EEM vs. STXE
EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - EEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) while STXE tracks the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, EEM returned 22.58%/yr vs 28.56%/yr for STXE. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EEM charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.
Performance
EEM vs. STXE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EEM achieves a 23.41% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 44.03% return.
EEM
- 1D
- -5.67%
- 1M
- 2.49%
- YTD
- 23.41%
- 6M
- 24.32%
- 1Y
- 46.62%
- 3Y*
- 22.58%
- 5Y*
- 6.54%
- 10Y*
- 9.87%
STXE
- 1D
- -6.43%
- 1M
- 6.24%
- YTD
- 44.03%
- 6M
- 45.98%
- 1Y
- 75.87%
- 3Y*
- 28.56%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EEM vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 23.41% | 33.98% | 6.49% | -0.38% |
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 44.03% | 34.23% | 2.09% | 12.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between EEM and STXE is 0.94, 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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023 | 0.86 |
The correlation between EEM and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
EEM vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank
EEM
STXE
EEM vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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.
| EEM | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.52 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.46 | 5.26 | -1.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.70 | 20.32 | -7.63 |
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Drawdowns
EEM vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EEM drawdown since its inception was -66.43%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -18.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEM and STXE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EEM | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.43% | -18.92% | -47.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.52% | -14.51% | +0.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.29% | -18.92% | +1.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.49% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.82% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.67% | -6.43% | +0.76% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.99% | -3.72% | -12.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.68% | 3.74% | -0.06% |
Volatility
EEM vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is 12.59%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 15.52%. This indicates that EEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EEM | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.59% | 15.52% | -2.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.73% | 24.95% | -4.22% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.77% | 26.68% | -3.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.55% | 19.08% | +0.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.67% | 19.08% | +1.59% |
EEM vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison
EEM has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
EEM vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison
EEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than STXE's 1.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 1.66% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 1.87% | 2.66% | 3.22% | 1.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, EEM and STXE 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.
STXE has higher volatility (15.52%) compared to EEM (12.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEM dropped -66.43% vs STXE's -18.92%.
On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 28.56% vs 22.58% for EEM. On fees, STXE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EEM has been the lower-risk option at 12.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 28.56% return vs 22.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
STXE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.
STXE has the higher dividend yield at 1.87%, compared with 1.66% for EEM.
EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for EEM and 0.32% for STXE.
STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.06), 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.
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