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SDEM vs. EMXF
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SDEM vs. EMXF

Last updated Aug 2, 2026
Documentation

SDEM (Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF) and EMXF (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - SDEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend while EMXF tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SDEM returned 6.12%/yr vs 7.44%/yr for EMXF. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SDEM charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for EMXF.

Performance

SDEM vs. EMXF - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDEM achieves a 13.99% return, which is significantly lower than EMXF's 19.42% return.

SDEM

1D
-0.42%
1M
4.50%
6M
5.07%
YTD
13.99%
1Y
28.41%
3Y*
18.54%
5Y*
6.12%
10Y*
4.40%
ALL TIME*
3.94%

EMXF

1D
0.03%
1M
-2.28%
6M
11.63%
YTD
19.42%
1Y
33.79%
3Y*
17.34%
5Y*
7.44%
10Y*
—
ALL TIME*
10.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

EMXF

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF
$687.78K$551.48K$444.06K

SDEM

Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF
$101.46K$99.85K$114.98K

SDEM vs. EMXF - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		13.99%32.01%4.02%12.64%-21.53%2.11%18.13%
EMXF
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF		19.42%29.40%8.03%6.63%-18.99%4.45%15.65%

Correlation

The correlation between SDEM and EMXF is 0.68, 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.

0.68

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.70

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.64

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020

0.64

The correlation between SDEM and EMXF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDEM vs. EMXF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SDEM
EMXF

Financial Services

27.7%
34.8%

Industrials

10.2%
6.1%

Real Estate

7.7%
1.6%

Utilities

7.2%
0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

6.0%
6.2%

Communication Services

5.5%
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

5.4%
2.6%

Basic Materials

5.2%
2.5%

Energy

3.6%
0.0%

Technology

2.5%
32.4%

Healthcare

1.9%
3.9%

Financial Services

SDEM
27.7%
EMXF
34.8%

Industrials

SDEM
10.2%
EMXF
6.1%

Real Estate

SDEM
7.7%
EMXF
1.6%

Utilities

SDEM
7.2%
EMXF
0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

SDEM
6.0%
EMXF
6.2%

Communication Services

SDEM
5.5%
EMXF
9.3%

Consumer Defensive

SDEM
5.4%
EMXF
2.6%

Basic Materials

SDEM
5.2%
EMXF
2.5%

Energy

SDEM
3.6%
EMXF
0.0%

Technology

SDEM
2.5%
EMXF
32.4%

Healthcare

SDEM
1.9%
EMXF
3.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

Often compared with SDEM:
SDEM vs. SDIVSDEM vs. EFASSDEM vs. ALTYSDEM vs. DVYASDEM vs. SCHDSDEM vs. DGRWSDEM vs. SPY
Often compared with EMXF:
EMXF vs. LDEMEMXF vs. EEMEMXF vs. VXUSEMXF vs. ESGEEMXF vs. SPEMEMXF vs. VSGXEMXF vs. AVEM

Return for Risk

SDEM vs. EMXF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
SDEM
SDEM Risk / Return Rank: 8383
Overall Rank
SDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
SDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 8282
Omega Ratio Rank
SDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
SDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
EMXF
EMXF Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
EMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6464
Sortino Ratio Rank
EMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
EMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
EMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SDEM vs. EMXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) 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.

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.

SDEMEMXFDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.05
1.55

+0.50

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.86
2.14

+0.72

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.29

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.23

2.65

+0.58

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.60

8.35

+1.25

SDEM vs. EMXF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the EMXF Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDEM 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.

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Drawdowns

SDEM vs. EMXF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDEM drawdown since its inception was -47.38%, which is greater than EMXF's maximum drawdown of -33.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDEM and EMXF.

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Drawdown Indicators

SDEMEMXFDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-47.38%

-33.13%

-14.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.03%

-12.53%

+3.50%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-12.34%

-15.93%

+3.59%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.08%

-31.72%

-4.36%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-47.38%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.04%

-7.86%

+6.82%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-20.46%

-11.83%

-8.63%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.03%

3.97%

-0.94%

Volatility

SDEM vs. EMXF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) is 3.94%, while iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF) has a volatility of 7.57%. This indicates that SDEM 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.

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Volatility by Period

SDEMEMXFDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.94%

7.57%

-3.63%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.69%

19.65%

-7.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.28%

21.48%

-7.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.47%

22.62%

-5.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.05%

22.03%

-2.98%

SDEM vs. EMXF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDEM has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than EMXF's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDEM vs. EMXF - Dividend Comparison

SDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%, more than EMXF's 2.78% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EMXF
iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF		2.78%3.43%2.92%2.25%2.42%1.87%0.41%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
SDEM
Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF		4.91%5.27%7.28%7.50%8.86%8.14%6.30%6.47%6.55%5.01%5.06%6.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

SDEM and EMXF have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EMXF has higher volatility (7.57%) compared to SDEM (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDEM dropped -47.38% vs EMXF's -33.13%.

On 5-year performance, EMXF leads with 7.44% vs 6.12% for SDEM. On fees, EMXF is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, SDEM has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, EMXF has performed better with a 7.44% return vs 6.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

EMXF is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for SDEM.

SDEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.91%, compared with 2.78% for EMXF.

SDEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend, while EMXF tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for SDEM and 0.16% for EMXF.

SDEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.55), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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