STEM vs. VWOB

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

STEM (Stem, Inc.) is a stock, while VWOB (Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF) is Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg USD Emerging Markets Government RIC Capped Index. Over the past 5 years, STEM returned -58.60%/yr vs 1.94%/yr for VWOB. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STEM vs. VWOB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Stem, Inc. (STEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF (VWOB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STEM achieves a -58.01% return, which is significantly lower than VWOB's 1.60% return.

STEM

• 1D: -4.68%
• 1M: -18.77%
• 6M: -67.92%
• YTD: -58.01%
• 1Y: -26.77%
• 3Y*: -64.39%
• 5Y*: -58.60%
• 10Y*: —

VWOB

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -0.78%
• 6M: 1.49%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 1Y: 9.10%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: 1.94%
• 10Y*: 3.14%

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

STEM vs. VWOB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
STEM Stem, Inc.	-58.01%	24.79%	-84.46%	-56.60%	-52.87%	-7.28%	104.60%
VWOB Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF	1.60%	13.49%	5.20%	10.68%	-17.39%	-1.80%	5.15%

Correlation

The correlation between STEM and VWOB is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2020	0.26

Return for Risk

STEM vs. VWOB — Risk / Return Rank

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

STEM

STEM Risk / Return Rank: 38
STEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
STEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
STEM Omega Ratio Rank: 44
STEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
STEM Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VWOB

VWOB Risk / Return Rank: 63
VWOB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VWOB Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VWOB Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VWOB Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VWOB Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

STEM vs. VWOB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Stem, Inc. (STEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF (VWOB). 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.

	STEM	VWOB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.23	1.74	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	2.53	-2.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.33	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.34	2.04	-2.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.52	8.56	-9.08

STEM vs. VWOB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STEM Sharpe Ratio is -0.23, which is lower than the VWOB Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STEM and VWOB, 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

STEM vs. VWOB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STEM drawdown since its inception was -99.41%, which is greater than VWOB's maximum drawdown of -26.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STEM and VWOB.

Drawdown Indicators

	STEM	VWOB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.41%	-26.98%	-72.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-78.78%	-4.48%	-74.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-95.98%	-7.71%	-88.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-98.96%	-26.98%	-71.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.37%	-0.91%	-98.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-79.51%	-4.76%	-74.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	51.15%	1.07%	+50.08%

Volatility

STEM vs. VWOB - Volatility Comparison

Stem, Inc. (STEM) has a higher volatility of 16.52% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF (VWOB) at 1.34%. This indicates that STEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWOB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STEM	VWOB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.52%	1.34%	+15.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	59.88%	4.45%	+55.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	116.42%	5.25%	+111.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	114.03%	9.19%	+104.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	116.64%	9.34%	+107.30%

Dividends

STEM vs. VWOB - Dividend Comparison

STEM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VWOB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.86%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
STEM Stem, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWOB Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond ETF	5.86%	5.92%	6.08%	5.50%	5.30%	4.04%	4.18%	4.58%	4.52%	4.61%	4.71%	4.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STEM and VWOB in my portfolio?

STEM and VWOB have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STEM or VWOB?

STEM has higher volatility (16.52%) compared to VWOB (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STEM dropped -99.41% vs VWOB's -26.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWOB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.74 vs -0.23), 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.