AGEM vs. EMXC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AGEM (abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF) and EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. AGEM is actively managed, while EMXC is passively managed. Over the past year, AGEM returned 63.11% vs 77.94% for EMXC. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AGEM charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EMXC.

Performance

AGEM vs. EMXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGEM achieves a 31.54% return, which is significantly lower than EMXC's 41.72% return.

AGEM

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: 8.91%
• YTD: 31.54%
• 6M: 33.66%
• 1Y: 63.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EMXC

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 12.61%
• YTD: 41.72%
• 6M: 46.94%
• 1Y: 77.94%
• 3Y*: 29.08%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

AGEM vs. EMXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	31.54%	29.81%
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	41.72%	30.52%

Correlation

The correlation between AGEM and EMXC is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2025	0.91

The correlation between AGEM and EMXC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AGEM vs. EMXC — Risk / Return Rank

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

AGEM

AGEM Risk / Return Rank: 87
AGEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
AGEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
AGEM Omega Ratio Rank: 88
AGEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AGEM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

EMXC

EMXC Risk / Return Rank: 91
EMXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EMXC Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EMXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
EMXC Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. EMXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). 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.

	AGEM	EMXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	3.61	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	4.39	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.64	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	5.44	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	21.99	-4.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AGEM vs. EMXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGEM Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is comparable to the EMXC Sharpe Ratio of 3.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGEM and EMXC, 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

	AGEM	EMXC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15	3.61	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.41	0.55	+1.86

Drawdowns

AGEM vs. EMXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGEM drawdown since its inception was -15.58%, smaller than the maximum EMXC drawdown of -42.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGEM and EMXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGEM	EMXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.58%	-42.81%	+27.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.92%	-14.41%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.12%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-1.00%	-0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-10.19%	+7.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	3.56%	0.00%

Volatility

AGEM vs. EMXC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) is 9.15%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) has a volatility of 9.88%. This indicates that AGEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGEM	EMXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.15%	9.88%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.67%	19.34%	-1.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.15%	21.70%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	17.45%	+4.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	19.82%	+1.69%

AGEM vs. EMXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGEM has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than EMXC's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGEM vs. EMXC - Dividend Comparison

AGEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than EMXC's 1.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	1.71%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	1.99%	2.82%	2.69%	1.83%	2.85%	1.78%	1.45%	3.25%	2.63%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGEM and EMXC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, AGEM and EMXC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AGEM or EMXC?

EMXC has higher volatility (9.88%) compared to AGEM (9.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGEM dropped -15.58% vs EMXC's -42.81%.

Which ETF is better, AGEM or EMXC?

On 1-year performance, EMXC leads with 77.94% vs 63.11% for AGEM. On fees, EMXC is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, AGEM has been the lower-risk option at 9.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGEM or EMXC?

Over the 1-year period, EMXC has performed better with a 77.94% return vs 63.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGEM or EMXC?

EMXC is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for AGEM.

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

EMXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 1.71% for AGEM.

What is the main difference between AGEM and EMXC?

They also come from different issuers: abrdn and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for AGEM and 0.49% for EMXC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 3.15), 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.