VMMSX vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VMMSX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - VMMSX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, VMMSX returned 10.72%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for EEM. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VMMSX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

VMMSX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMMSX achieves a 20.95% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 27.80% return. Over the past 10 years, VMMSX has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 10.72%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.93% annualized return.

VMMSX

• 1D: 1.46%
• 1M: 5.99%
• YTD: 20.95%
• 6M: 22.99%
• 1Y: 48.86%
• 3Y*: 22.11%
• 5Y*: 6.94%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

EEM

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 9.08%
• YTD: 27.80%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 55.80%
• 3Y*: 23.95%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

VMMSX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMMSX Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund	20.95%	35.68%	5.91%	10.58%	-18.15%	-1.40%	15.79%	21.42%	-12.53%	32.01%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	27.80%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VMMSX and EEM is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
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 28, 2011	0.94

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

VMMSX vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VMMSX	EEM
Technology	23.4%	43.6%
Financial Services	20.1%	17.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	8.1%
Industrials	7.2%	6.2%
Communication Services	6.6%	5.7%
Basic Materials	6.1%	6.1%
Energy	5.5%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	2.7%
Utilities	2.1%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.9%
Healthcare	1.2%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VMMSX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMMSX

VMMSX Risk / Return Rank: 82
VMMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VMMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
VMMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VMMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VMMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

VMMSX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	VMMSX	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	2.81	+0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	3.62	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.51	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	4.15	-0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	15.99	-1.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMMSX vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMMSX and EEM, 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

	VMMSX	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.96	2.81	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.37	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.49	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.38	-0.05

Drawdowns

VMMSX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMMSX drawdown since its inception was -39.28%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMMSX and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMMSX	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.28%	-66.43%	+27.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.46%	-13.52%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.37%	-17.29%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.39%	-37.71%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.82%	-39.82%	+1.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.24%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.41%	-16.02%	+2.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	3.50%	-0.12%

Volatility

VMMSX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) is 6.08%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that VMMSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMMSX	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	8.52%	-2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.89%	17.42%	-3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.63%	19.97%	-3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.78%	18.91%	-1.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	20.50%	-2.12%

VMMSX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMMSX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

VMMSX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

VMMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, more than EEM's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.74%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
VMMSX Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund	1.92%	2.32%	3.33%	3.05%	3.71%	6.80%	1.04%	2.04%	2.53%	1.54%	1.44%	1.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMMSX and EEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VMMSX and EEM 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, VMMSX or EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to VMMSX (6.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMMSX dropped -39.28% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 2.81), 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.