Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) 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 XCEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XCEM
XCEM charges 0.16% annually. There are 7 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% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | XCEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | XCEM vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | XCEM vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | XCEM vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | XCEM vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XCEM
XCEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 79. There are 7 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 89 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | XCEM vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 88 | — | Sep 2024 | XCEM vs EVLU | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 87 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | XCEM vs PIE | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 83 | 102.15M | Jun 2011 | XCEM vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 82 | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | XCEM vs EMXC |
Top Performing XCEM Alternatives (YTD)
XCEM is at 29.80% YTD. There are 2 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.00%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 36.00% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | XCEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 32.80% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | XCEM vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.59% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | XCEM vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 27.36% | — | Sep 2024 | XCEM vs EVLU | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ... | 27.29% | 1.02B | Dec 2018 | XCEM vs EMCS |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XCEM
XCEM has 25.20% 1-year volatility. There are 68 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.65% | — | Jun 2025 | XCEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.79% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | XCEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.47% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | XCEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | XCEM vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.81% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | XCEM vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XCEM
XCEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -14.46%. There are 57 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -6.72% | — | Jun 2025 | XCEM vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | XCEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | XCEM vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | XCEM vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | XCEM vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from Ameriprise Financial
The 7 most viewed Ameriprise Financial ETFs shown here include INCO, RECS, DIAL and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $6B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia India Consumer ETF | India Equities, Asia Pacific Equities | 5 | -9.64% | 227.95M | Aug 2011 | XCEM vs INCO | |
| Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | 65 | 8.84% | 5.86B | Sep 2019 | XCEM vs RECS | |
| Columbia Diversified Fixed Income Allocation ETF | Multisector Bonds | 41 | 0.62% | 440.13M | Oct 2017 | XCEM vs DIAL | |
| Columbia Multi-Sector Municipal Income ETF | Money Market | 44 | 1.68% | 595.07M | Oct 2018 | XCEM vs MUST | |
| Columbia Research Enhanced Value ETF | Large Cap Value Equities | 83 | 14.87% | 318.76M | Sep 2019 | XCEM vs REVS | |
| Columbia Emerging Markets Consumer ETF | Emerging Markets Equities | 75 | 26.20% | 335.26M | Sep 2010 | XCEM vs ECON | |
| Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income E... | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 64 | 8.13% | 7.85M | Jun 2016 | XCEM vs ESGN |
Often Compared With XCEM
Investors most often compare XCEM with KEMX, XC, EMGF. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XCEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XCEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XCEM with funds that move differently
Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XCEM.
Explore XCEM Diversifiers