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EMMG

$6.48+0%Emerging Markets3/100
Fund Page ↗

BetaShares Martin Currie Emerging Markets Fund · BetaShares

Data as at 29 March 2026

TL;DR

An actively managed emerging markets fund where professional stock pickers choose individual holdings rather than tracking an index. Managed by Legg Mason (now Franklin Templeton) under a BetaShares wrapper.

MER (Annual Fee)
0.69%
#5 lowest in Emerging Markets
1Y Return
+17.4%
3Y Return (p.a.)
-1.7%
Dividend Yield
-
Non-distributing
AUM
$45M
Assets under management
Avg Daily Turnover
$45K
Avg shares × unit price
Unit Price
$6.48
As at 29 March 2026
Provider
BetaShares
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Strategy

Uses Legg Mason's fundamental research process to select emerging market stocks. The portfolio differs from any index and holds only companies the managers believe are undervalued or have strong growth prospects.

Top Holdings

Key Fact

EMMG is one of very few actively managed emerging market ETFs on the ASX. Most emerging market funds are passive index trackers — EMMG's active approach means its portfolio has little resemblance to VGE or IEM.

Suited for

Investors who believe active management adds value in emerging markets, where information is less widely available and market inefficiency is higher than in developed markets.

Risks

Active management means higher fees and the risk that the managers underperform a passive index after costs. Manager decisions create the risk of being wrong about specific companies or countries.

ETFCheck Score3/100
Fees (40%)0
Fund Size (25%)0
Liquidity (20%)15
Yield (15%)0
How scores are calculated →
Other Emerging Markets ETFs
VGE
0.48% MER
44
WEMG
0.24% MER
41
ILF
0.48% MER
32
IEM
0.67% MER
29View all Emerging Markets ETFs →

Frequently Asked Questions - EMMG

What does it mean that EMMG is actively managed and how does this affect SMSF portfolios?+
Unlike passive ETFs such as IEM and WEMG, EMMG is actively managed by Martin Currie, meaning portfolio managers select stocks they believe will outperform the broader emerging markets index. This introduces manager risk - if stock picks underperform, EMMG may lag passive alternatives. SMSF trustees should consider whether they're comfortable paying the 0.69% MER for active management when passive EM options like WEMG charge just 0.24% for similar market exposure.
Why has EMMG underperformed cheaper passive EM ETFs like IEM and WEMG over the past year?+
EMMG returned 7.2% over the past year, trailing IEM's 7.8% and WEMG's 8.1%. Active managers in emerging markets face a well-documented challenge: EM indices are driven by macro factors like currency moves and commodity prices that are difficult to consistently predict through stock selection. Combined with EMMG's higher 0.69% MER creating greater fee drag, Australian investors should assess whether Martin Currie's process can add value over a full market cycle before committing.
Does EMMG generate more or fewer capital gains distributions than passive EM ETFs?+
Actively managed ETFs like EMMG typically generate higher capital gains distributions than passive alternatives because frequent buying and selling of holdings triggers taxable events. For Australian investors outside superannuation, these distributions are assessed at marginal tax rates, potentially creating unexpected tax bills. SMSF investors in accumulation phase pay 15% on gains, with a one-third CGT discount for holdings over 12 months, but should budget for potentially lumpy annual distributions.
Who is the ideal Australian investor for EMMG over a passive option like WEMG?+
EMMG suits Australian investors who believe skilled active management can exploit inefficiencies in emerging markets, which are arguably less efficiently priced than developed markets. The fund is best for those with a long-term horizon willing to accept periods of underperformance in exchange for potential outperformance over a full cycle. It pairs well in SMSF portfolios already holding passive core positions, where EMMG adds a satellite active allocation for diversification of investment approach.