Average Daily Volume
2.41M
Fund Overview
The SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) is designed to provide investors with broad exposure to emerging market equities. The fund seeks to track the performance of the S&P Emerging BMI Index, which includes large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks across more than 20 emerging markets. SPEM offers a cost-effective way to gain diversified exposure to emerging economies, which are often characterized by higher growth potential compared to developed markets. The ETF is passively managed, aiming to replicate the index's holdings and performance with minimal tracking error.
- Asset Class
-
Equity
- Industry
-
N/A
- Annual Dividend Rate
-
- Smart Beta
-
No
- Leveraged / Inverse
-
N/A / No
- Dividend Quality - Yield
-
- 2.57 %
- Currency Hedged
-
No
- Portfolio Turnover
-
2 %
- Dividend Date
-
Why Invest in the SPEM ETF?
Potential Benefits
- Provides diversified exposure to emerging market equities across multiple sectors and countries.
- Low expense ratio compared to many actively managed emerging market funds.
- Passive management strategy aims to minimize tracking error relative to the benchmark index.
- Liquidity and ease of trading due to its ETF structure.
- Potential for higher long-term growth compared to developed markets.
Potential Risks
- Emerging markets are subject to higher political, economic, and currency risks than developed markets.
- Volatility can be significantly higher compared to developed market equities.
- Performance may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices or global trade dynamics.
- Some emerging markets have less mature regulatory and financial systems, increasing investment risk.
RSI data unavailable or insufficient history.
Monthly Returns (%)
| Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| 2026 |
+5.1%
|
+2.7%
|
-7.1%
|
+9.2%
|
+2.1%
|
-0.1%
|
-1.6%
|
+3.3%
|
-1.6%
|
+0.3%
|
-
|
-
|
| 2025 |
+0.9%
|
+0.3%
|
+1.3%
|
+0.1%
|
+3.8%
|
+5.9%
|
+0.6%
|
+3.2%
|
+5.4%
|
+1.6%
|
-1.2%
|
+1.2%
|
| 2024 |
-3.6%
|
+3.8%
|
+2.2%
|
+0.7%
|
+2.4%
|
+2.2%
|
+1.2%
|
+1.2%
|
+7.0%
|
-2.6%
|
-2.0%
|
-1.1%
|
| 2023 |
+7.9%
|
-6.4%
|
+2.5%
|
0.0%
|
-2.7%
|
+4.9%
|
+5.8%
|
-5.6%
|
-2.2%
|
-3.3%
|
+7.2%
|
+3.4%
|
| 2022 |
+0.6%
|
-4.6%
|
-3.0%
|
-6.1%
|
+0.6%
|
-3.5%
|
-0.6%
|
-0.4%
|
-9.8%
|
-2.5%
|
+13.7%
|
-2.3%
|
| 2021 |
+2.7%
|
+1.8%
|
-0.7%
|
+1.4%
|
+2.1%
|
+1.1%
|
-5.8%
|
+2.4%
|
-3.1%
|
+1.4%
|
-3.4%
|
+2.0%
|
| 2020 |
-5.9%
|
-3.5%
|
-16.6%
|
+7.3%
|
+3.4%
|
+6.9%
|
+7.6%
|
+3.1%
|
-1.5%
|
+1.2%
|
+8.7%
|
+6.1%
|
| 2019 |
+9.5%
|
-0.9%
|
+1.8%
|
+2.0%
|
-6.1%
|
+5.7%
|
-1.8%
|
-3.8%
|
+1.3%
|
+4.1%
|
+0.4%
|
+6.9%
|
| 2018 |
+8.9%
|
-4.7%
|
-0.8%
|
-3.1%
|
-2.6%
|
-3.9%
|
+3.7%
|
-3.8%
|
-1.1%
|
-7.4%
|
+5.1%
|
-3.2%
|
| 2017 |
+5.9%
|
+3.1%
|
+2.5%
|
+1.6%
|
+1.7%
|
+1.0%
|
+5.6%
|
+3.5%
|
-0.5%
|
+2.4%
|
+0.2%
|
+3.3%
|
< -5%
-5% to -2%
-2% to 0%
0%
0% to +2%
+2% to +5%
> +5%
Top Holdings (by weight)
| Symbol |
Company Name |
Weight |
|
RLNIY
|
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD GDR 144A |
1.1 % |
|
IBN
|
ICICI BANK LTD ADR |
0.9 % |
|
PDD
|
PDD HOLDINGS INC ADR |
0.9 % |
|
INFY
|
INFOSYS LTD ADR |
0.7 % |
|
PBR-A
|
PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS ADR |
0.6 % |
|
MAHMF
|
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD DR |
0.5 % |
|
LTOUF
|
LARSEN & TOUBRO LTD DR |
0.5 % |
|
VALE
|
VALE SA ADR |
0.4 % |
|
ITUB
|
ITAU UNIBANCO HOLDING SA ADR |
0.4 % |
|
NU
|
NU HOLDINGS LTD ORDINARY SHARES CLASS A |
0.4 % |
Top 10 holdings shown, out of 3 total holdings.
