GEM vs. VEXC
GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - GEM tracks the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.
Performance
GEM vs. VEXC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GEM achieves a 26.12% return, which is significantly higher than VEXC's 20.48% return.
GEM
- 1D
- -1.13%
- 1M
- 6.24%
- YTD
- 26.12%
- 6M
- 29.03%
- 1Y
- 50.97%
- 3Y*
- 23.48%
- 5Y*
- 7.67%
- 10Y*
- 9.79%
VEXC
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 3.69%
- YTD
- 20.48%
- 6M
- 23.73%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
GEM vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 26.12% | 3.20% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 20.48% | 4.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between GEM and VEXC is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2025 | 0.92 |
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Return for Risk
GEM vs. VEXC — Risk / Return Rank
GEM
VEXC
GEM vs. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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.
| GEM | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.80 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.69 | — | — |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GEM | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.63 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.52 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.52 | 2.23 | -1.71 |
Drawdowns
GEM vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and VEXC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GEM | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -37.02% | -12.42% | -24.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.50% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.54% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.43% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.02% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.16% | -0.97% | -1.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.01% | -2.22% | -9.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.48% | — | — |
Volatility
GEM vs. VEXC - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| GEM | VEXC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.61% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.01% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.55% | 18.84% | +0.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.71% | 18.84% | -1.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.03% | 18.84% | +0.19% |
GEM vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison
GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio.
Dividends
GEM vs. VEXC - Dividend Comparison
GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, more than VEXC's 0.74% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 1.83% | 2.30% | 2.58% | 2.97% | 2.96% | 3.00% | 1.63% | 3.13% | 2.08% | 1.81% | 1.98% | 0.25% |
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.74% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, GEM and VEXC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GEM.
GEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.83%, compared with 0.74% for VEXC.
GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.07% for VEXC.
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