XSOE vs. DBEM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XSOE (WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund) and DBEM (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - XSOE tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Index while DBEM tracks the MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XSOE returned 10.33%/yr vs 10.69%/yr for DBEM. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XSOE charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for DBEM.

Performance

XSOE vs. DBEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (XSOE) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSOE achieves a 23.47% return, which is significantly lower than DBEM's 27.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with XSOE having a 10.33% annualized return and DBEM not far ahead at 10.69%.

XSOE

• 1D: -5.74%
• 1M: 2.49%
• YTD: 23.47%
• 6M: 24.31%
• 1Y: 46.15%
• 3Y*: 22.11%
• 5Y*: 4.49%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

DBEM

• 1D: -5.21%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: 27.92%
• 6M: 28.44%
• 1Y: 54.61%
• 3Y*: 24.78%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 10.69%

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

XSOE vs. DBEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSOE WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund	23.47%	30.05%	7.02%	10.28%	-25.83%	-5.92%	28.61%	24.81%	-18.60%	49.23%
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	27.92%	30.42%	10.61%	10.53%	-17.00%	-2.26%	18.12%	16.77%	-10.81%	27.10%

Correlation

The correlation between XSOE and DBEM is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2014	0.84

The correlation between XSOE and DBEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

XSOE vs. DBEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSOE	DBEM
Technology	43.9%	43.6%
Financial Services	14.1%	17.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	8.4%
Industrials	8.6%	6.7%
Communication Services	6.1%	6.1%
Basic Materials	4.8%	6.0%
Healthcare	3.9%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.5%
Energy	1.6%	3.5%
Utilities	1.3%	1.8%
Real Estate	0.9%	1.0%

Return for Risk

XSOE vs. DBEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSOE

XSOE Risk / Return Rank: 69
XSOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
XSOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
XSOE Omega Ratio Rank: 72
XSOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XSOE Martin Ratio Rank: 72

DBEM

DBEM Risk / Return Rank: 87
DBEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DBEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DBEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
DBEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DBEM Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

XSOE vs. DBEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (XSOE) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). 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.

	XSOE	DBEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	2.65	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	3.28	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.49	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	5.22	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	19.15	-6.47

XSOE vs. DBEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSOE Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is comparable to the DBEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSOE and DBEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XSOE vs. DBEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSOE drawdown since its inception was -45.23%, which is greater than DBEM's maximum drawdown of -33.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSOE and DBEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSOE	DBEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.23%	-33.51%	-11.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.31%	-10.51%	-2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.96%	-15.12%	-4.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.05%	-30.48%	-11.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.23%	-33.51%	-11.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.74%	-5.21%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-11.66%	-5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	2.86%	+0.79%

Volatility

XSOE vs. DBEM - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (XSOE) has a higher volatility of 12.60% compared to Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM) at 11.58%. This indicates that XSOE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSOE	DBEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.60%	11.58%	+1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.57%	18.66%	+1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.57%	20.69%	+1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.04%	17.70%	+2.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.89%	17.39%	+3.50%

XSOE vs. DBEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSOE has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than DBEM's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSOE vs. DBEM - Dividend Comparison

XSOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than DBEM's 2.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	2.06%	1.84%	2.48%	2.55%	2.65%	1.77%	1.74%	2.59%	2.85%	1.51%	1.59%	3.49%
XSOE WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund	1.32%	1.50%	1.44%	1.78%	2.53%	1.36%	1.02%	2.01%	1.56%	0.65%	1.43%	3.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSOE and DBEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, XSOE and DBEM 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 is riskier, XSOE or DBEM?

XSOE has higher volatility (12.60%) compared to DBEM (11.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSOE dropped -45.23% vs DBEM's -33.51%.

Which ETF is better, XSOE or DBEM?

On 10-year performance, DBEM leads with 10.69% vs 10.33% for XSOE. On fees, XSOE is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, DBEM has been the lower-risk option at 11.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSOE or DBEM?

Over the 10-year period, DBEM has performed better with a 10.69% return vs 10.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSOE or DBEM?

XSOE is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for DBEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XSOE or DBEM?

DBEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.06%, compared with 1.32% for XSOE.

What is the main difference between XSOE and DBEM?

XSOE tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Index, while DBEM tracks MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XSOE and 0.66% for DBEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 2.06), 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.