PXH vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PXH (Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PXH is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PXH returned 10.99%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for EEM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXH charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

PXH vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXH achieves a 16.54% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 29.41% return. Over the past 10 years, PXH has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 10.99%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 10.06% annualized return.

PXH

• 1D: 1.80%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 16.54%
• 6M: 17.48%
• 1Y: 39.55%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 9.61%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

EEM

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 10.40%
• YTD: 29.41%
• 6M: 32.25%
• 1Y: 58.14%
• 3Y*: 24.46%
• 5Y*: 7.47%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

PXH vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXH Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF	16.54%	31.44%	12.09%	13.93%	-15.18%	8.31%	-1.91%	16.77%	-8.68%	26.60%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	29.41%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between PXH and EEM 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2007	0.93

The correlation between PXH and EEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

PXH vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PXH	EEM
Financial Services	25.8%	17.5%
Technology	19.9%	43.6%
Energy	13.0%	3.3%
Basic Materials	12.1%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	8.1%
Communication Services	6.2%	5.7%
Industrials	4.6%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	2.7%
Utilities	2.4%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.7%	0.9%
Healthcare	0.9%	2.5%

Return for Risk

PXH vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

PXH

PXH Risk / Return Rank: 77
PXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
PXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PXH Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PXH Martin Ratio Rank: 76

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 84
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EEM 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.

PXH vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	PXH	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.93	-0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.75	-0.28
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.53	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.97	4.39	-0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.79	16.94	-2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXH vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXH Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXH and EEM, 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

	PXH	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61	2.93	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.40	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.49	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.38	-0.24

Drawdowns

PXH vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXH drawdown since its inception was -63.63%, roughly equal to the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXH and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXH	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.63%	-66.43%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.24%	-13.52%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.72%	-17.29%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.59%	-37.71%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.42%	-39.82%	-0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.87%	-16.02%	-0.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	3.50%	-0.75%

Volatility

PXH vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) is 5.12%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.36%. This indicates that PXH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXH	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.12%	8.36%	-3.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.17%	17.36%	-5.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	19.93%	-4.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.77%	18.91%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.07%	20.50%	-0.43%

PXH vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXH has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXH vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

PXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than EEM's 1.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.72%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
PXH Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF	3.38%	4.02%	4.43%	4.84%	5.33%	4.69%	2.79%	3.28%	3.30%	2.74%	1.97%	3.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXH and EEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, PXH and EEM 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, PXH or EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to PXH (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXH dropped -63.63% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which ETF is better, PXH or EEM?

On 10-year performance, PXH leads with 10.99% vs 10.06% for EEM. On fees, PXH is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PXH has been the lower-risk option at 5.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PXH or EEM?

Over the 10-year period, PXH has performed better with a 10.99% return vs 10.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PXH or EEM?

PXH is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PXH or EEM?

PXH has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 1.72% for EEM.

What is the main difference between PXH and EEM?

PXH is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. PXH tracks FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PXH and 0.72% for EEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.61), 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.