VMMSX vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VMMSX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VMMSX returned 10.72%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for VWO. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VMMSX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

VMMSX vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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 higher than VWO's 12.22% return. Over the past 10 years, VMMSX has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 10.72%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 8.85% 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%

VWO

• 1D: -1.41%
• 1M: 2.72%
• YTD: 12.22%
• 6M: 13.79%
• 1Y: 30.72%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: 5.17%
• 10Y*: 8.85%

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

VMMSX vs. VWO - 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%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	12.22%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	20.75%	-14.76%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VMMSX and VWO is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2011	0.94

The correlation between VMMSX and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VMMSX vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VMMSX	VWO
Technology	23.4%	29.6%
Financial Services	20.1%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	13.3%	10.7%
Industrials	7.2%	8.0%
Communication Services	6.6%	7.1%
Basic Materials	6.1%	8.0%
Energy	5.5%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	3.7%
Utilities	2.1%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.2%
Healthcare	1.2%	3.9%

Return for Risk

VMMSX vs. VWO — 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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 56
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.96	1.94	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	2.69	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.36	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	2.76	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	9.96	+4.57
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. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMMSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is higher than the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMMSX and VWO, 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	VWO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.96	1.94	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.30	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.46	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.27	+0.06

Drawdowns

VMMSX vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMMSX drawdown since its inception was -39.28%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMMSX and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMMSX	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.28%	-67.68%	+28.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.46%	-11.17%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.37%	-17.37%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.39%	-32.64%	-4.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.82%	-36.39%	-2.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.41%	+1.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.41%	-15.82%	+2.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	3.09%	+0.29%

Volatility

VMMSX vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund (VMMSX) has a higher volatility of 6.08% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 5.61%. This indicates that VMMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMMSX	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.08%	5.61%	+0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.89%	13.22%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.63%	15.89%	+0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.78%	17.37%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	19.20%	-0.82%

VMMSX vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMMSX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

VMMSX vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

VMMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, less than VWO's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.40%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMMSX and VWO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VMMSX and VWO 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 VWO?

VMMSX has higher volatility (6.08%) compared to VWO (5.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMMSX dropped -39.28% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.94), 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.