GAEM vs. XEMD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

GAEM (Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF) and XEMD (BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. GAEM is actively managed, while XEMD is passively managed. Over the past year, GAEM returned 10.20% vs 8.65% for XEMD. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. GAEM charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for XEMD.

Performance

GAEM vs. XEMD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF (GAEM) and BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAEM achieves a 3.58% return, which is significantly higher than XEMD's 2.49% return.

GAEM

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.96%
• 6M: 2.59%
• YTD: 3.58%
• 1Y: 10.20%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.75%

XEMD

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -0.82%
• 6M: 1.43%
• YTD: 2.49%
• 1Y: 8.65%
• 3Y*: 10.14%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.24%

*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)
GAEM Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF	$246.87K	$265.32K	$263.25K
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	$5.44M	$11.46M	$8.01M

GAEM vs. XEMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GAEM Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF	3.58%	13.55%	3.89%
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	2.49%	13.98%	2.77%

Correlation

The correlation between GAEM and XEMD is 0.73, 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.	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2024	0.70

The correlation between GAEM and XEMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAEM vs. XEMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAEM

GAEM Risk / Return Rank: 87
GAEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
GAEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
GAEM Omega Ratio Rank: 89
GAEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
GAEM Martin Ratio Rank: 86

XEMD

XEMD Risk / Return Rank: 81
XEMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
XEMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XEMD Omega Ratio Rank: 84
XEMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XEMD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

GAEM vs. XEMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF (GAEM) and BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD). 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.

	GAEM	XEMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.88	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	2.84	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.36	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	2.53	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.42	10.95	+1.47

GAEM vs. XEMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the XEMD Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAEM and XEMD, 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

GAEM vs. XEMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAEM drawdown since its inception was -3.84%, smaller than the maximum XEMD drawdown of -10.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAEM and XEMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAEM	XEMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.84%	-10.01%	+6.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.61%	-3.52%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-0.96%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.52%	-1.23%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.82%	0.81%	+0.01%

Volatility

GAEM vs. XEMD - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF (GAEM) has a higher volatility of 1.33% compared to BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) at 0.96%. This indicates that GAEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAEM	XEMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	0.96%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.00%	3.80%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.87%	4.74%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.95%	6.80%	-1.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.95%	6.80%	-1.85%

GAEM vs. XEMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAEM has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than XEMD's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAEM vs. XEMD - Dividend Comparison

GAEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.14%, more than XEMD's 5.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GAEM Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF	7.14%	6.50%	3.78%	0.00%	0.00%
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	5.24%	6.15%	6.30%	6.19%	3.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAEM and XEMD in my portfolio?

GAEM and XEMD have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAEM or XEMD?

GAEM has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to XEMD (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAEM dropped -3.84% vs XEMD's -10.01%.

Which ETF is better, GAEM or XEMD?

On 1-year performance, GAEM leads with 10.20% vs 8.65% for XEMD. On fees, XEMD is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, XEMD has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GAEM or XEMD?

Over the 1-year period, GAEM has performed better with a 10.20% return vs 8.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GAEM or XEMD?

XEMD is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for GAEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GAEM or XEMD?

GAEM has the higher dividend yield at 7.14%, compared with 5.24% for XEMD.

What is the main difference between GAEM and XEMD?

They also come from different issuers: Simplify and BondBloxx. Their fees differ too: 0.76% for GAEM and 0.29% for XEMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GAEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 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.