ETF Pulse Check Navigating Emerging Markets with EMCS
ETF EdgeSunday, Jun 15, 2025 11:06 pm ET

The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) is strategically positioned to offer investors exposure to large- and mid-cap emerging-market stocks that demonstrate superior environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores. With its focus on climate leadership, EMCS seeks to maintain a balanced exposure across various markets by weighting stocks according to market capitalization while excluding certain industries such as alcohol, tobacco, and weapons. This approach is particularly relevant in the current investment climate, where ESG considerations are gaining heightened attention and investor interest. By emphasizing stocks with robust ESG profiles, EMCS aims to provide a sustainable investment option without making significant country or sector bets, ensuring a diversified exposure to the emerging markets landscape.
Basic Information
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF, trading under the ticker EMCS, is issued by DWS and was launched on December 6th, 2018. With an expense ratio of 0.15%, the ETF offers a cost-efficient investment vehicle for those looking at emerging markets through an ESG lens. The fund's top 15 holdings include industry giants such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) with a weight of 14.14%, Tencent at 7.71%, and Alibaba at 4.60%. Information Technology leads the sector exposure with 21.96%, followed by Financials and Communication Services at 11.14% and 9.52%, respectively. The ETF's recent net flow ratios over seven and thirty days stand at 0.16% and 1.71%, indicating varying degrees of investor interest. Its performance over six months, one year, and three years averages returns of 7.90%, 11.12%, and 0.07%, with corresponding volatilities of 5.38%, 5.83%, and 13.69%, respectively.
News Summary
Recent headlines affecting the ETF's sector and macroeconomic environment highlight a substantial focus on technology advancements and geopolitical developments. The technology sector, a significant part of EMCS's holdings, is abuzz with updates on AI advancements, such as Meta's investment in AI firm Scale and developments in Google's AI capabilities. Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as China's property market challenges and geopolitical tensions between China and the US could affect top holdings like Tencent and Alibaba. The ripple effects of these geopolitical tensions may also impact international trade flows, crucial for companies like Xiaomi and Meituan-W, thus influencing the ETF's overall performance.
Analyst Rating: Hold
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF is rated as a 'Hold' due to its mixed performance across several key metrics. While the ETF boasts a competitive expense ratio of 0.15% and demonstrates strong one-year return growth of 11.12%, its three-year average return of 0.07% suggests underperformance over a longer horizon. With a standard deviation of 13.69% over three years, potential volatility remains a concern despite the ETF's balanced premium rate metrics. The ETF's diversified sector exposure, with top holdings concentrating on Information Technology, supports a cautious investment approach. Overall, the 'Hold' rating reflects cautious optimism for potential growth tempered by volatility risks.
Backtest Scenario
During the 2020 tech sector rally, driven by pandemic-induced digital transformation, the Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) would have been influenced by the broader technology sector's performance. The ETF's focus on climate leadership may have limited exposure to certain high-growth tech segments, given its ESG criteria. While the tech rally provided a favorable backdrop, EMCS's performance would have been shaped by its specific holdings and climate-focused strategy. This scenario underscores the importance of understanding the ETF's criteria and market conditions during historical evaluations.
Risk Outlook
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF is subject to several forward-looking risks, primarily due to its sector concentrations and geopolitical exposures. The significant allocation to Information Technology, coupled with top holdings like TSMC and Tencent, could be impacted by consumer demand fluctuations amid China's property market downturn. Geopolitical tensions between China and the US further exacerbate risks for companies reliant on global trade. Although liquidity risk appears manageable with stable net flow ratios, geopolitical and macroeconomic policy shifts could alter this stability. Analysts note that while current volatility and premium rates are contained, potential geopolitical instability remains a critical risk factor.
Conclusion
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF presents a balanced investment opportunity, appealing to those with a moderate risk appetite seeking ESG-focused exposure in emerging markets. Investors should closely monitor geopolitical developments and market sentiment shifts that could impact the ETF's performance. The fund's strategic emphasis on climate leadership within the emerging market landscape underscores its potential for growth, balanced by inherent volatility risks.
Basic Information
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF, trading under the ticker EMCS, is issued by DWS and was launched on December 6th, 2018. With an expense ratio of 0.15%, the ETF offers a cost-efficient investment vehicle for those looking at emerging markets through an ESG lens. The fund's top 15 holdings include industry giants such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) with a weight of 14.14%, Tencent at 7.71%, and Alibaba at 4.60%. Information Technology leads the sector exposure with 21.96%, followed by Financials and Communication Services at 11.14% and 9.52%, respectively. The ETF's recent net flow ratios over seven and thirty days stand at 0.16% and 1.71%, indicating varying degrees of investor interest. Its performance over six months, one year, and three years averages returns of 7.90%, 11.12%, and 0.07%, with corresponding volatilities of 5.38%, 5.83%, and 13.69%, respectively.
News Summary
Recent headlines affecting the ETF's sector and macroeconomic environment highlight a substantial focus on technology advancements and geopolitical developments. The technology sector, a significant part of EMCS's holdings, is abuzz with updates on AI advancements, such as Meta's investment in AI firm Scale and developments in Google's AI capabilities. Additionally, macroeconomic factors such as China's property market challenges and geopolitical tensions between China and the US could affect top holdings like Tencent and Alibaba. The ripple effects of these geopolitical tensions may also impact international trade flows, crucial for companies like Xiaomi and Meituan-W, thus influencing the ETF's overall performance.
Analyst Rating: Hold
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF is rated as a 'Hold' due to its mixed performance across several key metrics. While the ETF boasts a competitive expense ratio of 0.15% and demonstrates strong one-year return growth of 11.12%, its three-year average return of 0.07% suggests underperformance over a longer horizon. With a standard deviation of 13.69% over three years, potential volatility remains a concern despite the ETF's balanced premium rate metrics. The ETF's diversified sector exposure, with top holdings concentrating on Information Technology, supports a cautious investment approach. Overall, the 'Hold' rating reflects cautious optimism for potential growth tempered by volatility risks.
Backtest Scenario
During the 2020 tech sector rally, driven by pandemic-induced digital transformation, the Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) would have been influenced by the broader technology sector's performance. The ETF's focus on climate leadership may have limited exposure to certain high-growth tech segments, given its ESG criteria. While the tech rally provided a favorable backdrop, EMCS's performance would have been shaped by its specific holdings and climate-focused strategy. This scenario underscores the importance of understanding the ETF's criteria and market conditions during historical evaluations.
Risk Outlook
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF is subject to several forward-looking risks, primarily due to its sector concentrations and geopolitical exposures. The significant allocation to Information Technology, coupled with top holdings like TSMC and Tencent, could be impacted by consumer demand fluctuations amid China's property market downturn. Geopolitical tensions between China and the US further exacerbate risks for companies reliant on global trade. Although liquidity risk appears manageable with stable net flow ratios, geopolitical and macroeconomic policy shifts could alter this stability. Analysts note that while current volatility and premium rates are contained, potential geopolitical instability remains a critical risk factor.
Conclusion
The Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF presents a balanced investment opportunity, appealing to those with a moderate risk appetite seeking ESG-focused exposure in emerging markets. Investors should closely monitor geopolitical developments and market sentiment shifts that could impact the ETF's performance. The fund's strategic emphasis on climate leadership within the emerging market landscape underscores its potential for growth, balanced by inherent volatility risks.

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