Related ETFs: SPEM vs Peers
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.
Investment Strategy
SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index, a market-cap-weighted index that includes large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks from over 20 emerging markets. The fund employs a passive management strategy, aiming to replicate the index's performance by holding a representative sample of its constituents. The index is rebalanced periodically to reflect changes in market capitalization and ensure diversification across countries and sectors. SPEM primarily holds common stocks of companies domiciled in emerging markets, providing direct exposure to these economies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What index does SPEM track?
SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index, which includes large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks from over 20 emerging markets.
How does SPEM differ from other emerging market ETFs like VWO or IEMG?
SPEM tracks the S&P Emerging BMI Index, while VWO follows the FTSE Emerging Markets Index and IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. These indices have slight differences in country and sector allocations, and SPEM often has a lower expense ratio compared to some peers.
What are the top country exposures in SPEM?
SPEM's largest country exposures typically include China, Taiwan, India, Brazil, and South Korea, reflecting the weightings of the S&P Emerging BMI Index.
Is SPEM suitable for long-term investors?
Yes, SPEM can be a suitable long-term investment for those seeking growth potential in emerging markets, but investors should be prepared for higher volatility and risk compared to developed market investments.
Industry Overview
The SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) provides exposure to the dynamic and rapidly growing emerging markets sector. Emerging markets, which include countries like China, India, Brazil, and South Korea, offer higher growth potential but also come with increased volatility and risk compared to developed markets. Investing in SPEM allows investors to participate in the economic expansion of these regions, which are often driven by industrialization, urbanization, and rising consumer demand. However, investors should be aware of the unique risks, including political instability, currency fluctuations, and regulatory challenges, that come with emerging market investments.
Alternative Comparison
Compared to its peers, SPEM stands out for its low expense ratio, making it a cost-effective choice for investors seeking broad emerging market exposure. For example, while VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) also offer diversified emerging market exposure, SPEM's focus on the S&P Emerging BMI Index provides a slightly different country and sector allocation. Additionally, SPEM's passive approach contrasts with actively managed funds like FNDE (Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF), which may have higher fees and different risk-return profiles.
Issuer Overview
SPEM is issued by State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), one of the largest asset managers in the world. SSGA is known for its extensive lineup of SPDR ETFs, which cover a wide range of asset classes and investment strategies. The firm is recognized for its expertise in index-based investing and its commitment to providing cost-effective, transparent investment solutions.
Conclusion
The SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) is a compelling option for investors looking to gain diversified exposure to emerging markets at a low cost. Its passive management strategy, broad index coverage, and competitive expense ratio make it a practical choice for both long-term investors and those seeking tactical allocations to emerging economies. However, investors should carefully consider the inherent risks of emerging market investments, including volatility and geopolitical uncertainties, before adding SPEM to their portfolios.
Boost Your Returns with SectorSurfer
Award-winning investment strategy automation