EMCS vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EMCS (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EMCS tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMCS returned 9.04%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for SPEM. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. EMCS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

EMCS vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMCS achieves a 38.43% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 14.64% return.

EMCS

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 12.26%
• YTD: 38.43%
• 6M: 40.42%
• 1Y: 66.57%
• 3Y*: 29.17%
• 5Y*: 9.04%
• 10Y*: —

SPEM

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 14.64%
• 6M: 15.36%
• 1Y: 33.19%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: 6.53%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

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

EMCS vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	38.43%	38.71%	10.12%	5.68%	-23.58%	-2.02%	19.72%	19.54%	-1.41%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	14.64%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-3.04%

Correlation

The correlation between EMCS and SPEM is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2018	0.96

The correlation between EMCS and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

EMCS vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMCS	SPEM
Technology	50.7%	32.1%
Financial Services	26.0%	19.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.1%	9.6%
Communication Services	7.4%	6.7%
Basic Materials	2.6%	8.0%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%
Industrials	1.2%	8.3%
Energy	1.2%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	0.0%	3.6%
Healthcare	0.0%	3.7%
Utilities	0.0%	2.8%

Return for Risk

EMCS vs. SPEM — 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: 80
EMCS Omega Ratio Rank: 85
EMCS Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
EMCS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 61
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.

	EMCS	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	1.99	+0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.70	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.37	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.67	2.93	+1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.33	10.51	+6.82

EMCS vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMCS Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMCS and SPEM, 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

EMCS vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMCS drawdown since its inception was -44.86%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMCS and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMCS	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.86%	-64.41%	+19.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.32%	-11.36%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.73%	-17.62%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.06%	-31.75%	-10.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.52%	-14.72%	-1.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	3.16%	+0.69%

Volatility

EMCS vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF (EMCS) has a higher volatility of 12.36% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 6.73%. This indicates that EMCS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMCS	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.36%	6.73%	+5.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.11%	14.43%	+7.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.67%	16.77%	+7.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.16%	17.30%	+3.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.93%	18.84%	+3.09%

EMCS vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMCS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM'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

EMCS vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

EMCS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.37%, less than SPEM's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMCS Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Selection ETF	1.37%	1.66%	0.67%	3.07%	2.26%	1.46%	1.40%	3.56%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	3.44%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMCS and SPEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, EMCS and SPEM 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.

Which is riskier, EMCS or SPEM?

EMCS has higher volatility (12.36%) compared to SPEM (6.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMCS dropped -44.86% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, EMCS or SPEM?

On 5-year performance, EMCS leads with 9.04% vs 6.53% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 6.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMCS or SPEM?

Over the 5-year period, EMCS has performed better with a 9.04% return vs 6.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMCS or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for EMCS.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 1.37% for EMCS.

What is the main difference between EMCS and SPEM?

EMCS tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Climate Select Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging BMI Index. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EMCS and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMCS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.99), 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.