AVXC vs. HEEM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AVXC (Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF) and HEEM (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. AVXC is actively managed, while HEEM is passively managed. Over the past year, AVXC returned 56.20% vs 55.61% for HEEM. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVXC charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for HEEM.

Performance

AVXC vs. HEEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AVXC achieves a 31.52% return, which is significantly higher than HEEM's 26.06% return.

AVXC

• 1D: -5.67%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 31.52%
• 6M: 32.82%
• 1Y: 56.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HEEM

• 1D: -5.40%
• 1M: 3.12%
• YTD: 26.06%
• 6M: 26.50%
• 1Y: 55.61%
• 3Y*: 25.80%
• 5Y*: 9.77%
• 10Y*: 11.34%

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

AVXC vs. HEEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	31.52%	31.45%	-1.26%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.06%	34.02%	8.53%

Correlation

The correlation between AVXC and HEEM is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2024	0.82

The correlation between AVXC and HEEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

AVXC vs. HEEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AVXC	HEEM
Technology	34.2%	43.9%
Financial Services	18.9%	18.2%
Industrials	8.7%	5.9%
Basic Materials	7.3%	5.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.4%	7.7%
Energy	3.7%	3.3%
Communication Services	3.5%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	2.6%
Utilities	2.4%	1.9%
Healthcare	2.1%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.3%	0.9%

Return for Risk

AVXC vs. HEEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AVXC

AVXC Risk / Return Rank: 80
AVXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AVXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
AVXC Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AVXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
AVXC Martin Ratio Rank: 82

HEEM

HEEM Risk / Return Rank: 88
HEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
HEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
HEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
HEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
HEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

AVXC vs. HEEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). 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.

	AVXC	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.72	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.41	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.52	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.02	5.16	-1.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.56	19.26	-3.70

AVXC vs. HEEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the HEEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVXC and HEEM, 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

AVXC vs. HEEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVXC drawdown since its inception was -20.44%, smaller than the maximum HEEM drawdown of -33.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVXC and HEEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVXC	HEEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.44%	-33.53%	+13.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.04%	-10.83%	-3.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.60%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.67%	-5.40%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-11.10%	+7.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	2.90%	+0.72%

Volatility

AVXC vs. HEEM - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF (AVXC) has a higher volatility of 13.12% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) at 11.87%. This indicates that AVXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVXC	HEEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.12%	11.87%	+1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.15%	18.67%	+2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.03%	20.56%	+2.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.83%	17.64%	+2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.83%	18.20%	+1.63%

AVXC vs. HEEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVXC has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than HEEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVXC vs. HEEM - Dividend Comparison

AVXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.06%, less than HEEM's 3.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVXC Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF	2.06%	1.97%	1.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	3.16%	3.98%	2.38%	2.75%	7.49%	1.93%	1.49%	3.04%	2.37%	2.05%	1.84%	6.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVXC and HEEM in my portfolio?

AVXC and HEEM have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVXC or HEEM?

AVXC has higher volatility (13.12%) compared to HEEM (11.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVXC dropped -20.44% vs HEEM's -33.53%.

Which ETF is better, AVXC or HEEM?

On 1-year performance, AVXC leads with 56.20% vs 55.61% for HEEM. On fees, AVXC is cheaper at 0.33% per year. On volatility, HEEM has been the lower-risk option at 11.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AVXC or HEEM?

Over the 1-year period, AVXC has performed better with a 56.20% return vs 55.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AVXC or HEEM?

AVXC is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for HEEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AVXC or HEEM?

HEEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.16%, compared with 2.06% for AVXC.

What is the main difference between AVXC and HEEM?

They also come from different issuers: Avantis and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for AVXC and 0.72% for HEEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 2.45), 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.