Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) 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 MEMS. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to MEMS
MEMS charges 0.89% annually. There are 125 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | MEMS vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | MEMS vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | MEMS vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | MEMS vs IEMG | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.59B | Jan 2010 | MEMS vs SCHE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to MEMS
MEMS has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 37. There are 89 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | MEMS vs EMEQ | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | MEMS vs EVLU | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | MEMS vs GEME | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 88 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | MEMS vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 85 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | MEMS vs FTHF |
Top Performing MEMS Alternatives (YTD)
MEMS is at 20.04% YTD. There are 64 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 60.87%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 60.87% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | MEMS vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 40.66% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | MEMS vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 36.36% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | MEMS vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 36.27% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | MEMS vs STXE | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 35.33% | 228.29M | Dec 2007 | MEMS vs PIE |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to MEMS
MEMS has 22.97% 1-year volatility. There are 64 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.66%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.66% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | MEMS vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.85% | — | Jun 2025 | MEMS vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MEMS vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.69% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | MEMS vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.49% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | MEMS vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to MEMS
MEMS has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.29%. There are 43 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 | MEMS vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | MEMS vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | MEMS vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | MEMS vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | MEMS vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from Matthews
The 10 most viewed Matthews ETFs shown here include MKOR, ASIA, MEMX and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $158M.
Often Compared With MEMS
Investors most often compare MEMS with IBID, OAEM, BAMU. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare MEMS with Any Fund or Stock
Compare MEMS with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair MEMS with funds that move differently
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to MEMS.
Explore MEMS Diversifiers