EMXF.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROAM	EMXF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.47%	-33.13%	-12.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.92%	-12.53%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.79%	-15.93%	-0.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.07%	-32.89%	+5.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.60%	-1.30%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.13%	-12.02%	+0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	3.25%	-0.63%

Volatility

ROAM vs. EMXF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (ROAM) is 6.41%, while iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF) has a volatility of 8.10%. This indicates that ROAM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROAM	EMXF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	8.10%	-1.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.76%	16.13%	-3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.93%	18.60%	-3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.23%	22.15%	-6.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	21.77%	-3.90%

ROAM vs. EMXF - Expense Ratio Comparison

ROAM has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than EMXF's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

ROAM vs. EMXF - Dividend Comparison

ROAM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than EMXF's 2.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	2.75%	3.43%	2.92%	2.25%	2.42%	1.87%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ROAM Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	2.50%	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 EMXF in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, ROAM and EMXF 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, ROAM or EMXF?

EMXF has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to ROAM (6.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROAM dropped -45.47% vs EMXF's -33.13%.

Which ETF is better, ROAM or EMXF?

On 5-year performance, ROAM leads with 12.31% vs 7.15% for EMXF. On fees, EMXF is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, ROAM has been the lower-risk option at 6.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROAM or EMXF?

Over the 5-year period, ROAM has performed better with a 12.31% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROAM or EMXF?

EMXF is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for ROAM.

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

EMXF has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 2.50% for ROAM.

What is the main difference between ROAM and EMXF?

ROAM tracks Hartford Multifactor Emerging Markets Equity Index, while EMXF tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.44% for ROAM and 0.16% for EMXF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROAM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.50 vs 2.55), 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.