PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IXC vs. SPEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IXC vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped 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, IXC returned 10.05%/yr vs 9.63%/yr for SPEM. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IXC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

IXC vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXC achieves a 29.17% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 11.32% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with IXC having a 10.05% annualized return and SPEM not far behind at 9.63%.

IXC

1D
0.28%
1M
-3.42%
YTD
29.17%
6M
28.84%
1Y
36.66%
3Y*
17.43%
5Y*
19.14%
10Y*
10.05%

SPEM

1D
0.87%
1M
2.50%
YTD
11.32%
6M
13.11%
1Y
27.73%
3Y*
17.37%
5Y*
5.60%
10Y*
9.63%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IXC vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		29.17%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		11.32%25.63%11.40%10.51%-17.90%1.51%14.55%19.69%-13.26%34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between IXC and SPEM is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.04

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.24

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.33

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2007

0.62

The correlation between IXC and SPEM shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IXC vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IXC
SPEM

Energy

100.0%
4.2%

Basic Materials

-

8.0%

Communication Services

-

6.7%

Consumer Cyclical

-

9.6%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.6%

Financial Services

-

19.2%

Healthcare

-

3.7%

Industrials

-

8.3%

Real Estate

-

1.8%

Technology

-

32.1%

Utilities

-

2.8%

Energy

IXC
100.0%
SPEM
4.2%

Basic Materials

IXC

-

SPEM
8.0%

Communication Services

IXC

-

SPEM
6.7%

Consumer Cyclical

IXC

-

SPEM
9.6%

Consumer Defensive

IXC

-

SPEM
3.6%

Financial Services

IXC

-

SPEM
19.2%

Healthcare

IXC

-

SPEM
3.7%

Industrials

IXC

-

SPEM
8.3%

Real Estate

IXC

-

SPEM
1.8%

Technology

IXC

-

SPEM
32.1%

Utilities

IXC

-

SPEM
2.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Energy ETF

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DE
Often compared with SPEM:
SPEM vs. VWOSPEM vs. EEMSPEM vs. EMXCSPEM vs. ESGESPEM vs. EMGFSPEM vs. EMCRSPEM vs. BKEM

Return for Risk

IXC vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
SPEM
SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IXC vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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.

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.

IXCSPEMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.08
1.55

+0.53

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.70
2.16

+0.54

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.34

1.29

+0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.05

2.28

+1.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.55

8.16

+3.39

IXC vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXC Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXC 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IXC vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXC drawdown since its inception was -67.88%, which is greater than SPEM's maximum drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXC and SPEM.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IXCSPEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-67.88%

-64.41%

-3.47%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.66%

-11.36%

+1.70%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.06%

-17.62%

-1.44%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.93%

-31.75%

+6.82%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-64.16%

-36.06%

-28.10%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.04%

-2.40%

-4.64%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-17.47%

-14.73%

-2.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.38%

3.17%

+0.21%

Volatility

IXC vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) is 6.44%, while SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that IXC 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IXCSPEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.44%

6.87%

-0.43%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.63%

14.21%

+1.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.79%

16.67%

+2.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.53%

17.26%

+6.27%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

26.84%

18.83%

+8.01%

IXC vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

IXC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

IXC vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

IXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.85%, more than SPEM's 2.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.85%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		2.49%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

IXC and SPEM have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to IXC (6.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXC dropped -67.88% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.05% vs 9.63% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 9.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 2.49% for SPEM.

IXC is categorized as Energy Equities, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IXC and 0.11% for SPEM.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.55), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IXC and SPEM

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer