MFEM vs. SPEM
Compare and contrast key facts about PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM).
MFEM and SPEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. MFEM is a passively managed fund by PIMCO that tracks the performance of the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index. It was launched on Aug 31, 2017. SPEM is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. It was launched on Mar 19, 2007. Both MFEM and SPEM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
MFEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison
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MFEM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 8.20% | 25.33% | 4.73% | 15.14% | -19.50% | 10.77% | 11.33% | 15.26% | -14.64% | 4.82% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.21% | 25.63% | 11.40% | 10.51% | -17.90% | 1.51% | 14.55% | 19.69% | -13.26% | 5.20% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MFEM achieves a 8.20% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 0.21% return.
MFEM
- 1D
- 2.92%
- 1M
- -9.87%
- YTD
- 8.20%
- 6M
- 12.54%
- 1Y
- 35.23%
- 3Y*
- 16.17%
- 5Y*
- 6.37%
- 10Y*
- —
SPEM
- 1D
- 3.17%
- 1M
- -7.13%
- YTD
- 0.21%
- 6M
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- 22.70%
- 3Y*
- 14.39%
- 5Y*
- 4.29%
- 10Y*
- 8.16%
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MFEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
MFEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
MFEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank
MFEM
SPEM
MFEM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) 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.
| MFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.89 | 1.28 | +0.61 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.47 | 1.80 | +0.67 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.26 | +0.11 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.71 | 1.82 | +0.90 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.38 | 7.01 | +3.37 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.89 | 1.28 | +0.61 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 | 0.25 | +0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.44 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.21 | +0.11 |
Correlation
The correlation between MFEM and SPEM is 0.92, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
MFEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison
MFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than SPEM's 2.77% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 2.56% | 2.77% | 5.89% | 4.01% | 7.01% | 29.96% | 1.70% | 2.37% | 1.18% | 0.21% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 2.77% | 2.77% | 2.78% | 2.80% | 3.38% | 3.14% | 1.92% | 2.94% | 2.34% | 1.12% | 1.51% | 2.40% |
Drawdowns
MFEM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MFEM drawdown since its inception was -43.32%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFEM and SPEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.32% | -64.41% | +21.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.86% | -12.35% | -0.51% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.39% | -31.94% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.06% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.31% | -8.56% | -1.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.67% | -14.87% | +3.20% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.36% | 3.20% | +0.16% |
Volatility
MFEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) has a higher volatility of 10.30% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 8.25%. This indicates that MFEM'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.
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Volatility by Period
| MFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.30% | 8.25% | +2.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.44% | 12.23% | +2.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.72% | 17.79% | +0.93% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.12% | 16.95% | -0.83% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.22% | 18.76% | +0.46% |