SEEM vs. SPEM

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

SEEM (SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. SEEM is actively managed, while SPEM is passively managed. Over the past year, SEEM returned 41.57% vs 22.62% for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SEEM charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

SEEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) 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, SEEM achieves a 21.89% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 10.33% return.

SEEM

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -2.18%
• 6M: 11.47%
• YTD: 21.89%
• 1Y: 41.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 28.48%

SPEM

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 0.02%
• 6M: 4.39%
• YTD: 10.33%
• 1Y: 22.62%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 6.50%
• 10Y*: 8.32%
• ALL TIME*: 5.56%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$2.35M	$2.55M	$2.06M
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	$92.35M	$109.23M	$122.58M

SEEM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	21.89%	38.16%	-6.66%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	10.33%	25.63%	-5.50%

Correlation

The correlation between SEEM and SPEM is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 10, 2024	0.93

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

Return for Risk

SEEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SEEM

SEEM Risk / Return Rank: 74
SEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
SEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
SEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
SEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 73

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 51
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SEEM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) 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.

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.

	SEEM	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.28	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	1.81	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.24	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	2.00	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.13	6.59	+2.54

SEEM vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEEM 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.

Drawdowns

SEEM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEEM drawdown since its inception was -14.34%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEEM and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEEM	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.34%	-64.41%	+50.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.01%	-11.36%	-2.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.62%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.03%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.06%	-3.76%	-5.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.95%	-14.65%	+11.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.44%	3.44%	+1.00%

Volatility

SEEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) has a higher volatility of 8.72% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.72%. This indicates that SEEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEEM	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.72%	5.72%	+3.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.54%	15.29%	+6.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.71%	17.72%	+5.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.59%	17.36%	+4.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.59%	18.80%	+2.79%

SEEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEEM has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

SEEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, more than SPEM's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEEM SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.73%	3.31%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.54%	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 SEEM and SPEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SEEM and SPEM 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 SPEM?

SEEM has higher volatility (8.72%) compared to SPEM (5.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEEM dropped -14.34% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, SEEM or SPEM?

On 1-year performance, SEEM leads with 41.57% vs 22.62% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEEM or SPEM?

Over the 1-year period, SEEM has performed better with a 41.57% return vs 22.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEEM or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for SEEM.

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

SEEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 2.54% for SPEM.

What is the main difference between SEEM and SPEM?

They also come from different issuers: SEI and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for SEEM and 0.07% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.72 vs 1.28), 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.