VEXC vs. FRDM

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM).

VEXC and FRDM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. VEXC is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. It was launched on Sep 30, 2025. FRDM is a passively managed fund by Freedom Funds that tracks the performance of the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. It was launched on May 22, 2019. Both VEXC and FRDM are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

VEXC vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VEXC vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	2.61%	4.80%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	7.05%	14.79%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEXC achieves a 2.61% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 7.05% return.

VEXC

• 1D: 3.26%
• 1M: -8.07%
• YTD: 2.61%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FRDM

• 1D: 4.49%
• 1M: -12.64%
• YTD: 7.05%
• 6M: 24.68%
• 1Y: 59.74%
• 3Y*: 26.32%
• 5Y*: 12.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

VEXC vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXC has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.

FRDM

Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF

VEXC

Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF

Return for Risk

VEXC vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 95
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 95
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VEXC vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VEXC	FRDM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.65	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.66	+0.26

Correlation

The correlation between VEXC and FRDM is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VEXC vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison

VEXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, less than FRDM's 2.04% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	0.86%	0.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	2.04%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%

Drawdowns

VEXC vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXC drawdown since its inception was -12.42%, smaller than the maximum FRDM drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXC and FRDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXC	FRDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.42%	-40.49%	+28.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-16.87%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.57%	-13.13%	+3.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.27%	-7.21%	+4.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.04%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VEXC	FRDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	13.19%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	18.31%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.51%	23.57%	-6.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	20.00%	-2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.51%	22.36%	-4.85%