WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

WLDS.L (iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF) and EMSM.L (SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WLDS.L is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Small Cap Inde, while EMSM.L is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets SMID NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WLDS.L returned 8.23%/yr vs 8.54%/yr for EMSM.L. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WLDS.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for EMSM.L.

Performance

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.L) and SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap UCITS ETF (EMSM.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WLDS.L achieves a 14.58% return, which is significantly lower than EMSM.L's 15.33% return.

WLDS.L

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 4.25%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 33.75%
• 3Y*: 15.03%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: —

EMSM.L

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 15.33%
• 6M: 16.01%
• 1Y: 30.63%
• 3Y*: 14.30%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

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

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
WLDS.L iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF	14.58%	11.86%	8.58%	11.22%	-8.89%	16.71%	12.54%	20.41%	-4.07%
EMSM.L SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap UCITS ETF	15.33%	12.15%	4.60%	15.48%	-7.03%	17.67%	16.12%	5.70%	-9.66%

Correlation

The correlation between WLDS.L and EMSM.L is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 3, 2018	0.64

The correlation between WLDS.L and EMSM.L shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.64 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WLDS.L	EMSM.L
Industrials	20.5%	18.5%
Technology	15.2%	22.6%
Financial Services	13.3%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	9.8%
Healthcare	9.5%	9.3%
Basic Materials	8.2%	9.5%
Real Estate	8.0%	6.0%
Energy	5.0%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	5.3%
Communication Services	3.0%	2.9%
Utilities	2.8%	2.7%

Return for Risk

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLDS.L

WLDS.L Risk / Return Rank: 83
WLDS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
WLDS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
WLDS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 80
WLDS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
WLDS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 82

EMSM.L

EMSM.L Risk / Return Rank: 61
EMSM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
EMSM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
EMSM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 61
EMSM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
EMSM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.L) and SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap UCITS ETF (EMSM.L). 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.

	WLDS.L	EMSM.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.67	1.98	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.75	2.70	+1.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.32	3.23	+1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.35	10.41	+5.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLDS.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.67, which is higher than the EMSM.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLDS.L and EMSM.L, 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

	WLDS.L	EMSM.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.67	1.98	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.62	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.45	+0.11

Drawdowns

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLDS.L drawdown since its inception was -33.26%, smaller than the maximum EMSM.L drawdown of -37.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLDS.L and EMSM.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLDS.L	EMSM.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.26%	-37.81%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.78%	-9.43%	+1.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-20.07%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.55%	-20.07%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.13%	+2.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.36%	-7.93%	+1.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	2.93%	-0.87%

Volatility

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World Small Cap UCITS ETF (WLDS.L) is 3.41%, while SPDR MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap UCITS ETF (EMSM.L) has a volatility of 6.16%. This indicates that WLDS.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMSM.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WLDS.L	EMSM.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	6.16%	-2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.29%	13.10%	-3.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.58%	15.44%	-2.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.53%	13.82%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	16.38%	+0.91%

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

WLDS.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than EMSM.L's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

WLDS.L vs. EMSM.L - Dividend Comparison

Neither WLDS.L nor EMSM.L has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WLDS.L and EMSM.L in my portfolio?

WLDS.L and EMSM.L have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, WLDS.L or EMSM.L?

On fees, WLDS.L is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, WLDS.L or EMSM.L?

WLDS.L is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for EMSM.L.

What is the main difference between WLDS.L and EMSM.L?

WLDS.L is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while EMSM.L is Emerging Markets Equities. WLDS.L tracks MSCI World Small Cap Inde, while EMSM.L tracks MSCI Emerging Markets SMID NR USD. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for WLDS.L and 0.55% for EMSM.L.