ABEMX vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ABEMX (abrdn Emerging Markets Fund) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both funds - ABEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Aberdeen, while AVEM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Over the past 5 years, ABEMX returned 7.66%/yr vs 9.92%/yr for AVEM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ABEMX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABEMX achieves a 32.58% return, which is significantly higher than AVEM's 27.59% return.

ABEMX

• 1D: 2.90%
• 1M: 12.15%
• YTD: 32.58%
• 6M: 34.57%
• 1Y: 64.62%
• 3Y*: 23.07%
• 5Y*: 7.66%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

AVEM

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 8.65%
• YTD: 27.59%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 55.00%
• 3Y*: 26.07%
• 5Y*: 9.92%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	32.58%	32.43%	3.98%	6.67%	-26.23%	7.15%	27.65%	8.35%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	27.59%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	11.13%

Correlation

The correlation between ABEMX and AVEM is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2019	0.92

The correlation between ABEMX and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABEMX vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ABEMX

ABEMX Risk / Return Rank: 91
ABEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ABEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ABEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ABEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ABEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	ABEMX	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.48	2.84	+0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	3.65	+0.67
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.51	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.69	4.21	+0.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.59	16.70	+1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABEMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.48, which is comparable to the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABEMX and AVEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ABEMX	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.48	2.84	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.54	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.66	-0.28

Drawdowns

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABEMX drawdown since its inception was -54.52%, which is greater than AVEM's maximum drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABEMX and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABEMX	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.52%	-36.05%	-18.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.68%	-13.13%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.62%	-18.02%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.56%	-34.00%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.39%	+1.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.10%	-10.09%	-3.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	3.30%	+0.15%

Volatility

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) has a higher volatility of 8.95% compared to Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) at 8.33%. This indicates that ABEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABEMX	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.95%	8.33%	+0.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.50%	16.72%	-0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.08%	19.45%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.70%	18.34%	+0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.69%	20.55%	-1.86%

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABEMX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABEMX vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

ABEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than AVEM's 1.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	4.61%	6.11%	0.99%	1.42%	1.82%	22.95%	0.68%	1.85%	1.57%	1.32%	1.23%	2.47%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.98%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABEMX and AVEM in my portfolio?

ABEMX and AVEM have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ABEMX or AVEM?

ABEMX has higher volatility (8.95%) compared to AVEM (8.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABEMX dropped -54.52% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.48 vs 2.84), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.