EMDM vs VYM
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EMDM or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EMDM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EMDM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 107 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +36.72%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +71.62%Best | +20.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +33.38%Best | +18.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $24,190Best | $16,589 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 2, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 3, 2023 to Sep 8, 2026 (3.5 years).
EMDM vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.5 years both funds cover.
EMDM vs VYM Performance
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMDM returned +71.62% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, EMDM is up 36.72% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, EMDM compounded at +33.38% per year against +18.43% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, EMDM has the edge at +28.71% annualized vs +15.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.4% compared with 11.2% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.8% for EMDM and -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMDM charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMDM currently yields 2.89% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
2.6% of EMDM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings EMDM also owns.
EMDM and VYM share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in EMDM and 602 in VYM, against full books of 107 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EMDM (97.2% of the fund), and 5 for EMDM that do not appear in VYM (15.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMDM and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EMDM or VYM?
EMDM has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMDM or VYM?
Over the past year EMDM returned +71.62% vs +20.01% for VYM, so EMDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), EMDM annualized +28.71% vs +15.56% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMDM or VYM?
EMDM has been the more volatile fund at 19.4% annualized versus 11.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EMDM -18.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both EMDM and VYM?
EMDM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EMDM and VYM?
2.6% of EMDM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings EMDM also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in EMDM and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMDM or VYM?
EMDM yields 2.89% while VYM yields 2.24%, so EMDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EMDM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. EMDM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.