XCEM vs. EMDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and EMDM (First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - XCEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index while EMDM tracks the Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XCEM returned 21.41%/yr vs 28.08%/yr for EMDM. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for EMDM.

Performance

XCEM vs. EMDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) 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, XCEM achieves a 24.71% return, which is significantly lower than EMDM's 28.39% return.

XCEM

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -5.51%
• 6M: 13.55%
• YTD: 24.71%
• 1Y: 46.19%
• 3Y*: 21.41%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: 10.65%
• ALL TIME*: 11.40%

EMDM

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -3.12%
• 6M: 12.42%
• YTD: 28.39%
• 1Y: 66.69%
• 3Y*: 28.08%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 26.54%

*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	$370.33K	$752.09K	$541.22K
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	$7.04M	$7.53M	$9.61M

XCEM vs. EMDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	24.71%	34.05%	0.42%	15.66%
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	28.39%	59.68%	-4.93%	14.75%

Correlation

The correlation between XCEM and EMDM is 0.94, 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.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2023	0.93

The correlation between XCEM and EMDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

XCEM vs. EMDM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XCEM	EMDM
Technology	50.4%	39.9%
Financial Services	17.2%	25.6%
Industrials	9.6%	2.6%
Basic Materials	5.2%	12.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	5.3%
Communication Services	3.2%	4.0%
Energy	3.1%	4.8%
Healthcare	2.3%	0.5%
Utilities	1.8%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	1.8%	3.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

XCEM vs. EMDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 72
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 77
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XCEM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

EMDM

EMDM Risk / Return Rank: 89
EMDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
EMDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
EMDM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
EMDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMDM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

XCEM vs. EMDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) 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.

	XCEM	EMDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	2.41	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	2.94	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.42	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	4.28	-1.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.98	13.58	-4.60

XCEM vs. EMDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is comparable to the EMDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCEM 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

XCEM vs. EMDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than EMDM's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and EMDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCEM	EMDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.24%	-18.81%	-22.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.20%	-15.65%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.92%	-18.81%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.95%	-10.51%	-2.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.58%	-4.21%	-4.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.16%	4.93%	+0.23%

Volatility

XCEM vs. EMDM - Volatility Comparison

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) have volatilities of 10.15% and 9.92%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XCEM	EMDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.15%	9.92%	+0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.63%	25.36%	-0.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.40%	27.91%	-1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.09%	21.15%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.11%	21.15%	-1.04%

XCEM vs. EMDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than EMDM's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCEM vs. EMDM - Dividend Comparison

XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than EMDM's 2.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMDM First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF	2.95%	3.57%	5.87%	2.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.61%	3.25%	2.76%	1.22%	2.42%	1.94%	1.63%	2.11%	2.70%	9.56%	1.24%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XCEM and EMDM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XCEM and EMDM 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, XCEM or EMDM?

XCEM has higher volatility (10.15%) compared to EMDM (9.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCEM dropped -41.24% vs EMDM's -18.81%.

Which ETF is better, XCEM or EMDM?

On 3-year performance, EMDM leads with 28.08% vs 21.41% for XCEM. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, EMDM has been the lower-risk option at 9.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XCEM or EMDM?

Over the 3-year period, EMDM has performed better with a 28.08% return vs 21.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XCEM or EMDM?

XCEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for EMDM.

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

EMDM has the higher dividend yield at 2.95%, compared with 2.61% for XCEM.

What is the main difference between XCEM and EMDM?

XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while EMDM tracks Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XCEM and 0.75% for EMDM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.76), 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.