VEMY vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

VEMY (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEMY is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. VEMY is actively managed, while JEPQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VEMY returned 15.11%/yr vs 20.83%/yr for JEPQ. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEMY charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEMY achieves a 6.70% return, which is significantly lower than JEPQ's 10.52% return.

VEMY

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 18.55%
• 3Y*: 15.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

JEPQ

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: 3.22%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 10.65%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.70%	15.27%	13.48%	14.45%	-1.43%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.52%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-5.33%

Correlation

The correlation between VEMY and JEPQ is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2022	0.50

The correlation between VEMY and JEPQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEMY vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEMY

VEMY Risk / Return Rank: 92
VEMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VEMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VEMY Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VEMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
VEMY Martin Ratio Rank: 92

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 76
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 81
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

	VEMY	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.07	2.28	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.72	3.02	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.45	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	3.31	+1.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.07	15.77	+6.30

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEMY Sharpe Ratio is 3.07, which is higher than the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEMY and JEPQ, 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

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEMY drawdown since its inception was -8.77%, smaller than the maximum JEPQ drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMY and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEMY	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-20.07%	+11.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	-8.82%	+4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	-20.07%	+13.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	0.00%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-3.40%	+2.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	1.85%	-1.01%

Volatility

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) is 1.45%, while JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a volatility of 5.70%. This indicates that VEMY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEMY	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.45%	5.70%	-4.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.73%	10.49%	-5.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.08%	12.83%	-6.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.61%	16.76%	-9.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.61%	16.76%	-9.15%

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEMY has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEMY vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

VEMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.31%, less than JEPQ's 9.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	9.98%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	8.31%	8.89%	10.28%	9.55%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEMY and JEPQ in my portfolio?

VEMY and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEMY or JEPQ?

JEPQ has higher volatility (5.70%) compared to VEMY (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEMY dropped -8.77% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which ETF is better, VEMY or JEPQ?

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 20.83% vs 15.11% for VEMY. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, VEMY has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEMY or JEPQ?

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 20.83% return vs 15.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEMY or JEPQ?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for VEMY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEMY or JEPQ?

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.98%, compared with 8.31% for VEMY.

What is the main difference between VEMY and JEPQ?

VEMY is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while JEPQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for VEMY and 0.35% for JEPQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.07 vs 2.28), 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.