SEMI vs. XCEM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SEMI (Columbia Select Technology ETF) and XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMI is a Semiconductors fund actively managed by Columbia, while XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. SEMI is actively managed, while XCEM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEMI returned 22.20%/yr vs 20.20%/yr for XCEM. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SEMI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for XCEM.

Performance

SEMI vs. XCEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEMI achieves a 20.82% return, which is significantly lower than XCEM's 23.54% return.

SEMI

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: -2.42%
• 6M: 17.71%
• YTD: 20.82%
• 1Y: 36.55%
• 3Y*: 22.20%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.42%

XCEM

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: -6.40%
• 6M: 13.73%
• YTD: 23.54%
• 1Y: 44.82%
• 3Y*: 20.20%
• 5Y*: 10.30%
• 10Y*: 10.60%
• ALL TIME*: 11.31%

*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)
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	$400.16K	$369.67K	$553.99K
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	$6.73M	$7.60M	$9.71M

SEMI vs. XCEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	20.82%	24.91%	15.87%	45.37%	-23.94%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	23.54%	34.05%	0.42%	19.96%	-15.28%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMI and XCEM is 0.82, 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.	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2022	0.71

The correlation between SEMI and XCEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (all time) to 0.82 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SEMI vs. XCEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEMI	XCEM
Technology	86.3%	50.4%
Communication Services	7.0%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	4.6%
Financial Services	3.3%	17.2%
Basic Materials	-	5.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	1.8%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	2.3%
Industrials	-	9.6%
Real Estate	-	0.9%
Utilities	-	1.8%

Return for Risk

SEMI vs. XCEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMI

SEMI Risk / Return Rank: 54
SEMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SEMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SEMI Omega Ratio Rank: 48
SEMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SEMI Martin Ratio Rank: 60

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 71
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
XCEM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SEMI vs. XCEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM). 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.

	SEMI	XCEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.67	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.73	2.20	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.31	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.42	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.18	8.62	-1.44

SEMI vs. XCEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMI Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the XCEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMI and XCEM, 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

SEMI vs. XCEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMI drawdown since its inception was -33.46%, smaller than the maximum XCEM drawdown of -41.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMI and XCEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMI	XCEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.46%	-41.24%	+7.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.42%	-18.20%	+2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.93%	-18.92%	-14.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.57%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.11%	-13.77%	+4.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.79%	-8.58%	-1.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	5.09%	-0.36%

Volatility

SEMI vs. XCEM - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) at 10.10%. This indicates that SEMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XCEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEMI	XCEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.21%	10.10%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.51%	24.69%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.60%	26.35%	+1.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.11%	19.10%	+13.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.11%	20.11%	+12.00%

SEMI vs. XCEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEMI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than XCEM's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEMI vs. XCEM - Dividend Comparison

SEMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.71%, more than XCEM's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	3.71%	4.48%	0.96%	0.87%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.63%	3.25%	2.76%	1.22%	2.42%	1.94%	1.63%	2.11%	2.70%	9.56%	1.24%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEMI and XCEM in my portfolio?

SEMI and XCEM have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEMI or XCEM?

SEMI has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to XCEM (10.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEMI dropped -33.46% vs XCEM's -41.24%.

Which ETF is better, SEMI or XCEM?

On 3-year performance, SEMI leads with 22.20% vs 20.20% for XCEM. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, XCEM has been the lower-risk option at 10.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEMI or XCEM?

Over the 3-year period, SEMI has performed better with a 22.20% return vs 20.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEMI or XCEM?

XCEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SEMI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEMI or XCEM?

SEMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.71%, compared with 2.63% for XCEM.

What is the main difference between SEMI and XCEM?

SEMI is categorized as Semiconductors, while XCEM is Emerging Markets Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SEMI and 0.16% for XCEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XCEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.23), 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.