MEMS vs. COMT
MEMS (Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF) and COMT (iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MEMS is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Matthews, while COMT is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Dynamic Roll (USD) Total Return Index. MEMS is actively managed, while COMT is passively managed. Over the past year, MEMS returned 24.01% vs 27.86% for COMT. At a 0.04 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MEMS charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for COMT.
Performance
MEMS vs. COMT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MEMS achieves a 21.77% return, which is significantly lower than COMT's 23.11% return.
MEMS
- 1D
- -0.71%
- 1M
- -2.38%
- YTD
- 21.77%
- 6M
- 21.34%
- 1Y
- 24.01%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
COMT
- 1D
- 1.79%
- 1M
- -10.98%
- YTD
- 23.11%
- 6M
- 22.05%
- 1Y
- 27.86%
- 3Y*
- 11.69%
- 5Y*
- 10.62%
- 10Y*
- 8.00%
MEMS vs. COMT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MEMS Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF | 21.77% | 11.12% | -5.32% |
COMT iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | 23.11% | 6.07% | 6.51% |
Correlation
The correlation between MEMS and COMT is -0.19, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024 | 0.04 |
The correlation between MEMS and COMT shifts across timeframes, from -0.19 (1 year) to 0.04 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MEMS vs. COMT — Risk / Return Rank
MEMS
COMT
MEMS vs. COMT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) and iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT). 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.
| MEMS | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.22 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.24 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.85 | 1.59 | +0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.86 | 7.12 | -1.26 |
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Drawdowns
MEMS vs. COMT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MEMS drawdown since its inception was -22.24%, smaller than the maximum COMT drawdown of -51.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEMS and COMT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MEMS | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.24% | -51.89% | +29.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.05% | -17.57% | +4.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -17.57% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.00% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -39.22% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.45% | -16.10% | +11.65% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -24.00% | +18.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.11% | 3.92% | +0.19% |
Volatility
MEMS vs. COMT - Volatility Comparison
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF (MEMS) has a higher volatility of 8.88% compared to iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT) at 5.77%. This indicates that MEMS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than COMT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MEMS | COMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.88% | 5.77% | +3.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.33% | 19.43% | -0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.83% | 21.19% | +0.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.92% | 21.17% | -1.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.92% | 18.88% | +1.04% |
MEMS vs. COMT - Expense Ratio Comparison
MEMS has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than COMT's 0.48% expense ratio.
Dividends
MEMS vs. COMT - Dividend Comparison
MEMS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than COMT's 6.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COMT iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF | 6.29% | 7.74% | 4.90% | 5.19% | 29.79% | 17.79% | 0.36% | 2.61% | 11.65% | 5.16% | 0.52% | 1.44% |
MEMS Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF | 2.31% | 2.81% | 1.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MEMS and COMT have a correlation of -0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MEMS has higher volatility (8.88%) compared to COMT (5.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEMS dropped -22.24% vs COMT's -51.89%.
On 1-year performance, COMT leads with 27.86% vs 24.01% for MEMS. On fees, COMT is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, COMT has been the lower-risk option at 5.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, COMT has performed better with a 27.86% return vs 24.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
COMT is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for MEMS.
COMT has the higher dividend yield at 6.29%, compared with 2.31% for MEMS.
MEMS is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while COMT is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Matthews and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for MEMS and 0.48% for COMT.
COMT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 1.10), 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.
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