EFFE vs. HEEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFFE (Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF) and HEEM (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. EFFE is actively managed, while HEEM is passively managed. Over the past year, EFFE returned 44.45% vs 63.91% for HEEM. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EFFE charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for HEEM.

Performance

EFFE vs. HEEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EFFE having a 29.22% return and HEEM slightly higher at 30.24%.

EFFE

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 17.03%
• YTD: 29.22%
• 6M: 28.14%
• 1Y: 44.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HEEM

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 10.04%
• YTD: 30.24%
• 6M: 32.57%
• 1Y: 63.91%
• 3Y*: 27.05%
• 5Y*: 10.42%
• 10Y*: 11.42%

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

EFFE vs. HEEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EFFE Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF	29.22%	22.42%	-0.84%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	30.24%	34.02%	-0.10%

Correlation

The correlation between EFFE and HEEM is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2024	0.83

The correlation between EFFE and HEEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EFFE vs. HEEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFFE

EFFE Risk / Return Rank: 68
EFFE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
EFFE Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
EFFE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
EFFE Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
EFFE Martin Ratio Rank: 69

HEEM

HEEM Risk / Return Rank: 93
HEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
HEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
HEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 94
HEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
HEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

EFFE vs. HEEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) 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.

	EFFE	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	3.64	-1.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.96	4.70	-1.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.68	-0.27
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	5.93	-2.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.62	23.76	-11.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFFE vs. HEEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFFE Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is lower than the HEEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFFE 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EFFE	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	3.64	-1.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.85	0.49	+1.36

Drawdowns

EFFE vs. HEEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFFE drawdown since its inception was -13.75%, smaller than the maximum HEEM drawdown of -33.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFFE and HEEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFFE	HEEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.75%	-33.53%	+19.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.75%	-10.83%	-2.92%
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	-0.18%	-0.64%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.98%	-11.14%	+9.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	2.70%	+0.83%

Volatility

EFFE vs. HEEM - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF (EFFE) has a higher volatility of 9.71% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) at 7.57%. This indicates that EFFE'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

	EFFE	HEEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.71%	7.57%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.67%	15.37%	+2.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.09%	17.67%	+2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.91%	17.01%	+2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.91%	17.97%	+1.94%

EFFE vs. HEEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFFE has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than HEEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFFE vs. HEEM - Dividend Comparison

EFFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, more than HEEM's 3.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFFE Harbor Osmosis Emerging Markets Resource Efficient ETF	3.63%	4.69%	0.00%	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	3.05%	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 EFFE and HEEM in my portfolio?

EFFE and HEEM have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFFE or HEEM?

EFFE has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to HEEM (7.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFFE dropped -13.75% vs HEEM's -33.53%.

Which ETF is better, EFFE or HEEM?

On 1-year performance, HEEM leads with 63.91% vs 44.45% for EFFE. On fees, EFFE is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, HEEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFFE or HEEM?

Over the 1-year period, HEEM has performed better with a 63.91% return vs 44.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFFE or HEEM?

EFFE is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for HEEM.

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

EFFE has the higher dividend yield at 3.63%, compared with 3.05% for HEEM.

What is the main difference between EFFE and HEEM?

They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for EFFE and 0.72% for HEEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.64 vs 2.22), 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.