HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

HSEM.L (HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF) and HEMC.L (HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from HSBC - HSEM.L tracks the HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF while HEMC.L tracks the MSCI EM NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HSEM.L returned 18.14%/yr vs 20.15%/yr for HEMC.L. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HSEM.L charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for HEMC.L.

Performance

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF (HSEM.L) and HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (HEMC.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

HSEM.L is traded in USD, while HEMC.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the HEMC.L values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSEM.L achieves a 12.47% return, which is significantly lower than HEMC.L's 20.79% return.

HSEM.L

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: -2.74%
• 6M: 7.42%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 1Y: 26.78%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 6.62%
• 10Y*: —

HEMC.L

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -5.70%
• 6M: 14.70%
• YTD: 20.79%
• 1Y: 38.65%
• 3Y*: 20.15%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HSEM.L HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF	12.47%	29.57%	15.18%	4.33%	-4.44%
HEMC.L HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	20.79%	34.15%	7.08%	8.45%	-22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between HSEM.L and HEMC.L is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2022	0.85

The correlation between HSEM.L and HEMC.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSEM.L

HSEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 53
HSEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
HSEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
HSEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 50
HSEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
HSEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 53

HEMC.L

HEMC.L Risk / Return Rank: 39
HEMC.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
HEMC.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
HEMC.L Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HEMC.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
HEMC.L Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF (HSEM.L) and HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (HEMC.L). 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.

	HSEM.L	HEMC.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	0.84	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	1.55	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.33	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	1.40	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.31	2.59	+4.72

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSEM.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is higher than the HEMC.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSEM.L and HEMC.L, 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

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSEM.L drawdown since its inception was -36.19%, which is greater than HEMC.L's maximum drawdown of -32.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSEM.L and HEMC.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSEM.L	HEMC.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.19%	-32.92%	-3.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.15%	-27.53%	+16.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.38%	-27.53%	+10.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.12%	-7.87%	+3.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.08%	-13.57%	-0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	14.92%	-11.34%

Volatility

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF (HSEM.L) is 6.31%, while HSBC MSCI Emerging Markets UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (HEMC.L) has a volatility of 9.21%. This indicates that HSEM.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEMC.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSEM.L	HEMC.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.31%	9.21%	-2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.44%	19.17%	-3.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.02%	45.76%	-27.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.33%	31.64%	-13.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	31.64%	-13.57%

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSEM.L has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than HEMC.L's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HSEM.L vs. HEMC.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither HSEM.L nor HEMC.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSEM.L and HEMC.L in my portfolio?

HSEM.L and HEMC.L have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HSEM.L or HEMC.L?

On fees, HEMC.L is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HSEM.L or HEMC.L?

HEMC.L is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for HSEM.L.

What is the main difference between HSEM.L and HEMC.L?

HSEM.L tracks HSBC Emerging Market Screened Equity UCITS ETF, while HEMC.L tracks MSCI EM NR USD. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for HSEM.L and 0.15% for HEMC.L.