XCEM vs. GEME

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and GEME (Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. XCEM is passively managed, while GEME is actively managed. Over the past year, XCEM returned 71.14% vs 82.30% for GEME. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GEME.

Performance

XCEM vs. GEME - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XCEM having a 38.32% return and GEME slightly higher at 38.52%.

XCEM

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 12.13%
• YTD: 38.32%
• 6M: 44.13%
• 1Y: 71.14%
• 3Y*: 26.37%
• 5Y*: 11.95%
• 10Y*: 12.99%

GEME

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 10.91%
• YTD: 38.52%
• 6M: 44.89%
• 1Y: 82.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XCEM vs. GEME - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	38.32%	29.93%
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	38.52%	37.35%

Correlation

The correlation between XCEM and GEME is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2025	0.83

The correlation between XCEM and GEME has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XCEM vs. GEME — Risk / Return Rank

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

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 90
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 91
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
XCEM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

GEME

GEME Risk / Return Rank: 93
GEME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
GEME Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
GEME Omega Ratio Rank: 94
GEME Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
GEME Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

XCEM vs. GEME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME). 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.

	XCEM	GEME	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	3.90	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	4.67	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.68	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	6.15	-1.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.98	24.06	-4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XCEM vs. GEME - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCEM Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is comparable to the GEME Sharpe Ratio of 3.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCEM and GEME, 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

	XCEM	GEME	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	3.90	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	2.66	-2.02

Drawdowns

XCEM vs. GEME - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than GEME's maximum drawdown of -16.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and GEME.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCEM	GEME	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.24%	-16.86%	-24.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.46%	-13.46%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.92%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.67%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-1.23%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-2.30%	-6.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.43%	+0.14%

Volatility

XCEM vs. GEME - Volatility Comparison

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has a higher volatility of 9.43% compared to Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (GEME) at 8.56%. This indicates that XCEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GEME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XCEM	GEME	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.43%	8.56%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.72%	17.91%	+0.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	21.23%	-0.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	22.95%	-5.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.72%	22.95%	-3.23%

XCEM vs. GEME - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than GEME's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCEM vs. GEME - Dividend Comparison

XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, less than GEME's 5.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEME Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF	5.06%	7.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.35%	3.25%	2.76%	1.22%	2.42%	1.94%	1.63%	2.11%	2.70%	9.56%	1.24%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XCEM and GEME in my portfolio?

XCEM and GEME have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XCEM or GEME?

XCEM has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to GEME (8.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCEM dropped -41.24% vs GEME's -16.86%.

Which ETF is better, XCEM or GEME?

On 1-year performance, GEME leads with 82.30% vs 71.14% for XCEM. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, GEME has been the lower-risk option at 8.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XCEM or GEME?

Over the 1-year period, GEME has performed better with a 82.30% return vs 71.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XCEM or GEME?

XCEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GEME.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XCEM or GEME?

GEME has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 2.35% for XCEM.

What is the main difference between XCEM and GEME?

They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and Pacific AM. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XCEM and 0.75% for GEME.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.90 vs 3.42), 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.