MFEM vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFEM (PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - MFEM tracks the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MFEM returned 8.84%/yr vs 5.70%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MFEM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

MFEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) 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, MFEM achieves a 31.49% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 12.45% return.

MFEM

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 9.48%
• YTD: 31.49%
• 6M: 33.22%
• 1Y: 54.64%
• 3Y*: 23.28%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: —

SPEM

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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	31.49%	25.33%	4.73%	15.14%	-19.50%	10.77%	11.33%	15.26%	-14.64%	4.82%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	12.45%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	5.20%

Correlation

The correlation between MFEM and SPEM is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2017	0.92

The correlation between MFEM and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

MFEM vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MFEM	SPEM
Technology	23.1%	28.2%
Financial Services	17.7%	20.2%
Basic Materials	15.1%	8.2%
Industrials	12.2%	8.5%
Energy	8.7%	4.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	10.4%
Communication Services	4.8%	7.2%
Utilities	3.9%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.9%
Healthcare	1.7%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

MFEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

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 ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	1.98	+0.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.73	+0.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.36	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	2.77	+1.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.72	10.14	+5.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFEM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFEM 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFEM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	1.98	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.33	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.23	+0.20

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.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFEM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.32%	-64.41%	+21.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-11.36%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.22%	-17.62%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.39%	-31.88%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-1.40%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.49%	-14.75%	+3.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	3.10%	+0.39%

Volatility

MFEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) has a higher volatility of 8.47% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.69%. 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.

Volatility by Period

	MFEM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	5.69%	+2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.92%	13.29%	+3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.11%	15.92%	+3.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.60%	17.13%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.40%	18.80%	+0.60%

MFEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

MFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than SPEM's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.12%	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	2.47%	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 MFEM and SPEM in my portfolio?

MFEM 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, MFEM or SPEM?

MFEM has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to SPEM (5.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFEM dropped -43.32% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, MFEM or SPEM?

On 5-year performance, MFEM leads with 8.84% vs 5.70% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MFEM or SPEM?

Over the 5-year period, MFEM has performed better with a 8.84% return vs 5.70%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MFEM or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for MFEM.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 2.12% for MFEM.

What is the main difference between MFEM and SPEM?

MFEM tracks RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MFEM and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MFEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 1.98), 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.