THW vs. ABEMX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

THW (abrdn World Healthcare Fund) and ABEMX (abrdn Emerging Markets Fund) are both mutual funds - THW is a Health & Biotech Equities fund actively managed by Aberdeen, while ABEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Aberdeen. Over the past 10 years, THW returned 9.33%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for ABEMX. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. THW charges 1.54%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for ABEMX.

Performance

THW vs. ABEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, THW achieves a 2.78% return, which is significantly lower than ABEMX's 32.58% return. Over the past 10 years, THW has underperformed ABEMX with an annualized return of 9.33%, while ABEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.47% annualized return.

THW

• 1D: -2.18%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 2.78%
• 6M: 5.70%
• 1Y: 36.10%
• 3Y*: 7.61%
• 5Y*: 5.98%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

ABEMX

• 1D: 2.90%
• 1M: 12.15%
• YTD: 32.58%
• 6M: 34.57%
• 1Y: 64.62%
• 3Y*: 23.07%
• 5Y*: 7.66%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

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

THW vs. ABEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	2.78%	31.10%	5.35%	-11.52%	-1.21%	12.03%	26.40%	32.98%	-5.40%	16.95%
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	32.58%	32.43%	3.98%	6.67%	-26.23%	7.15%	27.65%	20.42%	-14.65%	30.25%

Correlation

The correlation between THW and ABEMX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2015	0.38

The correlation between THW and ABEMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (1 year) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

THW vs. ABEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

THW

THW Risk / Return Rank: 47
THW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
THW Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
THW Omega Ratio Rank: 36
THW Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
THW Martin Ratio Rank: 56

ABEMX

ABEMX Risk / Return Rank: 91
ABEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ABEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
ABEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ABEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ABEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

THW vs. ABEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) and abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX). 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.

	THW	ABEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	3.48	-1.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	4.32	-1.80
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.64	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	4.69	-1.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.46	18.59	-7.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

THW vs. ABEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current THW Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is lower than the ABEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of THW and ABEMX, 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

	THW	ABEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	3.48	-1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.41	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.56	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.37	-0.09

Drawdowns

THW vs. ABEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum THW drawdown since its inception was -37.36%, smaller than the maximum ABEMX drawdown of -54.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THW and ABEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	THW	ABEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.36%	-54.52%	+17.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-13.68%	+2.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.48%	-18.62%	-9.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.53%	-36.56%	+5.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.36%	-38.44%	+1.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	0.00%	-2.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.71%	-13.10%	+3.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	3.45%	-0.27%

Volatility

THW vs. ABEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) is 4.57%, while abrdn Emerging Markets Fund (ABEMX) has a volatility of 8.95%. This indicates that THW experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	THW	ABEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	8.95%	-4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	16.50%	-3.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.89%	19.08%	+0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.62%	18.70%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.19%	18.69%	+2.50%

THW vs. ABEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

THW has a 1.54% expense ratio, which is higher than ABEMX's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

THW vs. ABEMX - Dividend Comparison

THW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.17%, more than ABEMX's 4.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABEMX abrdn Emerging Markets Fund	4.61%	6.11%	0.99%	1.42%	1.82%	22.95%	0.68%	1.85%	1.57%	1.32%	1.23%	2.47%
THW abrdn World Healthcare Fund	11.17%	10.96%	12.72%	12.00%	9.56%	8.60%	8.85%	10.11%	12.08%	10.29%	10.91%	3.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both THW and ABEMX in my portfolio?

THW and ABEMX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, THW or ABEMX?

ABEMX has higher volatility (8.95%) compared to THW (4.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THW dropped -37.36% vs ABEMX's -54.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.48 vs 1.82), 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.