XCEM vs. STXE
XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and STXE (Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while STXE is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XCEM returned 24.94%/yr vs 28.56%/yr for STXE. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for STXE.
Performance
XCEM vs. STXE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, XCEM achieves a 34.20% return, which is significantly lower than STXE's 44.03% return.
XCEM
- 1D
- -6.33%
- 1M
- 4.21%
- YTD
- 34.20%
- 6M
- 36.41%
- 1Y
- 61.17%
- 3Y*
- 24.94%
- 5Y*
- 11.50%
- 10Y*
- 12.62%
STXE
- 1D
- -6.43%
- 1M
- 6.24%
- YTD
- 44.03%
- 6M
- 45.98%
- 1Y
- 75.87%
- 3Y*
- 28.56%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
XCEM vs. STXE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 34.20% | 34.05% | 0.42% | 11.29% |
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 44.03% | 34.23% | 2.09% | 12.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between XCEM and STXE is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2023 | 0.92 |
The correlation between XCEM and STXE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
XCEM vs. STXE — Risk / Return Rank
XCEM
STXE
XCEM vs. STXE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE). 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 | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.47 | 1.52 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.25 | 5.26 | -1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.39 | 20.32 | -3.93 |
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Drawdowns
XCEM vs. STXE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than STXE's maximum drawdown of -18.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and STXE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XCEM | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.24% | -18.92% | -22.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.46% | -14.51% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.92% | -18.92% | 0.00% |
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 | -6.33% | -6.43% | +0.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.57% | -3.72% | -4.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.74% | 3.74% | 0.00% |
Volatility
XCEM vs. STXE - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) is 14.01%, while Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) has a volatility of 15.52%. This indicates that XCEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than STXE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XCEM | STXE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 14.01% | 15.52% | -1.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.56% | 24.95% | -2.39% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.28% | 26.68% | -2.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.60% | 19.08% | -0.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.94% | 19.08% | +0.86% |
XCEM vs. STXE - Expense Ratio Comparison
XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than STXE's 0.32% expense ratio.
Dividends
XCEM vs. STXE - Dividend Comparison
XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than STXE's 1.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STXE Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 1.87% | 2.66% | 3.22% | 1.08% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 2.42% | 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
With a correlation of 0.96, XCEM and STXE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
STXE has higher volatility (15.52%) compared to XCEM (14.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCEM dropped -41.24% vs STXE's -18.92%.
On 3-year performance, STXE leads with 28.56% vs 24.94% for XCEM. On fees, XCEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, XCEM has been the lower-risk option at 14.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, STXE has performed better with a 28.56% return vs 24.94%. 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 0.32% for STXE.
XCEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 1.87% for STXE.
XCEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while STXE is Emerging Markets Diversified. XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while STXE tracks Bloomberg US 1000 Dividend Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and Strive. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XCEM and 0.32% for STXE.
STXE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.53), 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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