XC vs. MEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XC (WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund) and MEM (Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. XC is passively managed, while MEM is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, XC returned 10.44%/yr vs 23.82%/yr for MEM. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XC charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for MEM.

Performance

XC vs. MEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) and Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XC achieves a -1.96% return, which is significantly lower than MEM's 30.13% return.

XC

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -1.07%
• YTD: -1.96%
• 6M: -0.86%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 10.44%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

MEM

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: 9.72%
• YTD: 30.13%
• 6M: 31.97%
• 1Y: 56.83%
• 3Y*: 23.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XC vs. MEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XC WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund	-1.96%	18.19%	5.49%	21.31%	1.49%
MEM Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	30.13%	28.31%	10.11%	6.92%	5.64%

Correlation

The correlation between XC and MEM is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2022	0.80

The correlation between XC and MEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

XC vs. MEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XC	MEM
Financial Services	13.8%	24.6%
Basic Materials	7.0%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	9.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	1.4%
Industrials	4.7%	8.9%
Communication Services	2.7%	5.6%
Energy	1.6%	2.9%
Utilities	1.3%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	1.6%
Technology	1.2%	37.5%
Healthcare	0.7%	0.8%

Return for Risk

XC vs. MEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XC

XC Risk / Return Rank: 20
XC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
XC Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XC Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XC Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
XC Martin Ratio Rank: 20

MEM

MEM Risk / Return Rank: 79
MEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
MEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
MEM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
MEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
MEM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

XC vs. MEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) and Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM). 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.

	XC	MEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.69	2.77	-2.08
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.08	3.61	-2.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.49	-0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.83	3.96	-3.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.45	14.47	-12.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XC vs. MEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XC Sharpe Ratio is 0.69, which is lower than the MEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XC and MEM, 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

	XC	MEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69	2.77	-2.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	1.16	-0.42

Drawdowns

XC vs. MEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XC drawdown since its inception was -20.97%, which is greater than MEM's maximum drawdown of -19.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XC and MEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XC	MEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.97%	-19.10%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.47%	-14.62%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.97%	-19.10%	-1.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.94%	0.00%	-7.94%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-4.74%	+0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.25%	4.00%	+0.25%

Volatility

XC vs. MEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) is 4.83%, while Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (MEM) has a volatility of 8.79%. This indicates that XC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XC	MEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.83%	8.79%	-3.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.51%	17.88%	-5.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	20.60%	-5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.86%	18.30%	-2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.86%	18.30%	-2.44%

XC vs. MEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XC has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than MEM's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

XC vs. MEM - Dividend Comparison

XC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.22%, more than MEM's 2.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
MEM Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	2.74%	3.56%	7.81%	0.01%	0.53%
XC WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund	12.22%	11.74%	1.49%	1.42%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XC and MEM in my portfolio?

XC and MEM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XC or MEM?

MEM has higher volatility (8.79%) compared to XC (4.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XC dropped -20.97% vs MEM's -19.10%.

Which ETF is better, XC or MEM?

On 3-year performance, MEM leads with 23.82% vs 10.44% for XC. On fees, XC is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, XC has been the lower-risk option at 4.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XC or MEM?

Over the 3-year period, MEM has performed better with a 23.82% return vs 10.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XC or MEM?

XC is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XC or MEM?

XC has the higher dividend yield at 12.22%, compared with 2.74% for MEM.

What is the main difference between XC and MEM?

They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Matthews. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XC and 0.79% for MEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 0.69), 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.