OAEM vs. SPEM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

OAEM (OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. OAEM is actively managed, while SPEM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, OAEM returned 18.13%/yr vs 15.56%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OAEM charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

OAEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) 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, OAEM achieves a 26.54% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 9.89% return.

OAEM

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -2.87%
• 6M: 13.83%
• YTD: 26.54%
• 1Y: 43.91%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.43%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: 4.56%
• YTD: 9.89%
• 1Y: 22.14%
• 3Y*: 15.56%
• 5Y*: 6.70%
• 10Y*: 8.53%
• ALL TIME*: 5.54%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	$452.20K	$547.88K	$1.41M
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	$90.49M	$105.53M	$120.92M

OAEM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	26.54%	26.67%	0.43%	17.97%	1.40%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	9.89%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-1.10%

Correlation

The correlation between OAEM and SPEM is 0.82, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2022	0.82

The correlation between OAEM and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

OAEM vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OAEM	SPEM
Technology	45.0%	32.7%
Industrials	15.8%	8.3%
Financial Services	15.7%	19.9%
Basic Materials	7.1%	7.7%
Consumer Cyclical	5.1%	8.9%
Real Estate	3.9%	1.8%
Energy	3.1%	3.8%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	3.7%
Communication Services	1.3%	6.6%
Utilities	0.9%	2.7%
Healthcare	-	3.9%

Return for Risk

OAEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

OAEM

OAEM Risk / Return Rank: 70
OAEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
OAEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
OAEM Omega Ratio Rank: 68
OAEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
OAEM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 51
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

OAEM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) 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.

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.

	OAEM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	1.23	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	1.74	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	1.91	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	6.31	+2.94

OAEM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OAEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is comparable to the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OAEM 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.

Drawdowns

OAEM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OAEM drawdown since its inception was -17.05%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OAEM and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	OAEM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.05%	-64.41%	+47.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.09%	-11.36%	-3.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.05%	-17.62%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.37%	-4.14%	-6.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.98%	-14.66%	+10.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.64%	3.43%	+1.21%

Volatility

OAEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) has a higher volatility of 10.55% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.72%. This indicates that OAEM'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

	OAEM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.55%	5.72%	+4.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.40%	15.43%	+9.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.41%	17.70%	+9.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.93%	17.36%	+3.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.93%	18.80%	+2.13%

OAEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

OAEM has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

OAEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

OAEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than SPEM's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	0.61%	0.77%	0.91%	1.63%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.55%	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 OAEM and SPEM in my portfolio?

OAEM and SPEM have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OAEM or SPEM?

OAEM has higher volatility (10.55%) compared to SPEM (5.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OAEM dropped -17.05% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, OAEM or SPEM?

On 3-year performance, OAEM leads with 18.13% vs 15.56% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OAEM or SPEM?

Over the 3-year period, OAEM has performed better with a 18.13% return vs 15.56%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OAEM or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 1.25% for OAEM.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.55%, compared with 0.61% for OAEM.

What is the main difference between OAEM and SPEM?

They also come from different issuers: Oneascent and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.25% for OAEM and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OAEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.23), 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.