EMCS vs. NUEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMCS (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF) and NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EMCS tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index while NUEM tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMCS returned 7.95%/yr vs 5.39%/yr for NUEM. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMCS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for NUEM.

Performance

EMCS vs. NUEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMCS achieves a 33.83% return, which is significantly higher than NUEM's 19.14% return.

EMCS

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: 13.15%
• YTD: 33.83%
• 6M: 37.78%
• 1Y: 64.32%
• 3Y*: 27.65%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: —

NUEM

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 21.09%
• 1Y: 42.42%
• 3Y*: 19.13%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

EMCS vs. NUEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	33.83%	38.71%	10.12%	5.68%	-23.58%	-2.02%	19.72%	19.54%	-0.59%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	19.14%	27.12%	9.73%	8.57%	-19.74%	-1.08%	24.09%	16.67%	-1.99%

Correlation

The correlation between EMCS and NUEM is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2018	0.91

The correlation between EMCS and NUEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMCS vs. NUEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMCS	NUEM
Technology	44.5%	31.5%
Financial Services	29.4%	18.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	11.3%
Communication Services	8.4%	8.2%
Basic Materials	2.6%	8.5%
Industrials	2.5%	11.9%
Energy	1.6%	3.3%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.7%
Utilities	0.8%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	1.6%
Healthcare	0.0%	2.9%

Return for Risk

EMCS vs. NUEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMCS

EMCS Risk / Return Rank: 85
EMCS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EMCS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EMCS Omega Ratio Rank: 85
EMCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EMCS Martin Ratio Rank: 85

NUEM

NUEM Risk / Return Rank: 70
NUEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NUEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
NUEM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
NUEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NUEM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

EMCS vs. NUEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM). 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.

	EMCS	NUEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.89	2.28	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.08	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.42	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.51	3.69	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.47	12.95	+4.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMCS vs. NUEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMCS Sharpe Ratio is 2.89, which is comparable to the NUEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMCS and NUEM, 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

	EMCS	NUEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.89	2.28	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.27	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.41	+0.14

Drawdowns

EMCS vs. NUEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMCS drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, which is greater than NUEM's maximum drawdown of -39.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMCS and NUEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMCS	NUEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-39.48%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.32%	-11.56%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.73%	-17.58%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.06%	-38.10%	-3.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	-1.30%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.61%	-15.02%	-1.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	3.28%	+0.41%

Volatility

EMCS vs. NUEM - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) has a higher volatility of 9.86% compared to Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) at 6.76%. This indicates that EMCS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMCS	NUEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.86%	6.76%	+3.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.42%	15.83%	+3.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.37%	18.68%	+3.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	19.72%	+0.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.65%	20.18%	+1.47%

EMCS vs. NUEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMCS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than NUEM's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMCS vs. NUEM - Dividend Comparison

EMCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.24%, less than NUEM's 3.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	1.24%	1.66%	0.67%	3.07%	2.26%	1.46%	1.40%	3.56%	0.00%	0.00%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	3.00%	3.58%	1.95%	2.37%	1.90%	2.45%	1.26%	1.98%	2.05%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMCS and NUEM in my portfolio?

EMCS and NUEM have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMCS or NUEM?

EMCS has higher volatility (9.86%) compared to NUEM (6.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMCS dropped -44.86% vs NUEM's -39.48%.

Which ETF is better, EMCS or NUEM?

On 5-year performance, EMCS leads with 7.95% vs 5.39% for NUEM. On fees, EMCS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, NUEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMCS or NUEM?

Over the 5-year period, EMCS has performed better with a 7.95% return vs 5.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMCS or NUEM?

EMCS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMCS or NUEM?

NUEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.00%, compared with 1.24% for EMCS.

What is the main difference between EMCS and NUEM?

EMCS tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index, while NUEM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EMCS and 0.35% for NUEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.89 vs 2.28), 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.