EMM vs SPY
Global X Emerging Markets ex-China ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, EMM or SPY?
Each has led over a different period.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. EMM led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EMM | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $58M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 53 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +32.69%Best | +13.81% |
| 1Y Return | +46.09%Best | +16.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.64%Best | +22.84% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.50% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 12.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.0% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $18,714 | $19,678Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 24, 2010 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 15, 2023 to Sep 22, 2026 (3.4 years).
EMM vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.4 years both funds cover.
EMM vs SPY Performance
Global X Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (EMM) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year EMM returned +46.09% while SPY returned +16.94%. Year to date, EMM is up 32.69% versus a gain of 13.81% for SPY.
Over three years, EMM compounded at +24.64% per year against +22.84% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 12.7% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -22.0% for EMM and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMM charges 0.66% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $9 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMM currently yields 0.73% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 42 holdings in EMM and 504 in SPY, totalling 84.6% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in EMM and 504 in SPY, against full books of 53 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMM and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EMM or SPY?
EMM has an expense ratio of 0.66% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMM or SPY?
Over the past year EMM returned +46.09% vs +16.94% for SPY, so EMM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMM or SPY?
EMM has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 12.7% for SPY. Worst drawdown: EMM -22.0% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both EMM and SPY?
EMM and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMM or SPY?
EMM yields 0.73% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than EMM?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. EMM led over 1Y and 3Y, SPY over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.