ZEMIX vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ZEMIX (Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - ZEMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Ninety One, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, ZEMIX returned 8.94%/yr vs 13.90%/yr for VOO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZEMIX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund (ZEMIX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZEMIX achieves a 31.38% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 10.91% return.

ZEMIX

• 1D: 1.05%
• 1M: 11.70%
• YTD: 31.38%
• 6M: 34.83%
• 1Y: 63.64%
• 3Y*: 28.69%
• 5Y*: 8.94%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.44%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 15.56%

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

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ZEMIX Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund	31.38%	36.71%	11.16%	10.49%	-23.11%	-0.74%	14.67%	20.51%	-3.95%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-8.43%

Correlation

The correlation between ZEMIX and VOO is 0.52, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2018	0.59

The correlation between ZEMIX and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZEMIX vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZEMIX

ZEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 91
ZEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
ZEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
ZEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
ZEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ZEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 70
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund (ZEMIX) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	ZEMIX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.54	2.39	+1.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.48	3.25	+1.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.43	+0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.71	3.16	+1.55
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.34	14.73	+2.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZEMIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.54, which is higher than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZEMIX and VOO, 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

	ZEMIX	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.54	2.39	+1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.83	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.89	-0.29

Drawdowns

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZEMIX drawdown since its inception was -40.26%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZEMIX and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZEMIX	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.26%	-33.99%	-6.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.12%	-8.90%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.47%	-18.69%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.83%	-24.52%	-13.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.43%	-3.69%	-10.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	1.91%	+1.66%

Volatility

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund (ZEMIX) has a higher volatility of 7.57% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.84%. This indicates that ZEMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZEMIX	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.57%	2.84%	+4.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.53%	8.90%	+6.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.11%	11.80%	+6.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	16.81%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	18.01%	+1.08%

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZEMIX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZEMIX vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

ZEMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.81%, more than VOO's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
ZEMIX Ninety One Emerging Markets Equity Fund	12.81%	16.82%	0.00%	2.28%	1.22%	8.23%	1.08%	2.74%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZEMIX and VOO in my portfolio?

ZEMIX and VOO have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZEMIX or VOO?

ZEMIX has higher volatility (7.57%) compared to VOO (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZEMIX dropped -40.26% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.54 vs 2.39), 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.