QEMM vs. SPYM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QEMM (SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF) and SPYM (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QEMM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Factor Mix A-Series (USD), while SPYM is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QEMM returned 8.86%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for SPYM. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QEMM charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SPYM.

Performance

QEMM vs. SPYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QEMM achieves a 21.11% return, which is significantly higher than SPYM's 8.21% return. Over the past 10 years, QEMM has underperformed SPYM with an annualized return of 8.86%, while SPYM has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.

QEMM

• 1D: -3.77%
• 1M: 1.15%
• YTD: 21.11%
• 6M: 21.59%
• 1Y: 35.60%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 7.03%
• 10Y*: 8.86%

SPYM

• 1D: -1.44%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 8.21%
• 6M: 7.24%
• 1Y: 23.73%
• 3Y*: 20.77%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

QEMM vs. SPYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QEMM SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF	21.11%	21.92%	4.98%	12.50%	-17.82%	6.34%	9.95%	15.40%	-13.33%	31.50%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	8.21%	17.79%	25.00%	26.24%	-18.09%	28.78%	18.49%	31.99%	-4.78%	21.30%

Correlation

The correlation between QEMM and SPYM is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.61

The correlation between QEMM and SPYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.61 (all time) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QEMM vs. SPYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QEMM	SPYM
Technology	25.2%	38.0%
Financial Services	13.1%	11.9%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	9.4%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.8%
Communication Services	2.4%	10.1%
Energy	2.4%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	4.6%
Industrials	1.8%	8.0%
Utilities	1.5%	2.6%
Healthcare	0.9%	8.5%
Real Estate	0.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

QEMM vs. SPYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QEMM

QEMM Risk / Return Rank: 66
QEMM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
QEMM Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QEMM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QEMM Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QEMM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

SPYM

SPYM Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SPYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPYM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPYM Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

QEMM vs. SPYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM). 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.

	QEMM	SPYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.92	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.61	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.35	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	2.68	+0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.14	11.98	+0.16

QEMM vs. SPYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QEMM Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the SPYM Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QEMM and SPYM, 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

QEMM vs. SPYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QEMM drawdown since its inception was -36.89%, smaller than the maximum SPYM drawdown of -54.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QEMM and SPYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QEMM	SPYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.89%	-54.46%	+17.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-8.90%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.03%	-18.72%	+1.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.19%	-24.48%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.89%	-33.87%	-3.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.06%	-3.14%	-0.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.60%	-7.14%	-3.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.94%	1.99%	+0.95%

Volatility

QEMM vs. SPYM - Volatility Comparison

SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM) has a higher volatility of 9.31% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) at 4.83%. This indicates that QEMM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QEMM	SPYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.31%	4.83%	+4.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.80%	9.83%	+6.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.46%	12.46%	+6.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.64%	16.90%	-1.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	18.03%	-1.05%

QEMM vs. SPYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QEMM has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYM's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

QEMM vs. SPYM - Dividend Comparison

QEMM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.46%, more than SPYM's 1.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QEMM SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF	4.46%	4.90%	5.17%	4.88%	4.07%	2.35%	2.48%	3.05%	2.86%	2.11%	2.03%	2.14%
SPYM State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF	1.30%	1.13%	1.28%	1.44%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.79%	2.23%	1.75%	1.97%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QEMM and SPYM in my portfolio?

QEMM and SPYM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QEMM or SPYM?

QEMM has higher volatility (9.31%) compared to SPYM (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QEMM dropped -36.89% vs SPYM's -54.46%.

Which ETF is better, QEMM or SPYM?

On 10-year performance, SPYM leads with 15.61% vs 8.86% for QEMM. On fees, SPYM is cheaper at 0.02% per year. On volatility, SPYM has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QEMM or SPYM?

Over the 10-year period, SPYM has performed better with a 15.61% return vs 8.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QEMM or SPYM?

SPYM is cheaper with a 0.02% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QEMM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QEMM or SPYM?

QEMM has the higher dividend yield at 4.46%, compared with 1.30% for SPYM.

What is the main difference between QEMM and SPYM?

QEMM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SPYM is S&P 500. QEMM tracks MSCI EM Factor Mix A-Series (USD), while SPYM tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for QEMM and 0.02% for SPYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QEMM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.92), 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.