TEMX vs. EMDM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TEMX (Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. TEMX is actively managed, while EMDM is passively managed. Over the past year, TEMX returned 52.13% vs 92.89% for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TEMX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

TEMX vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF (TEMX) 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, TEMX achieves a 35.12% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 43.47% return.

TEMX

• 1D: 1.72%
• 1M: 12.72%
• YTD: 35.12%
• 6M: 38.18%
• 1Y: 52.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMDM

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 9.64%
• YTD: 43.47%
• 6M: 47.72%
• 1Y: 92.89%
• 3Y*: 33.33%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TEMX vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TEMX Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF	35.12%	21.36%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	43.47%	51.07%

Correlation

The correlation between TEMX and EMDM is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2025	0.83

The correlation between TEMX and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TEMX vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEMX

TEMX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
TEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
TEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
TEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
TEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 93
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

TEMX vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF (TEMX) 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.

	TEMX	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	3.67	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	4.20	-1.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.62	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.50	5.97	-2.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.26	23.75	-10.49

TEMX vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is lower than the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 3.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEMX 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

TEMX vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEMX drawdown since its inception was -14.95%, smaller than the maximum EMDM drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEMX and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEMX	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.95%	-18.81%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.95%	-15.65%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.43%	-4.06%	+1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.94%	3.93%	+0.01%

Volatility

TEMX vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF (TEMX) has a higher volatility of 12.53% compared to First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) at 11.74%. This indicates that TEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TEMX	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.53%	11.74%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.30%	23.08%	-0.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.46%	25.50%	-1.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.35%	20.45%	+3.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.35%	20.45%	+3.90%

TEMX vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEMX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEMX vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

TEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, less than EMDM's 2.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.49%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%
TEMX Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF	0.80%	1.08%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEMX and EMDM in my portfolio?

TEMX and EMDM have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TEMX or EMDM?

TEMX has higher volatility (12.53%) compared to EMDM (11.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEMX dropped -14.95% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, TEMX or EMDM?

On 1-year performance, EMDM leads with 92.89% vs 52.13% for TEMX. On fees, EMDM is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 11.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TEMX or EMDM?

Over the 1-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 92.89% return vs 52.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TEMX or EMDM?

EMDM is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for TEMX.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.49%, compared with 0.80% for TEMX.

What is the main difference between TEMX and EMDM?

They also come from different issuers: Touchstone and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for TEMX and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.67 vs 2.15), 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.