XSOE vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

XSOE (WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - XSOE tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Index while SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XSOE returned 10.91%/yr vs 9.61%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XSOE charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

XSOE vs. SPEM - 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 SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSOE achieves a 29.68% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 14.06% return. Over the past 10 years, XSOE has outperformed SPEM with an annualized return of 10.91%, while SPEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.61% annualized return.

XSOE

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 11.05%
• YTD: 29.68%
• 6M: 32.39%
• 1Y: 56.82%
• 3Y*: 23.90%
• 5Y*: 5.56%
• 10Y*: 10.91%

SPEM

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 14.06%
• 6M: 15.69%
• 1Y: 33.51%
• 3Y*: 19.29%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 9.61%

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

XSOE vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XSOE WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund	29.68%	30.05%	7.02%	10.28%	-25.83%	-5.92%	28.61%	24.81%	-18.60%	49.23%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	14.06%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XSOE and SPEM 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	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2014	0.86

The correlation between XSOE and SPEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.86 (all time) to 0.97 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XSOE vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSOE	SPEM
Technology	37.3%	28.2%
Financial Services	15.5%	20.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.6%	10.4%
Industrials	9.6%	8.5%
Communication Services	7.0%	7.2%
Basic Materials	5.3%	8.2%
Healthcare	4.4%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.9%
Energy	2.0%	4.7%
Utilities	1.4%	2.8%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.9%

Return for Risk

XSOE vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XSOE

XSOE Risk / Return Rank: 84
XSOE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
XSOE Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
XSOE Omega Ratio Rank: 86
XSOE Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
XSOE Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 64
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. SPEM - 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 SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.

	XSOE	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.90	2.12	+0.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	2.91	+0.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.39	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	3.03	+1.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.75	11.13	+5.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSOE vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSOE Sharpe Ratio is 2.90, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSOE and SPEM, 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

	XSOE	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.90	2.12	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.36	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.51	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.24	+0.17

Drawdowns

XSOE vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSOE drawdown since its inception was -45.23%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSOE and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSOE	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.23%	-64.41%	+19.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.31%	-11.36%	-1.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.96%	-17.62%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.05%	-31.88%	-10.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.23%	-36.06%	-9.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.29%	-14.75%	-2.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.47%	3.10%	+0.37%

Volatility

XSOE vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (XSOE) has a higher volatility of 8.40% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.50%. This indicates that XSOE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSOE	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.40%	5.50%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.18%	13.20%	+3.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.72%	15.86%	+3.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.43%	17.13%	+2.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.59%	18.80%	+1.79%

XSOE vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSOE has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSOE vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

XSOE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.26%, less than SPEM's 2.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.43%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%
XSOE WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund	1.26%	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 SPEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, XSOE and SPEM 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 SPEM?

XSOE has higher volatility (8.40%) compared to SPEM (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XSOE dropped -45.23% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, XSOE or SPEM?

On 10-year performance, XSOE leads with 10.91% vs 9.61% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XSOE or SPEM?

Over the 10-year period, XSOE has performed better with a 10.91% return vs 9.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSOE or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for XSOE.

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

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.43%, compared with 1.26% for XSOE.

What is the main difference between XSOE and SPEM?

XSOE tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Index, while SPEM tracks S&P Emerging Markets BMI. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XSOE and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XSOE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.90 vs 2.12), 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.