SPEM vs. VUSXX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and VUSXX (Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund) are both funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while VUSXX is a Money Market fund actively managed by Vanguard. SPEM is passively managed, while VUSXX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPEM returned 5.60%/yr vs 1.56%/yr for VUSXX. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VUSXX.

Performance

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund (VUSXX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPEM achieves a 11.32% return, which is significantly higher than VUSXX's 1.51% return.

SPEM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 13.11%
• 1Y: 27.73%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 5.60%
• 10Y*: 9.63%

VUSXX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 3.98%
• 3Y*: 2.61%
• 5Y*: 1.56%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	11.32%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	-3.26%
VUSXX Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund	1.51%	4.25%	1.65%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and VUSXX 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	-0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 25, 2021	-0.04

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. VUSXX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VUSXX

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. VUSXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund (VUSXX). 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.

	SPEM	VUSXX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	3.68	-2.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	—	—

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the VUSXX Sharpe Ratio of 3.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and VUSXX, 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

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	VUSXX	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	-31.75%	0.00%	-31.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.40%	0.00%	-2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.73%	0.00%	-14.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	0.00%	+3.17%

Volatility

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund (VUSXX) at 0.31%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	VUSXX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	0.31%	+6.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.21%	0.79%	+13.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	1.12%	+15.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	0.75%	+16.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	0.74%	+18.09%

SPEM vs. VUSXX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSXX's 0.07% 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. VUSXX - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than VUSXX's 3.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VUSXX Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund	3.89%	4.15%	1.63%	0.43%	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 VUSXX in my portfolio?

SPEM and VUSXX 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 VUSXX?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to VUSXX (0.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs VUSXX's 0.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VUSXX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.68 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.