VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE
VFEM.DE (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Distributing) and VFEA.DE (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from Vanguard - VFEM.DE tracks the MSCI EM NR USD while VFEA.DE tracks the FTSE Emerging. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFEM.DE returned 6.01%/yr vs 5.93%/yr for VFEA.DE. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.22% expense ratio.
Performance
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFEM.DE having a 12.66% return and VFEA.DE slightly lower at 12.59%.
VFEM.DE
- 1D
- -0.53%
- 1M
- 2.23%
- YTD
- 12.66%
- 6M
- 13.06%
- 1Y
- 26.52%
- 3Y*
- 15.05%
- 5Y*
- 6.01%
- 10Y*
- —
VFEA.DE
- 1D
- -0.47%
- 1M
- 2.09%
- YTD
- 12.59%
- 6M
- 13.26%
- 1Y
- 26.84%
- 3Y*
- 15.02%
- 5Y*
- 5.93%
- 10Y*
- —
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFEM.DE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Distributing | 12.66% | 11.40% | 19.82% | 3.29% | -11.02% | 6.34% | 3.56% | 9.25% |
VFEA.DE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc | 12.59% | 11.25% | 19.29% | 3.31% | -10.70% | 6.34% | 3.46% | 9.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019 | 0.97 |
The correlation between VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE — Risk / Return Rank
VFEM.DE
VFEA.DE
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Distributing (VFEM.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEA.DE). 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.
| VFEM.DE | VFEA.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.33 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.11 | 3.17 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.36 | 10.71 | -0.35 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VFEM.DE | VFEA.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.80 | 1.82 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 | 0.37 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.36 | 0.43 | -0.07 |
Drawdowns
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFEM.DE drawdown since its inception was -31.59%, roughly equal to the maximum VFEA.DE drawdown of -30.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFEM.DE | VFEA.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -31.59% | -30.51% | -1.08% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.49% | -8.44% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.56% | -18.97% | +0.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.11% | -19.99% | -0.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.73% | -1.85% | +0.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.24% | -8.59% | +0.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.55% | 2.50% | +0.05% |
Volatility
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Distributing (VFEM.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEA.DE) have volatilities of 5.44% and 5.45%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VFEM.DE | VFEA.DE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.44% | 5.45% | -0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.70% | 11.82% | -0.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.69% | 14.70% | -0.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.93% | 15.69% | +0.24% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.20% | 18.20% | 0.00% |
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE have an expense ratio of 0.22%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VFEM.DE vs. VFEA.DE - Dividend Comparison
VFEM.DE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.04%, while VFEA.DE has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFEA.DE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VFEM.DE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Distributing | 2.04% | 2.39% | 2.28% | 2.66% | 3.38% | 2.26% | 1.93% | 2.32% | 2.79% | 0.20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE 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.
Both ETFs have the same 0.22% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VFEM.DE and VFEA.DE have the same expense ratio: 0.22% per year.
VFEM.DE tracks MSCI EM NR USD, while VFEA.DE tracks FTSE Emerging.
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