SFGIX vs. XCEM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SFGIX (Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund) and XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) are both funds - SFGIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Seafarer Funds, while XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. Over the past 10 years, SFGIX returned 8.63%/yr vs 12.62%/yr for XCEM. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SFGIX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for XCEM.

Performance

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) 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, SFGIX achieves a 19.11% return, which is significantly lower than XCEM's 34.20% return. Over the past 10 years, SFGIX has underperformed XCEM with an annualized return of 8.63%, while XCEM has yielded a comparatively higher 12.62% annualized return.

SFGIX

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 19.11%
• 6M: 20.08%
• 1Y: 39.31%
• 3Y*: 16.50%
• 5Y*: 6.03%
• 10Y*: 8.63%

XCEM

• 1D: -6.33%
• 1M: 4.21%
• YTD: 34.20%
• 6M: 36.41%
• 1Y: 61.17%
• 3Y*: 24.94%
• 5Y*: 11.50%
• 10Y*: 12.62%

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

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SFGIX Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund	19.11%	32.47%	-5.52%	13.80%	-12.75%	-2.39%	22.17%	23.04%	-18.14%	25.99%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	34.20%	34.05%	0.42%	19.96%	-17.59%	7.87%	9.47%	19.74%	-11.75%	34.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SFGIX and XCEM is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 2, 2015	0.74

The correlation between SFGIX and XCEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SFGIX vs. XCEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SFGIX

SFGIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
SFGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
SFGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SFGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SFGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
SFGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 82
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
XCEM Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) 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.

	SFGIX	XCEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.53	-0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.12	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.47	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	4.25	-1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.23	16.39	-5.16

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SFGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the XCEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SFGIX 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

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SFGIX drawdown since its inception was -35.64%, smaller than the maximum XCEM drawdown of -41.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SFGIX and XCEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SFGIX	XCEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.64%	-41.24%	+5.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-14.46%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.82%	-18.92%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.33%	-29.57%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.64%	-41.24%	+5.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.14%	-6.33%	+3.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.53%	-8.57%	-0.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.52%	3.74%	-0.22%

Volatility

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund (SFGIX) is 7.47%, while Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has a volatility of 14.01%. This indicates that SFGIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XCEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SFGIX	XCEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.47%	14.01%	-6.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.83%	22.56%	-7.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.63%	24.28%	-7.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	18.60%	-3.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.32%	19.94%	-4.62%

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SFGIX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than XCEM's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

SFGIX vs. XCEM - Dividend Comparison

SFGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, more than XCEM's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SFGIX Seafarer Overseas Growth and Income Fund	2.84%	3.39%	3.28%	1.70%	1.90%	8.82%	2.24%	2.49%	8.74%	2.95%	0.93%	1.30%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.42%	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 SFGIX and XCEM in my portfolio?

SFGIX and XCEM have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SFGIX or XCEM?

XCEM has higher volatility (14.01%) compared to SFGIX (7.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SFGIX dropped -35.64% vs XCEM's -41.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XCEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.39), 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.