State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) is a ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPEM returned +22.76% while VXUS returned +27.82%. Year to date, SPEM is up 10.79% versus a gain of 14.57% for VXUS.

Over three years, SPEM compounded at +17.10% per year against +19.27% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +6.83% and +9.28% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.86% annualized vs +3.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

SPEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.1% for VXUS. 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 -65.1% for SPEM and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

SPEM charges 0.07% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $5 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPEM currently yields 2.53% against 2.60% for VXUS.