PRIM vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRIM (Primoris Services Corporation) is a stock, while SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Over the past 10 years, PRIM returned 20.60%/yr vs 9.45%/yr for SPEM. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PRIM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) 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, PRIM achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly lower than SPEM's 12.45% return. Over the past 10 years, PRIM has outperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 20.60%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.45% annualized return.

PRIM

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: -31.92%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 0.77%
• 1Y: 72.30%
• 3Y*: 66.34%
• 5Y*: 32.36%
• 10Y*: 20.60%

SPEM

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

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

PRIM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRIM Primoris Services Corporation	1.82%	63.08%	131.14%	52.60%	-7.46%	-12.38%	25.81%	17.62%	-28.93%	20.39%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	12.45%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PRIM and SPEM is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 7, 2008	0.37

Return for Risk

PRIM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRIM

PRIM Risk / Return Rank: 72
PRIM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PRIM Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
PRIM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
PRIM Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
PRIM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

PRIM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) 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.

	PRIM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.03	1.98	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.73	-1.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.36	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.45	2.77	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.98	10.14	-5.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRIM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRIM Sharpe Ratio is 1.03, which is lower than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRIM 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PRIM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.03	1.98	-0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.33	+0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.50	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.23	+0.18

Drawdowns

PRIM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRIM drawdown since its inception was -68.51%, which is greater than SPEM's maximum drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRIM and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRIM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.51%	-64.41%	-4.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-50.11%	-11.36%	-38.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.11%	-17.62%	-32.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.19%	-31.88%	-19.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.73%	-36.06%	-29.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.75%	-1.40%	-36.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.73%	-14.75%	-7.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.57%	3.10%	+11.47%

Volatility

PRIM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

Primoris Services Corporation (PRIM) has a higher volatility of 73.85% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.69%. This indicates that PRIM'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

	PRIM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	73.85%	5.69%	+68.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	79.90%	13.29%	+66.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	70.80%	15.92%	+54.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	47.45%	17.13%	+30.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	45.03%	18.80%	+26.23%

Dividends

PRIM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

PRIM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.25%, less than SPEM's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRIM Primoris Services Corporation	0.25%	0.26%	0.34%	0.72%	1.09%	1.00%	0.87%	1.08%	1.25%	0.83%	0.97%	0.93%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.47%	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 PRIM and SPEM in my portfolio?

PRIM and SPEM have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRIM or SPEM?

PRIM has higher volatility (73.85%) compared to SPEM (5.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRIM dropped -68.51% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.03), 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.