PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
SPEM vs. IXC
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SPEM vs. IXC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and IXC (iShares Global Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while IXC is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEM returned 9.63%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for IXC. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IXC.

Performance

SPEM vs. IXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEM achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly lower than IXC's 29.17% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SPEM having a 9.63% annualized return and IXC not far ahead at 10.05%.

SPEM

1D
0.87%
1M
2.50%
YTD
11.32%
6M
13.11%
1Y
27.73%
3Y*
17.37%
5Y*
5.60%
10Y*
9.63%

IXC

1D
0.28%
1M
-3.42%
YTD
29.17%
6M
28.84%
1Y
36.66%
3Y*
17.43%
5Y*
19.14%
10Y*
10.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SPEM vs. IXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		11.32%25.63%11.40%10.51%-17.90%1.51%14.55%19.69%-13.26%34.82%
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		29.17%13.98%1.95%3.92%48.51%40.88%-31.00%12.67%-14.85%5.54%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and IXC is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.04

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.24

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.33

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.46

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 23, 2007

0.62

The correlation between SPEM and IXC shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEM vs. IXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SPEM
IXC

Technology

32.1%

-

Financial Services

19.2%

-

Consumer Cyclical

9.6%

-

Industrials

8.3%

-

Basic Materials

8.0%

-

Communication Services

6.7%

-

Energy

4.2%
100.0%

Healthcare

3.7%

-

Consumer Defensive

3.6%

-

Utilities

2.8%

-

Real Estate

1.8%

-

Technology

SPEM
32.1%
IXC

-

Financial Services

SPEM
19.2%
IXC

-

Consumer Cyclical

SPEM
9.6%
IXC

-

Industrials

SPEM
8.3%
IXC

-

Basic Materials

SPEM
8.0%
IXC

-

Communication Services

SPEM
6.7%
IXC

-

Energy

SPEM
4.2%
IXC
100.0%

Healthcare

SPEM
3.7%
IXC

-

Consumer Defensive

SPEM
3.6%
IXC

-

Utilities

SPEM
2.8%
IXC

-

Real Estate

SPEM
1.8%
IXC

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF

iShares Global Energy ETF

Often compared with SPEM:
SPEM vs. VWOSPEM vs. EEMSPEM vs. EMXCSPEM vs. ESGESPEM vs. EMGFSPEM vs. EMCRSPEM vs. BKEM
Often compared with IXC:
IXC vs. XLEIXC vs. VDEIXC vs. IYEIXC vs. OIHIXC vs. IUES.LIXC vs. DDMIXC vs. XDW0.DE

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. IXC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SPEM
SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 4949
Sortino Ratio Rank
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
IXC
IXC Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
IXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 6969
Sortino Ratio Rank
IXC Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
IXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
IXC Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SPEM vs. IXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC). 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.

SPEMIXCDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.55
2.08

-0.53

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.16
2.70

-0.54

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.34

-0.05

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.28

4.05

-1.77

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.16

11.55

-3.39

SPEM vs. IXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the IXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and IXC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

SPEM vs. IXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, smaller than the maximum IXC drawdown of -67.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and IXC.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

SPEMIXCDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-64.41%

-67.88%

+3.47%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.36%

-9.66%

-1.70%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.62%

-19.06%

+1.44%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-31.75%

-24.93%

-6.82%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.06%

-64.16%

+28.10%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.40%

-7.04%

+4.64%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.73%

-17.47%

+2.74%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.17%

3.38%

-0.21%

Volatility

SPEM vs. IXC - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) at 6.44%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

SPEMIXCDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.87%

6.44%

+0.43%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.21%

15.63%

-1.42%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.67%

18.79%

-2.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.26%

23.53%

-6.27%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.83%

26.84%

-8.01%

SPEM vs. IXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than IXC's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPEM vs. IXC - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than IXC's 2.85% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IXC
iShares Global Energy ETF		2.85%3.68%4.56%3.45%4.76%3.98%4.86%7.00%3.51%3.05%2.86%3.77%
SPEM
SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF		2.49%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

SPEM and IXC have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to IXC (6.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs IXC's -67.88%.

On 10-year performance, IXC leads with 10.05% vs 9.63% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, IXC has been the lower-risk option at 6.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IXC has performed better with a 10.05% return vs 9.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for IXC.

IXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.85%, compared with 2.49% for SPEM.

SPEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IXC is Energy Equities. SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while IXC tracks S&P Global 1200 Energy Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SPEM and 0.40% for IXC.

IXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.55), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for SPEM and IXC

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer