VWO vs. JEPI

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) and JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index, while JEPI is a Dividend fund actively managed by JPMorgan. VWO is passively managed, while JEPI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VWO returned 5.83%/yr vs 7.65%/yr for JEPI. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VWO charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPI.

Performance

VWO vs. JEPI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWO achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than JEPI's 1.89% return.

VWO

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: 4.11%
• YTD: 13.17%
• 6M: 15.35%
• 1Y: 29.26%
• 3Y*: 16.84%
• 5Y*: 5.83%
• 10Y*: 9.11%

JEPI

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 6M: 1.70%
• 1Y: 8.98%
• 3Y*: 9.19%
• 5Y*: 7.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWO vs. JEPI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	13.17%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	37.43%
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	1.89%	8.09%	12.57%	9.83%	-3.49%	21.52%	18.39%

Correlation

The correlation between VWO and JEPI is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2020	0.45

VWO vs. JEPI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWO	JEPI
Technology	29.6%	14.5%
Financial Services	19.5%	7.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.1%
Industrials	8.0%	9.5%
Basic Materials	8.0%	1.6%
Communication Services	7.1%	6.2%
Energy	4.6%	2.7%
Healthcare	3.9%	12.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	8.1%
Utilities	2.9%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.2%	2.9%

Return for Risk

VWO vs. JEPI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 58
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

JEPI

JEPI Risk / Return Rank: 33
JEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
JEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
JEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 33
JEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
JEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

VWO vs. JEPI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI). 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.

	VWO	JEPI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.13	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	1.68	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.21	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	1.35	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	4.09	+5.19

VWO vs. JEPI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWO Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the JEPI Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWO and JEPI, 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

VWO vs. JEPI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWO drawdown since its inception was -67.68%, which is greater than JEPI's maximum drawdown of -13.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWO and JEPI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWO	JEPI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.68%	-13.71%	-53.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.17%	-6.68%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-13.26%	-4.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.60%	-13.71%	-18.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-3.18%	+2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.80%	-2.13%	-13.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	2.20%	+0.96%

Volatility

VWO vs. JEPI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a higher volatility of 6.98% compared to JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) at 2.12%. This indicates that VWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JEPI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWO	JEPI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.98%	2.12%	+4.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.18%	6.23%	+7.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.62%	8.01%	+8.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.51%	11.08%	+6.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.24%	10.79%	+8.45%

VWO vs. JEPI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWO has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than JEPI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWO vs. JEPI - Dividend Comparison

VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.38%, less than JEPI's 8.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	8.13%	8.25%	7.33%	8.40%	11.68%	6.59%	5.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.38%	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 VWO and JEPI in my portfolio?

VWO and JEPI have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWO or JEPI?

VWO has higher volatility (6.98%) compared to JEPI (2.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWO dropped -67.68% vs JEPI's -13.71%.

Which ETF is better, VWO or JEPI?

On 5-year performance, JEPI leads with 7.65% vs 5.83% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, JEPI has been the lower-risk option at 2.12%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VWO or JEPI?

Over the 5-year period, JEPI has performed better with a 7.65% return vs 5.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VWO or JEPI?

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for JEPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VWO or JEPI?

JEPI has the higher dividend yield at 8.13%, compared with 2.38% for VWO.

What is the main difference between VWO and JEPI?

VWO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while JEPI is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VWO and 0.35% for JEPI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.13), 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.