WAARX vs. EMO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WAARX (Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund) and EMO (ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund) are both mutual funds - WAARX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while EMO is a MLPs fund actively managed by Franklin Templeton. Over the past 10 years, WAARX returned 2.22%/yr vs 6.86%/yr for EMO. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WAARX charges 0.74%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for EMO.

Performance

WAARX vs. EMO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund (WAARX) and ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund (EMO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAARX achieves a 0.66% return, which is significantly lower than EMO's 16.06% return. Over the past 10 years, WAARX has underperformed EMO with an annualized return of 2.22%, while EMO has yielded a comparatively higher 6.86% annualized return.

WAARX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.66%
• 6M: 1.03%
• 1Y: 4.01%
• 3Y*: 5.21%
• 5Y*: 0.16%
• 10Y*: 2.22%

EMO

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -2.24%
• YTD: 16.06%
• 6M: 15.84%
• 1Y: 20.44%
• 3Y*: 32.27%
• 5Y*: 26.70%
• 10Y*: 6.86%

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

WAARX vs. EMO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WAARX Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund	0.66%	7.13%	1.80%	7.50%	-13.93%	-1.84%	5.12%	8.72%	-2.65%	7.69%
EMO ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund	16.06%	7.38%	44.45%	31.76%	40.13%	74.70%	-64.47%	19.60%	-25.73%	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between WAARX and EMO is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2011	0.14

The correlation between WAARX and EMO shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WAARX vs. EMO — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAARX

WAARX Risk / Return Rank: 32
WAARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
WAARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
WAARX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
WAARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
WAARX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

EMO

EMO Risk / Return Rank: 18
EMO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
EMO Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
EMO Omega Ratio Rank: 18
EMO Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
EMO Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

WAARX vs. EMO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund (WAARX) and ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund (EMO). 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.

	WAARX	EMO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.24	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	1.82	+0.64
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.23	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	1.91	-0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	4.24	+2.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WAARX vs. EMO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAARX Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the EMO Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAARX and EMO, 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

	WAARX	EMO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	1.24	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	1.00	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.17	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.11	+0.76

Drawdowns

WAARX vs. EMO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAARX drawdown since its inception was -20.10%, smaller than the maximum EMO drawdown of -95.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAARX and EMO.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAARX	EMO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.10%	-95.06%	+74.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.26%	-10.87%	+8.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.04%	-18.81%	+13.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.35%	-28.59%	+9.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.35%	-93.02%	+73.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-6.43%	+5.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.14%	-31.97%	+28.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.59%	4.89%	-4.30%

Volatility

WAARX vs. EMO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund (WAARX) is 0.70%, while ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund (EMO) has a volatility of 6.24%. This indicates that WAARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WAARX	EMO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.70%	6.24%	-5.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.80%	12.31%	-10.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48%	16.62%	-14.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.36%	26.74%	-22.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.18%	41.26%	-37.08%

WAARX vs. EMO - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAARX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than EMO's 13.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

WAARX vs. EMO - Dividend Comparison

WAARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.85%, less than EMO's 8.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMO ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund	8.60%	9.41%	7.16%	6.79%	6.71%	6.71%	15.82%	10.94%	16.39%	10.85%	9.76%	11.88%
WAARX Western Asset Total Return Unconstrained Fund	4.85%	4.40%	3.86%	2.54%	1.04%	4.40%	1.59%	4.30%	3.69%	3.59%	3.18%	3.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WAARX and EMO in my portfolio?

WAARX and EMO have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WAARX or EMO?

EMO has higher volatility (6.24%) compared to WAARX (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WAARX dropped -20.10% vs EMO's -95.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WAARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.24), 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.