Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with MEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MEM
MEM charges 0.79% annually. There are 108 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | MEM vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | MEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | MEM vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | MEM vs IEMG | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | MEM vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MEM
MEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 60. There are 63 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 92 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | MEM vs EMEQ | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | MEM vs EVLU | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | MEM vs GEME | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 89 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | MEM vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 86 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | MEM vs FTHF |
Top Performing MEM Alternatives (YTD)
MEM is at 19.84% YTD. There are 43 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 55.77%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 55.77% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | MEM vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 35.77% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | MEM vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 32.23% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | MEM vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.89% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | MEM vs STXE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 30.26% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | MEM vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MEM
MEM has 24.98% 1-year volatility. There are 92 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.65% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | MEM vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | MEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | MEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | MEM vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MEM
MEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -14.62%. There are 70 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | MEM vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | MEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | MEM vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MEM vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | MEM vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from Matthews
The 9 most viewed Matthews ETFs shown here include MKOR, ASIA, MEMX and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $158M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthews Korea Active ETF | South Korea Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 86 | 59.13% | 126.86M | Oct 2010 | MEM vs MKOR | |
| Matthews Pacific Tiger Active ETF | Asia Pacific Equities | 54 | 18.51% | 51.39M | Sep 2023 | MEM vs ASIA | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF | Emerging Markets Equities | 73 | 21.74% | 52.30M | Jan 2023 | MEM vs MEMX | |
| Matthews China Active ETF | China Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 24 | -0.74% | 22.57M | Jul 2022 | MEM vs MCH | |
| Matthews China Discovery Active ETF | China Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 45 | 23.55% | 19.25M | Jan 2024 | MEM vs MCHS | |
| Matthews Asia Innovators Active ETF | Asia Pacific Equities | 64 | 35.22% | 157.80M | Jul 2022 | MEM vs MINV | |
| Matthews India Active ETF | India Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 14 | -0.72% | 17.68M | Sep 2023 | MEM vs INDE | |
| Matthews Asia Dividend Active ETF | Asia Pacific Equities | 69 | 17.57% | 9.22M | Sep 2023 | MEM vs ADVE | |
| Matthews Japan Active ETF | Japan Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 55 | 16.20% | 10.01M | Sep 2023 | MEM vs JPAN |
Often Compared With MEM
Investors most often compare MEM with FNDE, SPMO, EDIV. These 20 comparison targets span 5 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MEM with funds that move differently
Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MEM.
Explore MEM Diversifiers