VEMAX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VEMAX returned 8.78%/yr vs 8.24%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEMAX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

VEMAX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEMAX achieves a 12.42% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 7.94% return. Over the past 10 years, VEMAX has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 8.78%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 8.24% annualized return.

VEMAX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.24%
• YTD: 12.42%
• 6M: 13.37%
• 1Y: 29.21%
• 3Y*: 18.09%
• 5Y*: 5.17%
• 10Y*: 8.78%

VWO

• 1D: -3.78%
• 1M: -4.48%
• YTD: 7.94%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.19%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 4.36%
• 10Y*: 8.24%

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

VEMAX vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.42%	24.76%	11.34%	8.82%	-17.79%	0.85%	15.24%	20.29%	-14.59%	31.37%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	7.94%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VEMAX and VWO is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2006	0.94

The correlation between VEMAX and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEMAX vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEMAX	VWO
Technology	29.6%	29.6%
Financial Services	19.5%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.7%
Industrials	8.0%	8.0%
Basic Materials	8.0%	8.0%
Communication Services	7.1%	7.1%
Energy	4.6%	4.6%
Healthcare	3.9%	3.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	3.7%
Utilities	2.9%	2.9%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.2%

Return for Risk

VEMAX vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEMAX

VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 45
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

VEMAX vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	VEMAX	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	1.49	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	2.08	+0.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.28	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.18	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.09	7.80	+2.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEMAX vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEMAX and VWO, 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

	VEMAX	VWO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	1.49	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.25	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.43	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.26	+0.03

Drawdowns

VEMAX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEMAX drawdown since its inception was -66.45%, roughly equal to the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMAX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEMAX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.45%	-67.68%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.05%	-11.17%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.78%	-17.37%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.55%	-32.60%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.11%	-36.39%	+0.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-5.16%	+3.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.12%	-15.81%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.11%	-0.15%

Volatility

VEMAX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) is 5.18%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.29%. This indicates that VEMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEMAX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	6.29%	-1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.87%	13.79%	-1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.37%	16.33%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.38%	17.44%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.46%	19.23%	-2.77%

VEMAX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEMAX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEMAX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

VEMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.37%, less than VWO's 2.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.37%	2.74%	3.13%	3.47%	4.05%	2.57%	1.87%	3.20%	2.85%	2.31%	2.51%	3.25%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.50%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEMAX and VWO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VEMAX and VWO 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, VEMAX or VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (6.29%) compared to VEMAX (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEMAX dropped -66.45% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.08 vs 1.49), 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.