VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

VDEM.L (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS) and MKUW.L (Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc)) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - VDEM.L tracks the FTSE Emerging Index while MKUW.L tracks the MSCI Kuwait 20/35 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDEM.L returned 4.83%/yr vs 7.19%/yr for MKUW.L. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDEM.L charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for MKUW.L.

Performance

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS (VDEM.L) and Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (MKUW.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDEM.L achieves a 6.83% return, which is significantly higher than MKUW.L's 0.15% return.

VDEM.L

• 1D: -2.22%
• 1M: -4.85%
• 6M: 3.16%
• YTD: 6.83%
• 1Y: 17.32%
• 3Y*: 15.10%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

MKUW.L

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -2.04%
• 6M: 1.18%
• YTD: 0.15%
• 1Y: 3.43%
• 3Y*: 7.89%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: —

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

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VDEM.L Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS	6.83%	25.92%	12.28%	7.28%	-17.20%	-0.89%	14.85%	7.90%
MKUW.L Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	0.15%	25.35%	9.15%	-8.87%	5.99%	28.57%	-9.88%	10.35%

Correlation

The correlation between VDEM.L and MKUW.L is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.22
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2019	0.21

Return for Risk

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VDEM.L

VDEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 37
VDEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VDEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VDEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VDEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VDEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 42

MKUW.L

MKUW.L Risk / Return Rank: 16
MKUW.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
MKUW.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
MKUW.L Omega Ratio Rank: 15
MKUW.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
MKUW.L Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS (VDEM.L) and Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (MKUW.L). 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.

	VDEM.L	MKUW.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.00	0.34	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.51	0.55	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.07	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	0.46	+1.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.19	1.05	+4.14

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDEM.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.00, which is higher than the MKUW.L Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDEM.L and MKUW.L, 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

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDEM.L drawdown since its inception was -36.63%, roughly equal to the maximum MKUW.L drawdown of -37.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDEM.L and MKUW.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDEM.L	MKUW.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.63%	-37.76%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.64%	-7.47%	-3.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.97%	-14.16%	-1.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.39%	-25.13%	-6.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.79%	-3.60%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.22%	-9.42%	-2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	3.26%	+0.07%

Volatility

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS (VDEM.L) has a higher volatility of 5.70% compared to Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (MKUW.L) at 1.71%. This indicates that VDEM.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MKUW.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDEM.L	MKUW.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.70%	1.71%	+3.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.68%	8.01%	+6.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.19%	10.26%	+6.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.02%	12.76%	+5.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.66%	16.49%	+2.17%

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDEM.L has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than MKUW.L's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDEM.L vs. MKUW.L - Dividend Comparison

VDEM.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, while MKUW.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MKUW.L Invesco MSCI Kuwait UCITS ETF USD (Acc)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDEM.L Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS	2.13%	2.34%	2.38%	2.58%	3.27%	2.30%	1.81%	2.33%	2.82%	2.16%	2.40%	2.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDEM.L and MKUW.L in my portfolio?

VDEM.L and MKUW.L have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDEM.L or MKUW.L?

On fees, VDEM.L is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDEM.L or MKUW.L?

VDEM.L is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for MKUW.L.

What is the main difference between VDEM.L and MKUW.L?

VDEM.L tracks FTSE Emerging Index, while MKUW.L tracks MSCI Kuwait 20/35 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VDEM.L and 0.50% for MKUW.L.