STXE vs. XCEM
STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) and XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - STXE is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, STXE returned 28.56%/yr vs 24.94%/yr for XCEM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STXE charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for XCEM.
Performance
STXE vs. XCEM - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, STXE achieves a 44.03% return, which is significantly higher than XCEM's 34.20% return.
STXE
- 1D
- -6.43%
- 1M
- 6.24%
- YTD
- 44.03%
- 6M
- 45.98%
- 1Y
- 75.87%
- 3Y*
- 28.56%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XCEM
- 1D
- -6.33%
- 1M
- 4.21%
- YTD
- 34.20%
- 6M
- 36.41%
- 1Y
- 61.17%
- 3Y*
- 24.94%
- 5Y*
- 11.50%
- 10Y*
- 12.62%
STXE vs. XCEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 44.03% | 34.23% | 2.09% | 12.38% |
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 34.20% | 34.05% | 0.42% | 11.29% |
Correlation
The correlation between STXE and XCEM 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023 | 0.92 |
The correlation between STXE and XCEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
STXE vs. XCEM — Risk / Return Rank
STXE
XCEM
STXE vs. XCEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) and Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM). 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.
| STXE | XCEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.52 | 1.47 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.26 | 4.25 | +1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.32 | 16.39 | +3.93 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
STXE vs. XCEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum STXE drawdown since its inception was -18.92%, smaller than the maximum XCEM drawdown of -41.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STXE and XCEM.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| STXE | XCEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.92% | -41.24% | +22.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.51% | -14.46% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.92% | -18.92% | 0.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.57% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -41.24% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.43% | -6.33% | -0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.72% | -8.57% | +4.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.74% | 3.74% | 0.00% |
Volatility
STXE vs. XCEM - Volatility Comparison
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a higher volatility of 15.52% compared to Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) at 14.01%. This indicates that STXE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XCEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| STXE | XCEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 15.52% | 14.01% | +1.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.95% | 22.56% | +2.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.68% | 24.28% | +2.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.08% | 18.60% | +0.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.08% | 19.94% | -0.86% |
STXE vs. XCEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
STXE has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than XCEM's 0.16% expense ratio.
Dividends
STXE vs. XCEM - Dividend Comparison
STXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than XCEM's 2.42% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 1.87% | 2.66% | 3.22% | 1.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 2.42% | 3.25% | 2.76% | 1.22% | 2.42% | 1.94% | 1.63% | 2.11% | 2.70% | 9.56% | 1.24% | 2.63% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, STXE and XCEM 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.
STXE has higher volatility (15.52%) compared to XCEM (14.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STXE dropped -18.92% vs XCEM's -41.24%.
On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 28.56% vs 24.94% for XCEM. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, XCEM has been the lower-risk option at 14.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 28.56% return vs 24.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XCEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for STXE.
XCEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.87% for STXE.
STXE is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while XCEM is Emerging Markets Equities. STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Strive and Ameriprise Financial. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for STXE and 0.16% for XCEM.
STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.53), 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.
Find the right allocation for STXE and XCEM
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer