QAT vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QAT (iShares MSCI Qatar ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - QAT tracks the MSCI All Qatar Capped Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QAT returned 4.34%/yr vs 9.61%/yr for SPEM. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QAT charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

QAT vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) 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, QAT achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly lower than SPEM's 14.06% return. Over the past 10 years, QAT has underperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 4.34%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.61% annualized return.

QAT

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 0.05%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 6M: 1.39%
• 1Y: 3.73%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 3.48%
• 10Y*: 4.34%

SPEM

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 14.06%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 33.51%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

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

QAT vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QAT iShares MSCI Qatar ETF	-0.05%	8.81%	5.20%	2.72%	-7.23%	14.42%	6.94%	-0.44%	20.03%	-11.66%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	14.06%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between QAT and SPEM is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2014	0.34

QAT vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QAT	SPEM
Financial Services	54.3%	20.2%
Industrials	13.2%	8.5%
Basic Materials	12.7%	8.2%
Communication Services	6.7%	7.2%
Real Estate	3.9%	1.9%
Energy	3.3%	4.7%
Utilities	2.6%	2.8%
Healthcare	0.8%	4.0%
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	10.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	3.9%
Technology	0.5%	28.2%

Return for Risk

QAT vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QAT

QAT Risk / Return Rank: 12
QAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
QAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
QAT Omega Ratio Rank: 12
QAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
QAT Martin Ratio Rank: 12

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

QAT vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) 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.

	QAT	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	2.12	-1.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.48	2.91	-2.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.39	-0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.38	3.03	-2.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.73	11.13	-10.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QAT vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAT Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAT 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

	QAT	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28	2.12	-1.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.36	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.51	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.24	-0.17

Drawdowns

QAT vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAT drawdown since its inception was -45.21%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAT and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QAT	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.21%	-64.41%	+19.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.60%	-11.36%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.41%	-17.62%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.17%	-31.88%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.04%	-36.06%	+2.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.48%	0.00%	-12.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.18%	-14.75%	-4.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.52%	3.10%	+2.42%

Volatility

QAT vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Qatar ETF (QAT) is 5.05%, while SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that QAT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QAT	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.05%	5.50%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.50%	13.20%	-2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.36%	15.86%	-2.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.01%	17.13%	-2.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.56%	18.80%	-1.24%

QAT vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QAT has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

QAT vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

QAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.51%, more than SPEM's 2.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QAT iShares MSCI Qatar ETF	3.51%	3.51%	5.90%	3.92%	4.78%	2.33%	2.63%	3.57%	4.63%	4.10%	3.51%	4.49%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.43%	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 QAT and SPEM in my portfolio?

QAT and SPEM have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QAT or SPEM?

SPEM has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to QAT (5.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAT dropped -45.21% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, QAT or SPEM?

On 10-year performance, SPEM leads with 9.61% vs 4.34% for QAT. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, QAT has been the lower-risk option at 5.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QAT or SPEM?

Over the 10-year period, SPEM has performed better with a 9.61% return vs 4.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QAT or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for QAT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QAT or SPEM?

QAT has the higher dividend yield at 3.51%, compared with 2.43% for SPEM.

What is the main difference between QAT and SPEM?

QAT tracks MSCI All Qatar Capped Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for QAT and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 0.28), 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.