XCEM vs. SBND
XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and SBND (Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while SBND is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XCEM returned 21.41%/yr vs 5.87%/yr for SBND. Their 0.36 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SBND.
Performance
XCEM vs. SBND - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XCEM achieves a 24.71% return, which is significantly higher than SBND's 1.07% return.
XCEM
- 1D
- 0.95%
- 1M
- -5.51%
- 6M
- 13.55%
- YTD
- 24.71%
- 1Y
- 46.19%
- 3Y*
- 21.41%
- 5Y*
- 9.92%
- 10Y*
- 10.65%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.40%
SBND
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- -0.08%
- 6M
- 0.79%
- YTD
- 1.07%
- 1Y
- 3.78%
- 3Y*
- 5.87%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 2.44%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2.27M | $2.74M | $1.61M | |
| $7.04M | $7.53M | $9.61M |
XCEM vs. SBND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 24.71% | 34.05% | 0.42% | 19.96% | -17.59% | 0.80% |
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF | 1.07% | 7.50% | 4.83% | 7.20% | -7.24% | -0.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between XCEM and SBND is 0.40, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2021 | 0.36 |
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Return for Risk
XCEM vs. SBND — Risk / Return Rank
XCEM
SBND
XCEM vs. SBND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND). 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.
| XCEM | SBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.31 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.55 | 2.22 | +0.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.98 | 9.16 | -0.18 |
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Drawdowns
XCEM vs. SBND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than SBND's maximum drawdown of -10.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and SBND.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XCEM | SBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.24% | -10.78% | -30.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.20% | -1.71% | -16.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.92% | -1.71% | -17.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.57% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.24% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.95% | -0.19% | -12.76% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.58% | -2.78% | -5.80% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.16% | 0.41% | +4.75% |
Volatility
XCEM vs. SBND - Volatility Comparison
Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has a higher volatility of 10.15% compared to Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) at 0.58%. This indicates that XCEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SBND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XCEM | SBND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.15% | 0.58% | +9.57% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 24.63% | 1.76% | +22.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.40% | 2.40% | +24.00% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.09% | 3.57% | +15.52% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.11% | 3.57% | +16.54% |
XCEM vs. SBND - Expense Ratio Comparison
XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than SBND's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
XCEM vs. SBND - Dividend Comparison
XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.61%, less than SBND's 4.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SBND Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF | 4.56% | 4.65% | 4.58% | 3.90% | 2.80% | 0.43% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 2.61% | 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
XCEM and SBND have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
XCEM has higher volatility (10.15%) compared to SBND (0.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCEM dropped -41.24% vs SBND's -10.78%.
On 3-year performance, XCEM leads with 21.41% vs 5.87% for SBND. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, SBND has been the lower-risk option at 0.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, XCEM has performed better with a 21.41% return vs 5.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
XCEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for SBND.
SBND has the higher dividend yield at 4.56%, compared with 2.61% for XCEM.
XCEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SBND is Short-Term Bond. XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while SBND tracks Bloomberg Beta Advantage Short Term Bond (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XCEM and 0.25% for SBND.
XCEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 vs 1.58), 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.
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