PRMSX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRMSX (T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - PRMSX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Over the past 10 years, PRMSX returned 8.39%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRMSX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

PRMSX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRMSX achieves a 32.75% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 14.05% return. Over the past 10 years, PRMSX has underperformed VWO with an annualized return of 8.39%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively higher 9.31% annualized return.

PRMSX

• 1D: 3.36%
• 1M: 8.77%
• YTD: 32.75%
• 6M: 35.45%
• 1Y: 63.81%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 3.46%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

VWO

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 14.05%
• 6M: 14.71%
• 1Y: 32.13%
• 3Y*: 18.64%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

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

PRMSX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRMSX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund	32.75%	32.46%	-1.72%	2.08%	-23.35%	-10.47%	17.63%	26.51%	-16.20%	42.27%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	14.05%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between PRMSX and VWO is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2005	0.89

The correlation between PRMSX and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRMSX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRMSX

PRMSX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PRMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PRMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
PRMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PRMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PRMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 60
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

PRMSX vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	PRMSX	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	1.94	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.66	+0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.36	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	2.89	+1.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.90	10.19	+7.71

PRMSX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRMSX and VWO, 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

PRMSX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRMSX drawdown since its inception was -71.13%, which is greater than VWO's maximum drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRMSX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRMSX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.13%	-67.68%	-3.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-11.17%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.47%	-17.37%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.75%	-32.60%	-10.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.28%	-36.39%	-9.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.09%	-15.79%	-5.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	3.16%	+0.36%

Volatility

PRMSX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) has a higher volatility of 11.71% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 6.57%. This indicates that PRMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRMSX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.71%	6.57%	+5.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.30%	14.28%	+5.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.50%	16.67%	+4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.46%	17.53%	+0.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.82%	19.24%	-0.42%

PRMSX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRMSX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRMSX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

PRMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than VWO's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRMSX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund	0.43%	0.57%	0.35%	1.09%	1.17%	8.26%	0.49%	1.24%	0.61%	0.18%	0.69%	0.56%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.26%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRMSX and VWO in my portfolio?

PRMSX and VWO have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRMSX or VWO?

PRMSX has higher volatility (11.71%) compared to VWO (6.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRMSX dropped -71.13% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 1.94), 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.