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First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF(EMDM)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for EMDM
10/28/2026: EMDM (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ETF (EMDM) provides targeted equity exposure to emerging market countries that meet specific democratic governance criteria. The fund aims to capture growth while mitigating political risks associated with authoritarian regimes, acting as a specialized thematic satellite in a global portfolio. Its primary strengths include a unique governance-focused strategy and the backing of the reputable First Trust issuer. However, investors should be aware of the higher expense ratio compared to broad-market emerging indices, as well as the inherent volatility and lower liquidity associated with this niche product. EMDM is best suited for long-term, ESG-minded investors who prioritize political stability in their emerging market allocation.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
ETF holdings, costs, diversification, valuation, risks, and market conditions provide supporting context about the fund.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Mixed fit | It offers growth potential but is tied to the volatile nature of emerging markets. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum depends on the performance cycles of selected emerging democratic nations. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | Emerging markets often present value opportunities, though democratic screening may exclude certain undervalued, non-democratic markets. |
| Dividend/Income investor | Weak fit | The fund is primarily focused on capital appreciation rather than consistent dividend yield. |
| Low-risk investor | Weak fit | Emerging market equities carry inherent high volatility and currency risks. |
Investor Profile
Ideal Investor Profile
The ideal investor is a long-term, values-driven individual who believes that democratic governance supports sustainable economic growth in emerging markets.
Suitability
Best for long-term investors seeking to incorporate governance-based thematic exposure into a diversified global equity portfolio.
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility | High | Emerging markets are inherently more volatile than developed markets. |
| Market risk | High | Global economic and political shifts heavily impact the fund's underlying holdings. |
| Concentration | Medium | The fund limits exposure to specific countries based on democratic scores, which may lead to geographic concentration. |
| Tracking/expense | Medium | Higher expense ratios compared to broad-market ETFs can impact long-term net returns. |
| Liquidity | Medium | Lower average daily volume may make it harder to exit large positions quickly. |
| Business/sector quality | Medium | The fund relies on the quality of companies operating within chosen democratic emerging economies. |
Risk Analysis
Volatility
High, reflecting the standard volatility of emerging equity markets.
Market Risk
Significant exposure to macroeconomic instability and foreign currency fluctuations.
What the ETF Owns
| Exposure Type | Exposure | Weight (%) | Retail Investor Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Emerging Market Democracies (e.g., India, Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil) | 95 | This allocation captures broad equity exposure to countries exhibiting democratic governance in the developing world. |
| Cash/collateral | Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5 | A small cash position is held for liquidity and operational purposes. |
Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type ETF | Historic Profit 36.87% | Avg. Invested days 63 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | ETF Returns Performance |

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