SEEM vs. HEEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SEEM (SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and HEEM (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. SEEM is actively managed, while HEEM is passively managed. Over the past year, SEEM returned 57.95% vs 59.73% for HEEM. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEEM charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for HEEM.

Performance

SEEM vs. HEEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SEEM having a 29.50% return and HEEM slightly lower at 28.24%.

SEEM

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 6.25%
• YTD: 29.50%
• 6M: 33.05%
• 1Y: 57.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HEEM

• 1D: -1.54%
• 1M: 6.59%
• YTD: 28.24%
• 6M: 30.05%
• 1Y: 59.73%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 10.08%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

SEEM vs. HEEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	29.50%	38.16%	-6.86%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	28.24%	34.02%	-5.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SEEM and HEEM is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2024	0.91

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

Return for Risk

SEEM vs. HEEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEEM

SEEM Risk / Return Rank: 85
SEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

HEEM

HEEM Risk / Return Rank: 92
HEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
HEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
HEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
HEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

SEEM vs. HEEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM). 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.

	SEEM	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.95	3.39	-0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	4.42	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.63	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	5.54	-1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.48	22.18	-5.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEEM vs. HEEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.95, which is comparable to the HEEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEEM and HEEM, 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

	SEEM	HEEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.95	3.39	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.85	0.49	+1.37

Drawdowns

SEEM vs. HEEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEEM drawdown since its inception was -14.34%, smaller than the maximum HEEM drawdown of -33.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEEM and HEEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEEM	HEEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.34%	-33.53%	+19.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.01%	-10.83%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.82%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.60%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.24%	-2.16%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.64%	-11.13%	+8.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	2.70%	+0.83%

Volatility

SEEM vs. HEEM - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) has a higher volatility of 8.19% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) at 7.72%. This indicates that SEEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEEM	HEEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.19%	7.72%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.07%	15.39%	+1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.74%	17.75%	+1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.80%	17.02%	+2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.80%	17.97%	+1.83%

SEEM vs. HEEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEEM has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than HEEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEEM vs. HEEM - Dividend Comparison

SEEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, less than HEEM's 3.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	3.10%	3.98%	2.38%	2.75%	7.49%	1.93%	1.49%	3.04%	2.37%	2.05%	1.84%	6.28%
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.45%	3.31%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEEM and HEEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SEEM and HEEM 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, SEEM or HEEM?

SEEM has higher volatility (8.19%) compared to HEEM (7.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEEM dropped -14.34% vs HEEM's -33.53%.

Which ETF is better, SEEM or HEEM?

On 1-year performance, HEEM leads with 59.73% vs 57.95% for SEEM. On fees, SEEM is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, HEEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEEM or HEEM?

Over the 1-year period, HEEM has performed better with a 59.73% return vs 57.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEEM or HEEM?

SEEM is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for HEEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEEM or HEEM?

HEEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.10%, compared with 2.45% for SEEM.

What is the main difference between SEEM and HEEM?

They also come from different issuers: SEI and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEEM and 0.72% for HEEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 2.95), 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.