EPEM vs. DEM

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

EPEM (Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - EPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while DEM is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index. EPEM is actively managed, while DEM is passively managed. Over the past year, EPEM returned 44.76% vs 24.54% for DEM. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EPEM charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for DEM.

Performance

EPEM vs. DEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EPEM) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPEM achieves a 26.55% return, which is significantly higher than DEM's 18.54% return.

EPEM

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 14.85%
• YTD: 26.55%
• 1Y: 44.76%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 43.82%

DEM

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 0.07%
• 6M: 10.98%
• YTD: 18.54%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 10.33%
• 10Y*: 9.13%
• ALL TIME*: 4.99%

*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)
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	$21.83M	$15.09M	$12.97M
EPEM Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$3.43K	$12.08K	$5.33K

EPEM vs. DEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EPEM Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.55%	20.73%
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	18.54%	9.75%

Correlation

The correlation between EPEM and DEM is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	0.84

The correlation between EPEM and DEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

EPEM vs. DEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPEM	DEM
Technology	42.3%	17.5%
Financial Services	23.9%	21.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	5.8%
Basic Materials	5.4%	3.7%
Communication Services	5.3%	3.0%
Energy	3.1%	6.2%
Industrials	2.7%	8.9%
Healthcare	1.7%	0.6%
Real Estate	1.1%	2.9%
Utilities	-	3.0%

Return for Risk

EPEM vs. DEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPEM

EPEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
EPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
EPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 77
EPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DEM

DEM Risk / Return Rank: 65
DEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
DEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
DEM Omega Ratio Rank: 59
DEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DEM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

EPEM vs. DEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EPEM) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM). 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.

	EPEM	DEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.64	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.29	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.30	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.12	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.63	9.38	+1.25

EPEM vs. DEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the DEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPEM and DEM, 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

EPEM vs. DEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPEM drawdown since its inception was -13.27%, smaller than the maximum DEM drawdown of -51.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPEM and DEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPEM	DEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.27%	-51.85%	+38.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.27%	-7.89%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-15.64%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.18%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.96%	-2.36%	-1.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.49%	-12.81%	+10.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	2.62%	+1.60%

Volatility

EPEM vs. DEM - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.57% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) at 4.62%. This indicates that EPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPEM	DEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.57%	4.62%	+1.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.79%	13.24%	+6.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.35%	15.03%	+7.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.16%	15.62%	+5.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.16%	17.86%	+3.30%

EPEM vs. DEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPEM has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than DEM's 0.63% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPEM vs. DEM - Dividend Comparison

EPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, less than DEM's 4.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	4.13%	4.88%	5.24%	5.49%	8.62%	5.87%	4.21%	4.78%	4.47%	3.67%	3.63%	5.21%
EPEM Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.90%	3.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPEM and DEM in my portfolio?

EPEM and DEM have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPEM or DEM?

EPEM has higher volatility (6.57%) compared to DEM (4.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPEM dropped -13.27% vs DEM's -51.85%.

Which ETF is better, EPEM or DEM?

On 1-year performance, EPEM leads with 44.76% vs 24.54% for DEM. On fees, DEM is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, DEM has been the lower-risk option at 4.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPEM or DEM?

Over the 1-year period, EPEM has performed better with a 44.76% return vs 24.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPEM or DEM?

DEM is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for EPEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPEM or DEM?

DEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.13%, compared with 2.90% for EPEM.

What is the main difference between EPEM and DEM?

EPEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DEM is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for EPEM and 0.63% for DEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.64), 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.