SPEM vs. SWVXX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and SWVXX (Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares) are both funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while SWVXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Charles Schwab. SPEM is passively managed, while SWVXX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPEM returned 5.19%/yr vs 3.14%/yr for SWVXX. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for SWVXX.

Performance

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEM achieves a 8.69% return, which is significantly higher than SWVXX's 1.45% return.

SPEM

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -3.31%
• YTD: 8.69%
• 6M: 10.06%
• 1Y: 24.84%
• 3Y*: 16.86%
• 5Y*: 5.19%
• 10Y*: 9.23%

SWVXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.71%
• 5Y*: 3.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	8.69%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	-3.26%
SWVXX Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares	1.45%	4.15%	5.16%	5.04%	0.00%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and SWVXX is -0.03, 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	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	-0.02

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. SWVXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 49
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. SWVXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX). 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	SWVXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	3.71	-2.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.20	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.95	—	—
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. SWVXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is lower than the SWVXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and SWVXX, 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	SWVXX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	3.71	-2.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	2.95	-2.65
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	2.94	-2.71

Drawdowns

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, which is greater than SWVXX's maximum drawdown of 0.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and SWVXX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	SWVXX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.41%	0.00%	-64.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	0.00%	-11.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	0.00%	-17.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.76%	0.00%	-31.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.70%	0.00%	-4.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.74%	0.00%	-14.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	0.00%	+3.13%

Volatility

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.56% compared to Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares (SWVXX) at 0.29%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SWVXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	SWVXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.56%	0.29%	+6.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.95%	0.76%	+13.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.47%	1.10%	+15.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	1.09%	+16.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.84%	1.09%	+17.75%

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than SWVXX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPEM vs. SWVXX - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than SWVXX's 3.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.55%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
SWVXX Schwab Prime Advantage Money Fund Investor Shares	3.77%	4.06%	5.02%	4.91%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEM and SWVXX in my portfolio?

SPEM and SWVXX have a correlation of -0.03, 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 SWVXX?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.56%) compared to SWVXX (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs SWVXX's 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWVXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.71 vs 1.52), 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.