VEMY vs. XEMD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VEMY (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and XEMD (BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. VEMY is actively managed, while XEMD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VEMY returned 15.52%/yr vs 11.18%/yr for XEMD. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEMY charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for XEMD.

Performance

VEMY vs. XEMD - 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 BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEMY achieves a 5.93% return, which is significantly higher than XEMD's 2.94% return.

VEMY

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 5.93%
• 6M: 6.67%
• 1Y: 18.43%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XEMD

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 2.94%
• 6M: 3.52%
• 1Y: 11.81%
• 3Y*: 11.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VEMY vs. XEMD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	5.93%	15.27%	13.48%	14.45%	-1.08%
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	2.94%	13.98%	8.77%	10.26%	-1.41%

Correlation

The correlation between VEMY and XEMD is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2022	0.84

The correlation between VEMY and XEMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEMY vs. XEMD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEMY

VEMY Risk / Return Rank: 90
VEMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VEMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VEMY Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VEMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VEMY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

XEMD

XEMD Risk / Return Rank: 80
XEMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
XEMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
XEMD Omega Ratio Rank: 85
XEMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
XEMD Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. XEMD - 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 BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD). 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.

	VEMY	XEMD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.55	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	3.86	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.51	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.62	3.37	+1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.97	15.17	+6.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEMY vs. XEMD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEMY Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the XEMD Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEMY and XEMD, 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

	VEMY	XEMD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.55	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.83	1.40	+0.43

Drawdowns

VEMY vs. XEMD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEMY drawdown since its inception was -8.77%, smaller than the maximum XEMD drawdown of -10.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMY and XEMD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEMY	XEMD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-10.01%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	-3.52%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	-4.31%	-2.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.19%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-1.26%	-0.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.78%	+0.06%

Volatility

VEMY vs. XEMD - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) has a higher volatility of 1.54% compared to BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) at 1.36%. This indicates that VEMY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEMY	XEMD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.54%	1.36%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	3.70%	+0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.05%	4.65%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.63%	6.88%	+0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.63%	6.88%	+0.75%

VEMY vs. XEMD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEMY has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than XEMD's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEMY vs. XEMD - Dividend Comparison

VEMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.37%, more than XEMD's 5.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	8.37%	8.89%	10.28%	9.55%	0.00%
XEMD BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF	5.81%	6.15%	6.30%	6.19%	3.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEMY and XEMD in my portfolio?

VEMY and XEMD have a correlation of 0.84, 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 XEMD?

VEMY has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to XEMD (1.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEMY dropped -8.77% vs XEMD's -10.01%.

Which ETF is better, VEMY or XEMD?

On 3-year performance, VEMY leads with 15.52% vs 11.18% for XEMD. On fees, XEMD is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, XEMD has been the lower-risk option at 1.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEMY or XEMD?

Over the 3-year period, VEMY has performed better with a 15.52% return vs 11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEMY or XEMD?

XEMD is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for VEMY.

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

VEMY has the higher dividend yield at 8.37%, compared with 5.81% for XEMD.

What is the main difference between VEMY and XEMD?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and BondBloxx. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for VEMY and 0.29% for XEMD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.55), 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.