PPEM vs. HEEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PPEM (Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF -) and HEEM (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - PPEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index while HEEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets 100% USD Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, PPEM returned 25.49%/yr vs 26.46%/yr for HEEM. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PPEM charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for HEEM.

Performance

PPEM vs. HEEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF - (PPEM) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PPEM achieves a 31.17% return, which is significantly higher than HEEM's 28.24% return.

PPEM

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 6.80%
• YTD: 31.17%
• 6M: 33.71%
• 1Y: 56.99%
• 3Y*: 25.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HEEM

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: 6.59%
• YTD: 28.24%
• 6M: 30.05%
• 1Y: 59.73%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 10.08%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

PPEM vs. HEEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PPEM Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF -	31.17%	35.39%	7.50%	0.11%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	28.24%	34.02%	12.59%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between PPEM and HEEM is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2023	0.90

The correlation between PPEM and HEEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

PPEM vs. HEEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PPEM	HEEM
Technology	50.2%	37.0%
Financial Services	16.0%	19.4%
Communication Services	6.9%	6.9%
Consumer Cyclical	5.9%	9.6%
Industrials	4.6%	7.5%
Basic Materials	3.8%	6.5%
Healthcare	2.6%	2.9%
Utilities	2.2%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.1%
Energy	1.6%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	3.0%

Return for Risk

PPEM vs. HEEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PPEM

PPEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
PPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
PPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
PPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

HEEM

HEEM Risk / Return Rank: 92
HEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
HEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
HEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
HEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

PPEM vs. HEEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF - (PPEM) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). 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.

	PPEM	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	3.39	-0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.56	4.42	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.63	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	5.54	-1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.04	22.18	-7.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PPEM vs. HEEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PPEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the HEEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PPEM and HEEM, 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

	PPEM	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	3.39	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	0.49	+0.68

Drawdowns

PPEM vs. HEEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PPEM drawdown since its inception was -18.44%, smaller than the maximum HEEM drawdown of -33.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPEM and HEEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PPEM	HEEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.44%	-33.53%	+15.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.28%	-10.83%	-4.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.44%	-14.82%	-3.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.60%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.33%	-2.16%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.20%	-11.13%	+6.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.80%	2.70%	+1.10%

Volatility

PPEM vs. HEEM - Volatility Comparison

Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF - (PPEM) has a higher volatility of 8.91% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) at 7.72%. This indicates that PPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PPEM	HEEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.91%	7.72%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.76%	15.39%	+3.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.27%	17.75%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.30%	17.02%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.30%	17.97%	+0.33%

PPEM vs. HEEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PPEM has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than HEEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

PPEM vs. HEEM - Dividend Comparison

PPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 49.33%, more than HEEM's 3.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	3.10%	3.98%	2.38%	2.75%	7.49%	1.93%	1.49%	3.04%	2.37%	2.05%	1.84%	6.28%
PPEM Putnam Panagora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF -	49.33%	6.05%	3.27%	1.94%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PPEM and HEEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PPEM and HEEM 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, PPEM or HEEM?

PPEM has higher volatility (8.91%) compared to HEEM (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPEM dropped -18.44% vs HEEM's -33.53%.

Which ETF is better, PPEM or HEEM?

On 3-year performance, HEEM leads with 26.46% vs 25.49% for PPEM. On fees, PPEM is cheaper at 0.61% per year. On volatility, HEEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PPEM or HEEM?

Over the 3-year period, HEEM has performed better with a 26.46% return vs 25.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PPEM or HEEM?

PPEM is cheaper with a 0.61% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for HEEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PPEM or HEEM?

PPEM has the higher dividend yield at 49.33%, compared with 3.10% for HEEM.

What is the main difference between PPEM and HEEM?

PPEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while HEEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets 100% USD Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: Putnam and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for PPEM and 0.72% for HEEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 2.70), 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.