BKEM vs. VEXC

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

BKEM (BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - BKEM tracks the Morningstar Emerging Markets Large Cap Index while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BKEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.

Performance

BKEM vs. VEXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BKEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKEM achieves a 22.14% return, which is significantly higher than VEXC's 19.19% return.

BKEM

• 1D: 1.71%
• 1M: -3.22%
• 6M: 16.09%
• YTD: 22.14%
• 1Y: 38.83%
• 3Y*: 19.62%
• 5Y*: 6.67%
• 10Y*: —

VEXC

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 15.63%
• YTD: 19.19%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BKEM vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BKEM BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF	22.14%	2.37%
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	19.19%	4.50%

Correlation

The correlation between BKEM and VEXC is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2025	0.88

Return for Risk

BKEM vs. VEXC — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKEM

BKEM Risk / Return Rank: 67
BKEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
BKEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
BKEM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
BKEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
BKEM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VEXC

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

BKEM vs. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BKEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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.

	BKEM	VEXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.70	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	—	—

Drawdowns

BKEM vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKEM drawdown since its inception was -39.48%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKEM and VEXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKEM	VEXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.48%	-12.42%	-27.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.51%	-4.51%	-3.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.80%	-2.34%	-13.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BKEM	VEXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.25%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.99%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.93%	20.15%	+2.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.51%	20.15%	-0.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.65%	20.15%	-0.50%

BKEM vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BKEM vs. VEXC - Dividend Comparison

BKEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, more than VEXC's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BKEM BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.92%	2.25%	2.76%	3.02%	3.15%	2.22%	1.78%
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	1.44%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKEM and VEXC in my portfolio?

BKEM and VEXC have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, BKEM or VEXC?

On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKEM or VEXC?

VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for BKEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKEM or VEXC?

BKEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.92%, compared with 1.44% for VEXC.

What is the main difference between BKEM and VEXC?

BKEM tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Large Cap Index, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: BNY Mellon and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for BKEM and 0.07% for VEXC.