Dividend comparison
EEM vs SPEM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
EEM vs SPEM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% a year versus 0.72% for EEM. On $10,000 that is $65 a year less in fees.
- Income. SPEM pays more income, yielding 2.55% over the last twelve months versus 1.76% for EEM. That is about $79 more a year on $10,000. EEM pays semi-annual, SPEM pays annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, EEM returned 35.7% versus 33.1% for SPEM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,573 in EEM and $13,306 in SPEM.
- Risk. EEM has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -33.8%, against -29.7% for SPEM.
- Diversification. SPEM holds 2,722 positions and EEM holds 1,186.
- Dividend growth. EEM grew its yearly payout 6.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus -0.1% for SPEM.
Bottom line: EEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SPEM fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.76% | 2.55% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.11 | $1.30 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Annual |
| Last dividend | $0.3508 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.5277 on Jun 26, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.4% over 4 yrs | -0.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $63.32 | $50.91 |
| Dividend growth streak | 1 year | 2 years |
| Beta | 1.03 | 0.86 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -33.8% | -29.7% |
| Market cap | $29.13B | $16.86B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.72% | 0.07% |
| Assets under management | $29.39B | $17.00B |
| Number of holdings | 1186 | 2722 |
| Top 10 concentration | — | 25.7% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
EEM
$14.66/mo
$176 /yr at 1.76% yield
SPEM
$21.27/mo
$255 /yr at 2.55% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. EEM pays semi-annual; SPEM pays annual.
| Year | EEM | SPEM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.2149 | $1.2983 |
| 2024 | $1.0172 | $1.0677 |
| 2023 | $1.0582 | $0.9928 |
| 2022 | $0.9722 | $1.1124 |
| 2021 | $0.9476 | $1.3037 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $13,573 in EEM and $13,306 in SPEM.
| Period | EEM | SPEM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -5.53% | -2.84% |
| 3 months | -0.38% | 1.47% |
| Year to date | 16.33% | 9.86% |
| 1 year | 17.56% | 9.89% |
| 3 years | 84.88% | 70.38% |
| 5 years | 35.73% | 33.06% |
- EEM
- SPEM
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- EEM
- SPEM
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
SPEM2722 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFAC | 14.27% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS LTD | 2.60% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD | 2.14% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK INC | 1.70% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK H | 0.99% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS INC | 0.85% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.85% |
| HDFCBHDFC BANK LIMITED | 0.76% |
| RIGDRELIANCE INDS SPONS GDR 144A | 0.75% |
| IBNICICI BANK LTD SPON ADR | 0.74% |
Quick verdict
EEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. SPEM fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is EEM or SPEM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. EEM currently yields 1.76% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SPEM yields 2.55%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between EEM and SPEM?
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, EEM or SPEM?
SPEM has the lower expense ratio. EEM charges 0.72% a year and SPEM charges 0.07%, a difference of $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, EEM or SPEM?
Over the last 5 years, EEM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: EEM returned 35.7% and SPEM returned 33.1%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, EEM or SPEM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, EEM has been riskier: EEM fell as much as 33.8% and SPEM as much as 29.7%. Their betas are 1.03 and 0.86.
How often do EEM and SPEM pay dividends?
EEM pays semi-annual and SPEM pays annual.
How much income does $10,000 in EEM vs SPEM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in EEM would generate roughly $14.66 per month ($176 annually). The same amount in SPEM would produce about $21.27 per month ($255 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both EEM and SPEM?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare EEM vs SPEM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how EEM and SPEM fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.