SPEM vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPEM returned 9.45%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

SPEM vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEM achieves a 12.45% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SPEM has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 9.45%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

SPEM

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

SPEM vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	12.45%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and SPY is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2007	0.73

The correlation between SPEM and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (5 years) to 0.74 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPEM vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEM	SPY
Technology	28.2%	35.9%
Financial Services	20.2%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	10.3%
Industrials	8.5%	7.8%
Basic Materials	8.2%	1.8%
Communication Services	7.2%	11.3%
Energy	4.7%	3.6%
Healthcare	4.0%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	4.8%
Utilities	2.8%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	1.9%

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	SPEM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.38	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	3.24	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.16	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.14	14.72	-4.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEM vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and SPY, 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

	SPEM	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.38	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.82	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.87	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.59	-0.35

Drawdowns

SPEM vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.41%	-55.19%	-9.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-8.88%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-18.76%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.88%	-24.50%	-7.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	-33.72%	-2.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-0.70%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.75%	-9.05%	-5.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	1.91%	+1.19%

Volatility

SPEM vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 5.69% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	2.84%	+2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	8.90%	+4.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.92%	11.83%	+4.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.13%	17.05%	+0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.80%	17.94%	+0.86%

SPEM vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPEM vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.47%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEM and SPY in my portfolio?

SPEM and SPY have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEM or SPY?

SPEM has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, SPEM or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 9.45% for SPEM. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPEM or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 9.45%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEM or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SPEM.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between SPEM and SPY?

SPEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.11% for SPEM and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.98), 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.