EMLC vs. SMLV
EMLC (VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) and SMLV (SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMLC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index, while SMLV is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMLC returned 2.28%/yr vs 10.74%/yr for SMLV. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMLC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for SMLV.
Performance
EMLC vs. SMLV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMLC achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than SMLV's 18.33% return. Over the past 10 years, EMLC has underperformed SMLV with an annualized return of 2.28%, while SMLV has yielded a comparatively higher 10.74% annualized return.
EMLC
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 0.58%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 2.50%
- 1Y
- 8.78%
- 3Y*
- 6.63%
- 5Y*
- 1.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.28%
SMLV
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 7.09%
- YTD
- 18.33%
- 6M
- 15.42%
- 1Y
- 26.61%
- 3Y*
- 16.39%
- 5Y*
- 8.66%
- 10Y*
- 10.74%
EMLC vs. SMLV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 1.40% | 18.81% | -2.97% | 11.18% | -10.58% | -9.72% | 3.08% | 9.79% | -7.57% | 13.84% |
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF | 18.33% | 5.66% | 16.77% | 7.52% | -7.69% | 27.67% | -1.55% | 24.10% | -6.62% | 5.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMLC and SMLV is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2013 | 0.34 |
The correlation between EMLC and SMLV shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (10 years) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EMLC vs. SMLV — Risk / Return Rank
EMLC
SMLV
EMLC vs. SMLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) and SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV). 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.
| EMLC | SMLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.66 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.31 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.42 | 3.64 | -2.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.75 | 10.07 | -5.33 |
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Drawdowns
EMLC vs. SMLV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMLC drawdown since its inception was -32.43%, smaller than the maximum SMLV drawdown of -42.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMLC and SMLV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMLC | SMLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.43% | -42.45% | +10.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -7.34% | +1.15% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.15% | -20.40% | +11.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.70% | -20.40% | -4.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.47% | -42.45% | +15.98% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.83% | 0.00% | -3.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.35% | -5.45% | -8.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.86% | 2.66% | -0.80% |
Volatility
EMLC vs. SMLV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) is 2.44%, while SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF (SMLV) has a volatility of 3.80%. This indicates that EMLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMLC | SMLV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.44% | 3.80% | -1.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.17% | 9.81% | -3.64% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.06% | 15.74% | -8.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.14% | 18.29% | -9.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.04% | 20.95% | -10.91% |
EMLC vs. SMLV - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMLC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SMLV's 0.12% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMLC vs. SMLV - Dividend Comparison
EMLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.16%, more than SMLV's 2.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.16% | 5.91% | 6.55% | 5.97% | 5.54% | 5.25% | 4.90% | 6.25% | 6.50% | 5.34% | 5.32% | 6.25% |
SMLV SPDR SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index ETF | 2.24% | 2.74% | 2.68% | 2.68% | 2.40% | 2.12% | 2.47% | 2.62% | 3.15% | 7.92% | 3.04% | 2.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMLC and SMLV have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SMLV has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to EMLC (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMLC dropped -32.43% vs SMLV's -42.45%.
On 10-year performance, SMLV leads with 10.74% vs 2.28% for EMLC. On fees, SMLV is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, EMLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SMLV has performed better with a 10.74% return vs 2.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SMLV is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for EMLC.
EMLC has the higher dividend yield at 6.16%, compared with 2.24% for SMLV.
EMLC is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while SMLV is Volatility Hedged Equity. EMLC tracks J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index, while SMLV tracks SSGA US Small Cap Low Volatility Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for EMLC and 0.12% for SMLV.
SMLV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.25), 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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