SPEU vs. FLEE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPEU (SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF) and FLEE (Franklin FTSE Europe ETF) are both Europe Equities funds - SPEU tracks the STOXX Europe Total Market while FLEE tracks the FTSE Developed Europe RIC Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPEU returned 8.03%/yr vs 8.65%/yr for FLEE. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

SPEU vs. FLEE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (FLEE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SPEU having a 5.34% return and FLEE slightly higher at 5.58%.

SPEU

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 2.61%
• YTD: 5.34%
• 6M: 8.65%
• 1Y: 17.93%
• 3Y*: 16.24%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: 9.17%

FLEE

• 1D: -1.22%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: 5.58%
• 6M: 8.37%
• 1Y: 17.27%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

SPEU vs. FLEE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	5.34%	35.80%	1.93%	19.85%	-15.97%	16.20%	6.35%	26.15%	-13.79%	1.13%
FLEE Franklin FTSE Europe ETF	5.58%	35.76%	2.03%	20.46%	-15.22%	16.84%	5.33%	24.41%	-14.97%	1.47%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEU and FLEE is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.95

The correlation between SPEU and FLEE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPEU vs. FLEE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPEU	FLEE
Financial Services	13.3%	23.8%
Healthcare	10.4%	12.8%
Technology	9.2%	8.5%
Industrials	6.1%	19.6%
Energy	5.3%	5.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	8.5%
Basic Materials	3.4%	5.8%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	6.6%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.1%
Utilities	1.5%	5.1%
Communication Services	0.9%	3.0%

Return for Risk

SPEU vs. FLEE — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEU

SPEU Risk / Return Rank: 32
SPEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
SPEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SPEU Omega Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SPEU Martin Ratio Rank: 35

FLEE

FLEE Risk / Return Rank: 30
FLEE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FLEE Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FLEE Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FLEE Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FLEE Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

SPEU vs. FLEE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (FLEE). 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.

	SPEU	FLEE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.17	1.11	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	1.64	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.20	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.40	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.47	5.13	+0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPEU vs. FLEE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.17, which is comparable to the FLEE Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEU and FLEE, 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

	SPEU	FLEE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.17	1.11	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.50	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.44	-0.13

Drawdowns

SPEU vs. FLEE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEU drawdown since its inception was -62.45%, which is greater than FLEE's maximum drawdown of -37.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEU and FLEE.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEU	FLEE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.45%	-37.27%	-25.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.09%	-12.37%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-14.59%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.70%	-31.62%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.56%	-3.03%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.85%	-7.11%	-6.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.29%	3.38%	-0.09%

Volatility

SPEU vs. FLEE - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF (SPEU) and Franklin FTSE Europe ETF (FLEE) have volatilities of 5.75% and 5.78%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEU	FLEE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.75%	5.78%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.85%	12.98%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.42%	15.59%	-0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	17.37%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.51%	18.95%	-0.44%

SPEU vs. FLEE - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SPEU and FLEE have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPEU vs. FLEE - Dividend Comparison

SPEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than FLEE's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLEE Franklin FTSE Europe ETF	2.61%	2.76%	3.93%	2.57%	3.48%	3.61%	1.88%	3.02%	3.85%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEU SPDR Portfolio Europe ETF	3.40%	3.47%	3.29%	2.91%	3.08%	2.67%	2.29%	3.19%	3.99%	2.82%	3.66%	3.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEU and FLEE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, SPEU and FLEE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPEU or FLEE?

FLEE has higher volatility (5.78%) compared to SPEU (5.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEU dropped -62.45% vs FLEE's -37.27%.

Which ETF is better, SPEU or FLEE?

On 5-year performance, FLEE leads with 8.65% vs 8.03% for SPEU. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPEU or FLEE?

Over the 5-year period, FLEE has performed better with a 8.65% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPEU or FLEE?

SPEU and FLEE have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPEU or FLEE?

SPEU has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.61% for FLEE.

What is the main difference between SPEU and FLEE?

SPEU tracks STOXX Europe Total Market, while FLEE tracks FTSE Developed Europe RIC Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Franklin Templeton.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.17 vs 1.11), 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.