AGEM vs. BIL

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AGEM (abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF) and BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by abrdn, while BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index. AGEM is actively managed, while BIL is passively managed. Over the past year, AGEM returned 56.44% vs 3.85% for BIL. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. AGEM charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for BIL.

Performance

AGEM vs. BIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGEM achieves a 28.39% return, which is significantly higher than BIL's 1.60% return.

AGEM

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.36%
• YTD: 28.39%
• 6M: 30.42%
• 1Y: 56.44%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BIL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.63%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 2.20%

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

AGEM vs. BIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	28.39%	29.73%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.60%	3.61%

Correlation

The correlation between AGEM and BIL is -0.10, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2025	-0.09

Return for Risk

AGEM vs. BIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

AGEM

AGEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
AGEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AGEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
AGEM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
AGEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
AGEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

AGEM vs. BIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL). 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.

	AGEM	BIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	19.63	-17.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	175.17	-172.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	88.41	-86.96
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.88	357.44	-353.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.50	2,834.34	-2,819.83

AGEM vs. BIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is lower than the BIL Sharpe Ratio of 19.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGEM and BIL, 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

AGEM vs. BIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGEM drawdown since its inception was -15.58%, which is greater than BIL's maximum drawdown of -0.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGEM and BIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGEM	BIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.58%	-0.78%	-14.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.92%	-0.01%	-13.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.09%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-0.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.82%	0.00%	-3.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-0.26%	-2.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	0.00%	+3.72%

Volatility

AGEM vs. BIL - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) has a higher volatility of 10.95% compared to SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) at 0.06%. This indicates that AGEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGEM	BIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.95%	0.06%	+10.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.56%	0.14%	+19.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.78%	0.20%	+21.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.46%	0.26%	+22.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	0.26%	+22.20%

AGEM vs. BIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGEM has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than BIL's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGEM vs. BIL - Dividend Comparison

AGEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.75%, less than BIL's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	1.75%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGEM and BIL in my portfolio?

AGEM and BIL have a correlation of -0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGEM or BIL?

AGEM has higher volatility (10.95%) compared to BIL (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGEM dropped -15.58% vs BIL's -0.78%.

Which ETF is better, AGEM or BIL?

On 1-year performance, AGEM leads with 56.44% vs 3.85% for BIL. On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGEM or BIL?

Over the 1-year period, AGEM has performed better with a 56.44% return vs 3.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGEM or BIL?

BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for AGEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGEM or BIL?

BIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 1.75% for AGEM.

What is the main difference between AGEM and BIL?

AGEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while BIL is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for AGEM and 0.14% for BIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.63 vs 2.48), 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.