EMSQX vs. VEMIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

EMSQX (Shelton Emerging Markets Fund) and VEMIX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, EMSQX returned 8.73%/yr vs 5.81%/yr for VEMIX. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EMSQX charges 1.77%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VEMIX.

Performance

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shelton Emerging Markets Fund (EMSQX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMSQX achieves a 10.61% return, which is significantly higher than VEMIX's 7.82% return.

EMSQX

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -6.12%
• 6M: 1.10%
• YTD: 10.61%
• 1Y: 27.19%
• 3Y*: 14.17%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.82%

VEMIX

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: 2.68%
• YTD: 7.82%
• 1Y: 19.98%
• 3Y*: 13.72%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: 7.61%
• ALL TIME*: 7.24%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EMSQX Shelton Emerging Markets Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VEMIX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EMSQX Shelton Emerging Markets Fund	10.61%	32.98%	3.45%	15.43%	-14.33%	0.77%	44.90%
VEMIX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.82%	24.80%	11.38%	8.85%	-17.75%	0.91%	27.69%

Correlation

The correlation between EMSQX and VEMIX is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2020	0.78

The correlation between EMSQX and VEMIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EMSQX vs. VEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EMSQX

EMSQX Risk / Return Rank: 39
EMSQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
EMSQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
EMSQX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
EMSQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
EMSQX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VEMIX

VEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
VEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shelton Emerging Markets Fund (EMSQX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX). 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.

	EMSQX	VEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.15	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	1.64	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.21	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	1.66	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.83	5.53	+0.30

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMSQX Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the VEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMSQX and VEMIX, 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

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMSQX drawdown since its inception was -29.96%, smaller than the maximum VEMIX drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMSQX and VEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMSQX	VEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.96%	-66.43%	+36.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.60%	-11.05%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-15.77%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.29%	-30.68%	+3.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.04%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.50%	-5.42%	-6.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.94%	-15.91%	+7.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.32%	3.31%	+1.01%

Volatility

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Volatility Comparison

Shelton Emerging Markets Fund (EMSQX) has a higher volatility of 7.57% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX) at 5.22%. This indicates that EMSQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMSQX	VEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.57%	5.22%	+2.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.36%	13.82%	+4.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.14%	16.00%	+5.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	15.59%	+1.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.20%	16.50%	+0.70%

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMSQX has a 1.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMIX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMSQX vs. VEMIX - Dividend Comparison

EMSQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.79%, more than VEMIX's 2.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMSQX Shelton Emerging Markets Fund	14.79%	16.36%	7.85%	10.06%	1.52%	1.94%	0.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEMIX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.38%	2.77%	3.17%	3.51%	4.09%	2.61%	1.90%	3.23%	2.89%	2.33%	2.55%	2.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMSQX and VEMIX in my portfolio?

EMSQX and VEMIX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMSQX or VEMIX?

EMSQX has higher volatility (7.57%) compared to VEMIX (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMSQX dropped -29.96% vs VEMIX's -66.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMSQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 1.15), 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.