XCEM vs. VEXC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and VEXC (Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - XCEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index while VEXC tracks the FTSE Emerging ex China Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VEXC.

Performance

XCEM vs. VEXC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XCEM achieves a 38.32% return, which is significantly higher than VEXC's 20.21% return.

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%

VEXC

• 1D: -1.20%
• 1M: 4.95%
• YTD: 20.21%
• 6M: 23.59%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XCEM vs. VEXC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	38.32%	8.12%
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	20.21%	4.80%

Correlation

The correlation between XCEM and VEXC is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 2025	0.93

Return for Risk

XCEM vs. VEXC — 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

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. VEXC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (VEXC). 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	VEXC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.98	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XCEM	VEXC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	—	—
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	2.21	-1.58

Drawdowns

XCEM vs. VEXC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than VEXC's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and VEXC.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCEM	VEXC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.24%	-12.42%	-28.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.46%	—	—
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%	-1.20%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-2.23%	-6.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XCEM	VEXC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.43%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.72%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	18.89%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	18.89%	-1.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.72%	18.89%	+0.83%

XCEM vs. VEXC - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXC's 0.07% expense ratio. However, 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. VEXC - Dividend Comparison

XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than VEXC's 0.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXC Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF	0.74%	0.43%	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 VEXC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, XCEM and VEXC 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.

Which ETF is better, XCEM or VEXC?

On fees, VEXC is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XCEM or VEXC?

VEXC is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for XCEM.

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

XCEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 0.74% for VEXC.

What is the main difference between XCEM and VEXC?

XCEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while VEXC tracks FTSE Emerging ex China Index. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XCEM and 0.07% for VEXC.