MEMX vs. DEM
MEMX (Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF) and DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - MEMX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Matthews, while DEM is a Dividend fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Index. MEMX is actively managed, while DEM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MEMX returned 20.99%/yr vs 15.88%/yr for DEM. Their 0.76 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. MEMX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.63%/yr for DEM.
Performance
MEMX vs. DEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MEMX achieves a 20.25% return, which is significantly higher than DEM's 17.08% return.
MEMX
- 1D
- 0.27%
- 1M
- -5.81%
- 6M
- 10.01%
- YTD
- 20.25%
- 1Y
- 45.59%
- 3Y*
- 20.99%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 20.15%
DEM
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 10.28%
- YTD
- 17.08%
- 1Y
- 24.73%
- 3Y*
- 15.88%
- 5Y*
- 10.19%
- 10Y*
- 9.26%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.92%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8.90M | $9.48M | $10.87M | |
| $126.06K | $154.77K | $150.51K |
MEMX vs. DEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF | 20.25% | 35.88% | 5.50% | 11.33% |
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | 17.08% | 21.29% | 4.46% | 14.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between MEMX and DEM is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.79 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2023 | 0.76 |
The correlation between MEMX and DEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.
MEMX vs. DEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
MEMX
DEM
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Industrials
Basic Materials
Healthcare
Energy
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Real Estate
Utilities
Technology
MEMX
DEM
Financial Services
MEMX
DEM
Consumer Cyclical
MEMX
DEM
Industrials
MEMX
DEM
Basic Materials
MEMX
DEM
Healthcare
MEMX
DEM
Energy
MEMX
DEM
Communication Services
MEMX
DEM
Consumer Defensive
MEMX
DEM
Real Estate
MEMX
DEM
Utilities
MEMX
DEM
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Return for Risk
MEMX vs. DEM — Risk / Return Rank
MEMX
DEM
MEMX vs. DEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX) and WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM). 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.
| MEMX | DEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.30 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.68 | 3.15 | -0.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.02 | 9.50 | -0.48 |
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Drawdowns
MEMX vs. DEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MEMX drawdown since its inception was -19.27%, smaller than the maximum DEM drawdown of -51.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEMX and DEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MEMX | DEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.27% | -51.85% | +32.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.84% | -7.89% | -8.95% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.27% | -15.64% | -3.63% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -27.18% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -37.79% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.57% | -3.57% | -9.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.66% | -12.82% | +9.16% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.99% | 2.61% | +2.38% |
Volatility
MEMX vs. DEM - Volatility Comparison
Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX) has a higher volatility of 9.83% compared to WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) at 5.12%. This indicates that MEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MEMX | DEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.83% | 5.12% | +4.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.48% | 13.28% | +11.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.49% | 15.02% | +11.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.76% | 15.60% | +3.16% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.76% | 17.85% | +0.91% |
MEMX vs. DEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
MEMX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than DEM's 0.63% expense ratio.
Dividends
MEMX vs. DEM - Dividend Comparison
MEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, less than DEM's 4.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | 4.18% | 4.88% | 5.24% | 5.49% | 8.62% | 5.87% | 4.21% | 4.78% | 4.47% | 3.67% | 3.63% | 5.21% |
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF | 4.06% | 4.88% | 0.99% | 1.13% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MEMX and DEM have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MEMX has higher volatility (9.83%) compared to DEM (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEMX dropped -19.27% vs DEM's -51.85%.
On 3-year performance, MEMX leads with 20.99% vs 15.88% for DEM. On fees, DEM is cheaper at 0.63% per year. On volatility, DEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, MEMX has performed better with a 20.99% return vs 15.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DEM is cheaper with a 0.63% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MEMX.
DEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.18%, compared with 4.06% for MEMX.
MEMX is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DEM is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Matthews and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for MEMX and 0.63% for DEM.
MEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.66), 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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