EWX vs. EMXC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EWX (SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF) and EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EWX tracks the S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index while EMXC tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EWX returned 7.18%/yr vs 12.47%/yr for EMXC. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EWX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EMXC.

Performance

EWX vs. EMXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWX achieves a 14.25% return, which is significantly lower than EMXC's 39.90% return.

EWX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: 14.25%
• 6M: 16.49%
• 1Y: 27.75%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 7.18%
• 10Y*: 9.70%

EMXC

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 8.45%
• YTD: 39.90%
• 6M: 45.10%
• 1Y: 73.97%
• 3Y*: 28.52%
• 5Y*: 12.47%
• 10Y*: —

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

EWX vs. EMXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	14.25%	15.46%	6.81%	18.13%	-15.00%	18.15%	14.84%	15.59%	-18.75%	9.56%
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	39.90%	35.14%	2.68%	18.96%	-19.56%	8.54%	12.76%	15.80%	-12.96%	7.01%

Correlation

The correlation between EWX and EMXC is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2017	0.80

The correlation between EWX and EMXC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWX vs. EMXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWX	EMXC
Technology	16.0%	45.0%
Industrials	9.8%	8.3%
Basic Materials	6.0%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.5%	4.5%
Financial Services	4.7%	19.6%
Healthcare	3.6%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.0%
Energy	2.0%	4.2%
Utilities	1.2%	2.3%
Communication Services	0.9%	3.4%

Return for Risk

EWX vs. EMXC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWX

EWX Risk / Return Rank: 60
EWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
EWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
EWX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
EWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
EWX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

EMXC

EMXC Risk / Return Rank: 91
EMXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
EMXC Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EMXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EMXC Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

EWX vs. EMXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). 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.

	EWX	EMXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	3.42	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	4.21	-1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.60	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	5.16	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.05	20.85	-9.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWX vs. EMXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is lower than the EMXC Sharpe Ratio of 3.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWX and EMXC, 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

	EWX	EMXC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	3.42	-1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.72	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.54	-0.32

Drawdowns

EWX vs. EMXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWX drawdown since its inception was -63.90%, which is greater than EMXC's maximum drawdown of -42.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWX and EMXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWX	EMXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.90%	-42.81%	-21.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.98%	-14.41%	+6.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.37%	-19.12%	-2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.67%	-28.91%	+4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.11%	-2.27%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.17%	-10.19%	-2.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.56%	-1.04%

Volatility

EWX vs. EMXC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is 5.06%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) has a volatility of 9.83%. This indicates that EWX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWX	EMXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.06%	9.83%	-4.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.23%	19.41%	-7.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.86%	21.75%	-6.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.20%	17.45%	-2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.14%	19.82%	-2.68%

EWX vs. EMXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than EMXC's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWX vs. EMXC - Dividend Comparison

EWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, more than EMXC's 2.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	2.01%	2.82%	2.69%	1.83%	2.85%	1.78%	1.45%	3.25%	2.63%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	2.54%	2.91%	2.90%	2.32%	3.00%	2.77%	2.24%	2.73%	3.26%	2.30%	2.46%	3.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWX and EMXC in my portfolio?

EWX and EMXC have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWX or EMXC?

EMXC has higher volatility (9.83%) compared to EWX (5.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWX dropped -63.90% vs EMXC's -42.81%.

Which ETF is better, EWX or EMXC?

On 5-year performance, EMXC leads with 12.47% vs 7.18% for EWX. On fees, EMXC is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWX has been the lower-risk option at 5.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWX or EMXC?

Over the 5-year period, EMXC has performed better with a 12.47% return vs 7.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWX or EMXC?

EMXC is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for EWX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWX or EMXC?

EWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 2.01% for EMXC.

What is the main difference between EWX and EMXC?

EWX tracks S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index, while EMXC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EWX and 0.49% for EMXC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.42 vs 1.88), 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.