XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XWQS.L (Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C) and FSEM.L (Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc) are both exchange-traded funds - XWQS.L is a ESG fund tracking the MSCI World Quality Low Carbon SRI Screened Select Index, while FSEM.L is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by Fidelity. XWQS.L is passively managed, while FSEM.L is actively managed. Over the past year, XWQS.L returned 27.33% vs 13.62% for FSEM.L. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XWQS.L charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for FSEM.L.

Performance

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C (XWQS.L) and Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc (FSEM.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

XWQS.L is traded in GBP, while FSEM.L is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the FSEM.L values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XWQS.L achieves a 9.17% return, which is significantly higher than FSEM.L's 3.32% return.

XWQS.L

• 1D: 0.98%
• 1M: 4.52%
• YTD: 9.17%
• 6M: 10.62%
• 1Y: 27.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FSEM.L

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 3.32%
• 6M: 2.73%
• 1Y: 13.62%
• 3Y*: 6.08%
• 5Y*: 2.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XWQS.L Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C	9.17%	9.12%	20.95%	-12.78%
FSEM.L Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc	3.32%	5.25%	5.32%	5.32%

Correlation

The correlation between XWQS.L and FSEM.L is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 6, 2023	0.35

Return for Risk

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

XWQS.L

XWQS.L Risk / Return Rank: 77
XWQS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XWQS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
XWQS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 78
XWQS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
XWQS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 76

FSEM.L

FSEM.L Risk / Return Rank: 67
FSEM.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
FSEM.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FSEM.L Omega Ratio Rank: 78
FSEM.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FSEM.L Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C (XWQS.L) and Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc (FSEM.L). 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.

	XWQS.L	FSEM.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.48	1.72	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	2.47	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.32	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	2.38	+1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	6.80	+7.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XWQS.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.48, which is higher than the FSEM.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XWQS.L and FSEM.L, 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

	XWQS.L	FSEM.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.48	1.72	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.26	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.24	+0.20

Drawdowns

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XWQS.L drawdown since its inception was -23.95%, which is greater than FSEM.L's maximum drawdown of -15.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XWQS.L and FSEM.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	XWQS.L	FSEM.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.95%	-15.36%	-8.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.82%	-5.70%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-9.08%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.36%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.12%	+1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-6.53%	-0.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	2.00%	-0.10%

Volatility

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C (XWQS.L) and Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc (FSEM.L) have volatilities of 2.97% and 2.91%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XWQS.L	FSEM.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.97%	2.91%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.99%	6.39%	+1.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.96%	7.90%	+3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.61%	10.22%	+8.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.61%	10.13%	+8.48%

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

XWQS.L has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than FSEM.L's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

XWQS.L vs. FSEM.L - Dividend Comparison

XWQS.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FSEM.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FSEM.L Fidelity Sustainable USD EM Bond UCITS ETF Inc	7.90%	6.31%	6.49%	5.74%	5.01%	2.41%
XWQS.L Xtrackers MSCI World Quality ESG UCITS ETF 1C	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XWQS.L and FSEM.L in my portfolio?

XWQS.L and FSEM.L have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XWQS.L or FSEM.L?

On fees, XWQS.L is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XWQS.L or FSEM.L?

XWQS.L is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for FSEM.L.

What is the main difference between XWQS.L and FSEM.L?

XWQS.L is categorized as ESG, while FSEM.L is Emerging Markets Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Xtrackers and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for XWQS.L and 0.45% for FSEM.L.