NUEM vs. VEXC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - NUEM tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUEM charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.

Performance

NUEM vs. VEXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUEM achieves a 19.14% return, which is significantly lower than VEXC's 20.21% return.

NUEM

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 21.09%
• 1Y: 42.42%
• 3Y*: 19.13%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: —

VEXC

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: 4.95%
• YTD: 20.21%
• 6M: 23.59%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUEM vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	19.14%	1.98%
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	20.21%	4.80%

Correlation

The correlation between NUEM and VEXC is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2025	0.90

Return for Risk

NUEM vs. VEXC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUEM

NUEM Risk / Return Rank: 70
NUEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NUEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
NUEM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
NUEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NUEM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

NUEM vs. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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.

	NUEM	VEXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.95	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUEM	VEXC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	2.21	-1.80

Drawdowns

NUEM vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUEM drawdown since its inception was -39.48%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUEM and VEXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUEM	VEXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.48%	-12.42%	-27.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-1.20%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.02%	-2.23%	-12.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NUEM	VEXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.76%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.83%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.68%	18.89%	-0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.72%	18.89%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.18%	18.89%	+1.29%

NUEM vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUEM has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUEM vs. VEXC - Dividend Comparison

NUEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, more than VEXC's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	3.00%	3.58%	1.95%	2.37%	1.90%	2.45%	1.26%	1.98%	2.05%	0.62%
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	0.74%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUEM and VEXC in my portfolio?

NUEM and VEXC have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NUEM or VEXC?

On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUEM or VEXC?

VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUEM or VEXC?

NUEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.00%, compared with 0.74% for VEXC.

What is the main difference between NUEM and VEXC?

NUEM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NUEM and 0.07% for VEXC.