KEMX vs. SPEM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

KEMX (KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - KEMX tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, KEMX returned 12.08%/yr vs 6.50%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. KEMX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

KEMX vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (KEMX) 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, KEMX achieves a 30.22% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 10.33% return.

KEMX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: -4.08%
• 6M: 16.35%
• YTD: 30.22%
• 1Y: 56.00%
• 3Y*: 25.12%
• 5Y*: 12.08%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.50%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.02%
• 6M: 4.39%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 1Y: 22.62%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 8.32%
• ALL TIME*: 5.56%

*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)
KEMX KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF	$527.87K	$528.96K	$586.53K
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	$92.35M	$109.23M	$122.58M

KEMX vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
KEMX KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF	30.22%	38.28%	0.36%	20.57%	-19.35%	10.55%	12.84%	7.93%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	10.33%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between KEMX and SPEM is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2019	0.86

The correlation between KEMX and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

KEMX vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	KEMX	SPEM
Technology	46.4%	32.7%
Financial Services	20.3%	19.9%
Industrials	7.5%	8.3%
Basic Materials	7.3%	7.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.9%	8.9%
Energy	3.6%	3.8%
Communication Services	3.0%	6.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	3.7%
Utilities	1.6%	2.7%
Healthcare	1.5%	3.9%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

KEMX vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

KEMX

KEMX Risk / Return Rank: 83
KEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
KEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
KEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
KEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
KEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

KEMX vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (KEMX) 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.

	KEMX	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	1.28	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	1.81	+0.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.24	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	2.00	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.97	6.59	+4.39

KEMX vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current KEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of KEMX 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.

Drawdowns

KEMX vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum KEMX drawdown since its inception was -38.80%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KEMX and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	KEMX	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.80%	-64.41%	+25.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.11%	-11.36%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.62%	-17.62%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.85%	-30.03%	-0.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.37%	-3.76%	-7.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.82%	-14.65%	+5.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	3.44%	+1.68%

Volatility

KEMX vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (KEMX) has a higher volatility of 9.60% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.72%. This indicates that KEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	KEMX	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.60%	5.72%	+3.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.90%	15.29%	+9.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.99%	17.72%	+9.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.41%	17.36%	+2.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	18.80%	+2.71%

KEMX vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

KEMX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.07% 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

KEMX vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

KEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, which matches SPEM's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
KEMX KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF	2.52%	3.28%	3.39%	2.00%	4.10%	4.79%	1.69%	2.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.54%	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 KEMX and SPEM in my portfolio?

KEMX and SPEM have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, KEMX or SPEM?

KEMX has higher volatility (9.60%) compared to SPEM (5.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KEMX dropped -38.80% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, KEMX or SPEM?

On 5-year performance, KEMX leads with 12.08% vs 6.50% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, KEMX or SPEM?

Over the 5-year period, KEMX has performed better with a 12.08% return vs 6.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, KEMX or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for KEMX.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 2.52% for KEMX.

What is the main difference between KEMX and SPEM?

KEMX tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging BMI Index. They also come from different issuers: CICC and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for KEMX and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

KEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.28), 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.