EMGAX vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EMGAX (Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, EMGAX returned 9.59%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for EEM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EMGAX charges 1.43%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

EMGAX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMGAX achieves a 26.23% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 29.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EMGAX having a 9.59% annualized return and EEM not far ahead at 10.06%.

EMGAX

• 1D: 2.26%
• 1M: 11.89%
• YTD: 26.23%
• 6M: 28.88%
• 1Y: 53.44%
• 3Y*: 22.74%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

EEM

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 10.40%
• YTD: 29.41%
• 6M: 32.25%
• 1Y: 58.14%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 7.47%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

EMGAX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	26.23%	36.30%	3.38%	8.37%	-19.74%	-12.13%	20.86%	27.57%	-16.09%	36.26%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	29.41%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between EMGAX and EEM is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2003	0.89

The correlation between EMGAX and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EMGAX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMGAX

EMGAX Risk / Return Rank: 85
EMGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
EMGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EMGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EMGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 84
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

EMGAX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	EMGAX	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	2.93	+0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.01	3.75	+0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.53	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.92	4.39	-0.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.58	16.94	-2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMGAX vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMGAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.18, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMGAX and EEM, 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

	EMGAX	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.18	2.93	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.40	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.49	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.38	-0.01

Drawdowns

EMGAX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMGAX drawdown since its inception was -61.83%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMGAX and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMGAX	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.83%	-66.43%	+4.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.59%	-13.52%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.20%	-17.29%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.48%	-37.71%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.89%	-39.82%	-6.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.20%	-16.02%	-1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	3.50%	+0.15%

Volatility

EMGAX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund (EMGAX) is 7.05%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.36%. This indicates that EMGAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMGAX	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.05%	8.36%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.50%	17.36%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.29%	19.93%	-2.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.84%	18.91%	-1.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.19%	20.50%	-2.31%

EMGAX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMGAX has a 1.43% expense ratio, which is higher than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMGAX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

EMGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than EEM's 1.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.72%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
EMGAX Allspring Emerging Markets Equity Fund	1.43%	1.80%	1.06%	0.92%	0.78%	0.24%	0.06%	0.67%	0.36%	1.49%	0.67%	0.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMGAX and EEM in my portfolio?

EMGAX and EEM have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMGAX or EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to EMGAX (7.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMGAX dropped -61.83% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMGAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 2.93), 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.