APHEX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

APHEX (Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - APHEX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Artisan, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, APHEX returned 11.35%/yr vs 8.97%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. APHEX charges 1.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

APHEX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund (APHEX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, APHEX achieves a 20.73% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 10.55% return. Over the past 10 years, APHEX has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 11.35%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 8.97% annualized return.

APHEX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 3.26%
• YTD: 20.73%
• 6M: 21.43%
• 1Y: 46.57%
• 3Y*: 24.13%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

VWO

• 1D: -3.07%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 10.55%
• 6M: 10.67%
• 1Y: 27.03%
• 3Y*: 17.42%
• 5Y*: 5.09%
• 10Y*: 8.97%

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

APHEX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
APHEX Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund	20.73%	42.86%	7.10%	18.50%	-28.37%	-0.46%	20.97%	19.96%	-15.46%	39.93%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	10.55%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between APHEX and VWO is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2006	0.86

The correlation between APHEX and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

APHEX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

APHEX

APHEX Risk / Return Rank: 76
APHEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
APHEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
APHEX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
APHEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
APHEX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

APHEX vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund (APHEX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	APHEX	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	1.60	+1.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	2.22	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.30	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	2.43	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.89	8.56	+3.33

APHEX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current APHEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of APHEX and VWO, 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

APHEX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum APHEX drawdown since its inception was -66.36%, roughly equal to the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for APHEX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	APHEX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.36%	-67.68%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.48%	-11.17%	-3.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.59%	-17.37%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.76%	-32.60%	-9.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.20%	-36.39%	-6.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-3.07%	+2.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.79%	-15.79%	-6.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.97%	3.17%	+0.80%

Volatility

APHEX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund (APHEX) has a higher volatility of 7.94% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 7.37%. This indicates that APHEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	APHEX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.94%	7.37%	+0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.52%	14.62%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.03%	16.94%	+1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.57%	17.58%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.18%	19.18%	-1.00%

APHEX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

APHEX has a 1.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

APHEX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

APHEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, less than VWO's 2.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
APHEX Artisan Sustainable Emerging Markets Fund	1.34%	1.62%	1.23%	0.49%	1.05%	0.87%	1.23%	1.04%	0.57%	0.47%	0.75%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.33%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both APHEX and VWO in my portfolio?

APHEX and VWO have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, APHEX or VWO?

APHEX has higher volatility (7.94%) compared to VWO (7.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, APHEX dropped -66.36% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

APHEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.60), 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.