ABEMX vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

ABEMX (abrdn Emerging Markets Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - ABEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Aberdeen, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, ABEMX returned 9.28%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for SPY. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ABEMX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

ABEMX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABEMX achieves a 25.99% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.45% return. Over the past 10 years, ABEMX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.28%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.08% annualized return.

ABEMX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -1.80%
• 6M: 19.07%
• YTD: 25.99%
• 1Y: 49.30%
• 3Y*: 20.66%
• 5Y*: 7.16%
• 10Y*: 9.28%

SPY

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 10.45%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

ABEMX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	25.99%	32.43%	3.98%	6.67%	-26.23%	7.15%	27.65%	20.42%	-14.65%	30.25%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.45%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ABEMX and SPY is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2007	0.72

The correlation between ABEMX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABEMX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

ABEMX

ABEMX Risk / Return Rank: 82
ABEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ABEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
ABEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ABEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
ABEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ABEMX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	1.71	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.37	+0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.31	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	2.43	+1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.64	10.57	+2.06

ABEMX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABEMX and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ABEMX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABEMX drawdown since its inception was -54.52%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABEMX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABEMX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.52%	-55.19%	+0.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.68%	-8.88%	-4.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.62%	-18.76%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.56%	-24.50%	-12.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.44%	-33.72%	-4.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.19%	-1.12%	-5.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.05%	-9.02%	-4.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.87%	2.03%	+1.84%

Volatility

ABEMX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) has a higher volatility of 11.31% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.26%. This indicates that ABEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABEMX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.31%	4.26%	+7.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.05%	10.01%	+11.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.94%	12.60%	+10.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.53%	17.17%	+2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.01%	17.93%	+1.08%

ABEMX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABEMX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABEMX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

ABEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.85%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	4.85%	6.11%	0.99%	1.42%	1.82%	22.95%	0.68%	1.85%	1.57%	1.32%	1.23%	2.47%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABEMX and SPY in my portfolio?

ABEMX and SPY have a correlation of 0.70, 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 SPY?

ABEMX has higher volatility (11.31%) compared to SPY (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABEMX dropped -54.52% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.71), 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.