TLTE vs. QEMM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

TLTE (FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index) and QEMM (SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - TLTE tracks the Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index while QEMM tracks the MSCI EM Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TLTE returned 7.90%/yr vs 7.66%/yr for QEMM. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. TLTE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QEMM.

Performance

TLTE vs. QEMM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TLTE achieves a 15.71% return, which is significantly lower than QEMM's 19.94% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with TLTE having a 7.90% annualized return and QEMM not far behind at 7.66%.

TLTE

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: -1.41%
• 6M: 6.23%
• YTD: 15.71%
• 1Y: 30.47%
• 3Y*: 17.77%
• 5Y*: 7.25%
• 10Y*: 7.90%
• ALL TIME*: 5.51%

QEMM

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 11.50%
• YTD: 19.94%
• 1Y: 31.80%
• 3Y*: 16.98%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: 7.66%
• ALL TIME*: 5.41%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QEMM SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF	$197.01K	$214.03K	$314.95K
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index	$291.32K	$272.95K	$346.48K

TLTE vs. QEMM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index	15.71%	30.21%	3.53%	13.62%	-17.31%	4.79%	12.10%	14.51%	-17.44%	32.82%
QEMM SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF	19.94%	21.92%	4.98%	12.50%	-17.82%	6.34%	9.95%	15.40%	-13.33%	31.50%

Correlation

The correlation between TLTE and QEMM is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.86

The correlation between TLTE and QEMM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

TLTE vs. QEMM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TLTE	QEMM
Technology	34.6%	36.5%
Financial Services	18.7%	19.8%
Industrials	10.1%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	8.0%
Basic Materials	7.0%	6.7%
Communication Services	4.2%	6.6%
Real Estate	3.8%	0.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	5.0%
Energy	3.1%	4.3%
Healthcare	2.6%	3.4%
Utilities	2.4%	2.4%

Return for Risk

TLTE vs. QEMM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

TLTE

TLTE Risk / Return Rank: 56
TLTE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
TLTE Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
TLTE Omega Ratio Rank: 57
TLTE Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
TLTE Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QEMM

QEMM Risk / Return Rank: 71
QEMM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
QEMM Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
QEMM Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QEMM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QEMM Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

TLTE vs. QEMM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) and SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM). 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.

	TLTE	QEMM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.65	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	2.23	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.31	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	3.07	-0.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.13	9.25	-2.12

TLTE vs. QEMM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TLTE Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the QEMM Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TLTE and QEMM, 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

TLTE vs. QEMM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TLTE drawdown since its inception was -44.21%, which is greater than QEMM's maximum drawdown of -36.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TLTE and QEMM.

Drawdown Indicators

	TLTE	QEMM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.21%	-36.89%	-7.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.04%	-10.40%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.43%	-17.03%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.97%	-27.12%	-3.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.21%	-36.89%	-7.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.55%	-4.98%	-3.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.08%	-10.56%	-1.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	3.45%	+0.84%

Volatility

TLTE vs. QEMM - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index (TLTE) has a higher volatility of 8.36% compared to SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF (QEMM) at 6.18%. This indicates that TLTE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QEMM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TLTE	QEMM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.36%	6.18%	+2.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.72%	17.52%	+3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.54%	19.37%	+3.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.76%	15.79%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	17.02%	+1.71%

TLTE vs. QEMM - Expense Ratio Comparison

TLTE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than QEMM's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

TLTE vs. QEMM - Dividend Comparison

TLTE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, less than QEMM's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QEMM SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets StrategicFactors ETF	4.50%	4.90%	5.17%	4.88%	4.07%	2.35%	2.48%	3.05%	2.86%	2.11%	2.03%	2.14%
TLTE FlexShares Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index	3.38%	3.76%	3.73%	4.03%	4.42%	3.21%	1.95%	3.23%	3.02%	2.12%	2.30%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TLTE and QEMM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, TLTE and QEMM 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, TLTE or QEMM?

TLTE has higher volatility (8.36%) compared to QEMM (6.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TLTE dropped -44.21% vs QEMM's -36.89%.

Which ETF is better, TLTE or QEMM?

On 10-year performance, TLTE leads with 7.90% vs 7.66% for QEMM. On fees, QEMM is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, QEMM has been the lower-risk option at 6.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TLTE or QEMM?

Over the 10-year period, TLTE has performed better with a 7.90% return vs 7.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TLTE or QEMM?

QEMM is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for TLTE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TLTE or QEMM?

QEMM has the higher dividend yield at 4.50%, compared with 3.38% for TLTE.

What is the main difference between TLTE and QEMM?

TLTE tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Factor Tilt Index, while QEMM tracks MSCI EM Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for TLTE and 0.30% for QEMM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QEMM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.36), 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.