VOOG vs. EMXC

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) and EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOOG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index, while EMXC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VOOG returned 14.86%/yr vs 12.14%/yr for EMXC. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOOG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EMXC.

Performance

VOOG vs. EMXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOOG achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly lower than EMXC's 37.25% return.

VOOG

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: -1.66%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.61%
• 1Y: 27.55%
• 3Y*: 25.78%
• 5Y*: 14.86%
• 10Y*: 17.86%

EMXC

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 3.75%
• YTD: 37.25%
• 6M: 42.23%
• 1Y: 65.26%
• 3Y*: 26.47%
• 5Y*: 12.14%
• 10Y*: —

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

VOOG vs. EMXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	9.67%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	8.95%
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	37.25%	35.14%	2.68%	18.96%	-19.56%	8.54%	12.76%	15.80%	-12.96%	7.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VOOG and EMXC is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2017	0.64

The correlation between VOOG and EMXC shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VOOG vs. EMXC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOOG	EMXC
Technology	49.4%	45.0%
Communication Services	18.0%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	4.5%
Financial Services	8.8%	19.6%
Industrials	6.2%	8.3%
Healthcare	5.8%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	2.9%
Real Estate	0.6%	1.0%
Utilities	0.4%	2.3%
Basic Materials	0.4%	6.8%
Energy	0.1%	4.2%

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. EMXC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 52
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

EMXC

EMXC Risk / Return Rank: 89
EMXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
EMXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
EMXC Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EMXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
EMXC Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

VOOG vs. EMXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VOOG	EMXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.74	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	3.35	-1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.50	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.02	4.55	-2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.11	17.51	-9.40

VOOG vs. EMXC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the EMXC Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG and EMXC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. EMXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, smaller than the maximum EMXC drawdown of -42.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and EMXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	EMXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-42.81%	+10.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-14.41%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-19.12%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-28.91%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.65%	-4.12%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-10.17%	+5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	3.74%	-0.34%

Volatility

VOOG vs. EMXC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) is 6.29%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) has a volatility of 12.83%. This indicates that VOOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	EMXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.29%	12.83%	-6.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.43%	21.90%	-8.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.60%	23.90%	-7.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.29%	18.00%	+3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.78%	20.07%	+0.71%

VOOG vs. EMXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOOG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EMXC's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOOG vs. EMXC - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than EMXC's 2.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	2.05%	2.82%	2.69%	1.83%	2.85%	1.78%	1.45%	3.25%	2.63%	0.99%	0.00%	0.00%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.45%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOOG and EMXC in my portfolio?

VOOG and EMXC have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VOOG or EMXC?

EMXC has higher volatility (12.83%) compared to VOOG (6.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs EMXC's -42.81%.

Which ETF is better, VOOG or EMXC?

On 5-year performance, VOOG leads with 14.86% vs 12.14% for EMXC. On fees, VOOG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VOOG has been the lower-risk option at 6.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOOG or EMXC?

Over the 5-year period, VOOG has performed better with a 14.86% return vs 12.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOOG or EMXC?

VOOG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EMXC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VOOG or EMXC?

EMXC has the higher dividend yield at 2.05%, compared with 0.45% for VOOG.

What is the main difference between VOOG and EMXC?

VOOG is categorized as S&P 500, while EMXC is Emerging Markets Equities. VOOG tracks S&P 500 Growth Index, while EMXC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VOOG and 0.49% for EMXC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 1.67), 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.