PAIJX vs. SSKEX

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

PAIJX (T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund) and SSKEX (State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, PAIJX returned 10.79%/yr vs 9.74%/yr for SSKEX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAIJX charges 1.60%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SSKEX.

Performance

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund (PAIJX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PAIJX having a 23.40% return and SSKEX slightly higher at 23.80%. Over the past 10 years, PAIJX has outperformed SSKEX with an annualized return of 10.79%, while SSKEX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.74% annualized return.

PAIJX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -1.75%
• YTD: 23.40%
• 6M: 23.33%
• 1Y: 46.89%
• 3Y*: 23.23%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

SSKEX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: 23.80%
• 6M: 23.96%
• 1Y: 43.64%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 6.99%
• 10Y*: 9.74%

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

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAIJX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund	23.40%	37.89%	5.37%	10.72%	-16.04%	4.03%	6.46%	15.99%	-10.23%	32.42%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	23.80%	33.79%	7.00%	9.50%	-20.23%	-2.80%	18.20%	18.16%	-14.78%	37.18%

Correlation

The correlation between PAIJX and SSKEX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.87

The correlation between PAIJX and SSKEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PAIJX vs. SSKEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAIJX

PAIJX Risk / Return Rank: 82
PAIJX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
PAIJX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
PAIJX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
PAIJX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
PAIJX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

SSKEX

SSKEX Risk / Return Rank: 81
SSKEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SSKEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SSKEX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SSKEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SSKEX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund (PAIJX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). 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.

	PAIJX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.24	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.86	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.43	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.54	3.47	+0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.89	12.45	+0.44

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAIJX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the SSKEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAIJX and SSKEX, 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

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAIJX drawdown since its inception was -42.19%, which is greater than SSKEX's maximum drawdown of -39.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAIJX and SSKEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAIJX	SSKEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.19%	-39.23%	-2.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.29%	-12.44%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-16.09%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.91%	-35.71%	+4.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.19%	-39.23%	-2.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.72%	-5.29%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.31%	-13.20%	+2.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	3.46%	+0.18%

Volatility

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund (PAIJX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX) have volatilities of 11.22% and 11.02%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAIJX	SSKEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.22%	11.02%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.71%	17.46%	+1.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.57%	19.36%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.35%	17.13%	+0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.87%	17.48%	+0.39%

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAIJX has a 1.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SSKEX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAIJX vs. SSKEX - Dividend Comparison

PAIJX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than SSKEX's 2.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAIJX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Discovery Stock Fund	3.41%	4.20%	2.72%	2.71%	1.85%	2.24%	0.00%	2.49%	1.24%	3.68%	3.00%	1.53%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.30%	2.85%	2.90%	3.26%	3.90%	1.95%	1.84%	2.84%	3.01%	2.55%	2.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAIJX and SSKEX in my portfolio?

PAIJX and SSKEX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAIJX or SSKEX?

PAIJX has higher volatility (11.22%) compared to SSKEX (11.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAIJX dropped -42.19% vs SSKEX's -39.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAIJX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.24), 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.