XEMD provides exposure to a basket of emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds denominated in USD. The underlying index will include both investment-grade and high-yield securities with 1 to 10 years until maturity. Eligible countries must pass certain economic criteria. Convertible bonds are not eligible. By holding USD-denominated rather than local-currency debt, the fund eliminates direct currency risk for US investors but increases credit risk, as the strengthening dollar or weakening local currency could make debt harder to service. Each issuer must have at least USD 500 million outstanding, and bonds need at least 2.5 years remaining to maturity. The underlying index is market value-weighted and is rebalanced monthly on the last business day of the month.