IHDG vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IHDG (WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHDG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index, while SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IHDG returned 10.27%/yr vs 9.23%/yr for SPEM. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IHDG charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

IHDG vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IHDG achieves a 4.98% return, which is significantly lower than SPEM's 8.69% return. Over the past 10 years, IHDG has outperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 10.27%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.23% annualized return.

IHDG

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 4.98%
• 6M: 6.90%
• 1Y: 14.03%
• 3Y*: 10.60%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -3.31%
• YTD: 8.69%
• 6M: 10.06%
• 1Y: 24.84%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 5.19%
• 10Y*: 9.23%

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

IHDG vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IHDG WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund	4.98%	14.17%	5.97%	20.00%	-11.53%	19.75%	10.51%	33.42%	-12.03%	21.93%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	8.69%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IHDG and SPEM is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2014	0.66

The correlation between IHDG and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

IHDG vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHDG	SPEM
Industrials	19.7%	8.5%
Consumer Cyclical	19.3%	10.4%
Financial Services	15.2%	20.2%
Healthcare	9.4%	4.0%
Technology	7.8%	28.2%
Basic Materials	5.4%	8.2%
Communication Services	4.5%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	3.9%
Energy	3.7%	4.7%
Utilities	0.8%	2.8%
Real Estate	0.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IHDG vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHDG

IHDG Risk / Return Rank: 32
IHDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
IHDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IHDG Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IHDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
IHDG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

IHDG vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.

	IHDG	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.52	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.53	2.10	-0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	2.20	-0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.95	7.95	-3.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IHDG vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHDG Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHDG and SPEM, 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

	IHDG	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	1.52	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.30	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.49	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.23	+0.37

Drawdowns

IHDG vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHDG drawdown since its inception was -29.24%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHDG and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHDG	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.24%	-64.41%	+35.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.49%	-11.36%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.88%	-17.62%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.52%	-31.76%	+12.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.24%	-36.06%	+6.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.69%	-4.70%	+3.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-14.74%	+10.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	3.13%	-0.29%

Volatility

IHDG vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) is 3.83%, while SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a volatility of 6.56%. This indicates that IHDG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IHDG	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	6.56%	-2.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.35%	13.95%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.71%	16.47%	-2.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.85%	17.22%	-2.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.78%	18.84%	-3.06%

IHDG vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHDG has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHDG vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

IHDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than SPEM's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IHDG WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Fund	1.83%	1.84%	2.42%	1.70%	13.79%	2.77%	1.94%	1.99%	0.22%	1.28%	1.91%	3.04%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.55%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IHDG and SPEM in my portfolio?

IHDG and SPEM have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHDG or SPEM?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.56%) compared to IHDG (3.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHDG dropped -29.24% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, IHDG or SPEM?

On 10-year performance, IHDG leads with 10.27% vs 9.23% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, IHDG has been the lower-risk option at 3.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHDG or SPEM?

Over the 10-year period, IHDG has performed better with a 10.27% return vs 9.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHDG or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for IHDG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IHDG or SPEM?

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 1.83% for IHDG.

What is the main difference between IHDG and SPEM?

IHDG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. IHDG tracks WisdomTree International Hedged Dividend Growth Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for IHDG and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.03), 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.