PEMYX vs. AVEM

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

PEMYX (Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both funds - PEMYX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Putnam, while AVEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Avantis. Over the past 5 years, PEMYX returned 7.00%/yr vs 9.25%/yr for AVEM. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PEMYX charges 1.08%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund (PEMYX) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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 PEMYX having a 20.35% return and AVEM slightly higher at 20.78%.

PEMYX

• 1D: -3.69%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: 14.47%
• YTD: 20.35%
• 1Y: 39.07%
• 3Y*: 23.06%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

AVEM

• 1D: 1.57%
• 1M: -3.44%
• 6M: 15.47%
• YTD: 20.78%
• 1Y: 36.78%
• 3Y*: 21.79%
• 5Y*: 9.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PEMYX Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund	20.35%	33.48%	16.22%	12.16%	-27.42%	-3.85%	37.11%	11.00%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	20.78%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	10.40%

Correlation

The correlation between PEMYX and AVEM 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 (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2019	0.87

The correlation between PEMYX and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PEMYX vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEMYX

PEMYX Risk / Return Rank: 69
PEMYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
PEMYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
PEMYX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
PEMYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PEMYX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 63
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund (PEMYX) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	PEMYX	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	1.60	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.11	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.98	2.81	+0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.65	9.77	+0.87

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEMYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEMYX and AVEM, 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

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEMYX drawdown since its inception was -45.25%, which is greater than AVEM's maximum drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEMYX and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEMYX	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.25%	-36.05%	-9.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.26%	-13.13%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.26%	-18.02%	+4.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.49%	-31.97%	-8.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.01%	-7.74%	-1.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.30%	-10.01%	-6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.70%	3.77%	-0.07%

Volatility

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund (PEMYX) has a higher volatility of 11.72% compared to Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) at 10.38%. This indicates that PEMYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PEMYX	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.72%	10.38%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.37%	21.09%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.23%	23.09%	-0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.14%	19.20%	-1.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	21.00%	-2.72%

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEMYX has a 1.08% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEMYX vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

PEMYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, less than AVEM's 1.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.90%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PEMYX Putnam Emerging Markets Equity Fund	0.65%	0.78%	1.85%	0.99%	0.00%	5.27%	1.78%	1.40%	2.16%	0.24%	1.18%	1.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEMYX and AVEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, PEMYX and AVEM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PEMYX or AVEM?

PEMYX has higher volatility (11.72%) compared to AVEM (10.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEMYX dropped -45.25% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEMYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.60), 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.