Dividend comparison
SPEM vs AVEM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
SPEM vs AVEM: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SPEM is cheaper at 0.07% a year versus 0.33% for AVEM. On $10,000 that is $26 a year less in fees.
- Income. AVEM pays more income, yielding 2.68% over the last twelve months versus 2.55% for SPEM. That is about $13 more a year on $10,000. SPEM pays annual, AVEM pays semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, AVEM returned 51.6% versus 33.1% for SPEM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $15,164 in AVEM and $13,306 in SPEM.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -29.7% for SPEM and -30.6% for AVEM from peak to trough.
- Diversification. AVEM holds 4,019 positions and SPEM holds 2,722.
- Dividend growth. AVEM grew its yearly payout 3.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus -0.1% for SPEM.
Bottom line: SPEM fits better if you care most about lower fees. AVEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | SPEM State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.55% | 2.68% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.30 | $2.40 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.5277 on Jun 26, 2026 | $0.6483 on Sep 10, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 22, 2026 | Sep 8, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | -0.1% over 4 yrs | 3.4% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $50.91 | $89.56 |
| Dividend growth streak | 2 years | 3 years |
| Beta | 0.86 | 1.02 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -29.7% | -30.6% |
| Market cap | $16.86B | $27.27B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.33% |
| Assets under management | $17.00B | $27.46B |
| Number of holdings | 2722 | 4019 |
| Top 10 concentration | 25.7% | — |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
SPEM
$21.27/mo
$255 /yr at 2.55% yield
AVEM
$22.36/mo
$268 /yr at 2.68% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. SPEM pays annual; AVEM pays semi-annual.
| Year | SPEM | AVEM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.2983 | $1.8873 |
| 2024 | $1.0677 | $1.8655 |
| 2023 | $0.9928 | $1.7228 |
| 2022 | $1.1124 | $1.3979 |
| 2021 | $1.3037 | $1.6502 |
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 $13,306 in SPEM and $15,164 in AVEM.
| Period | SPEM | AVEM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.84% | -4.98% |
| 3 months | 1.47% | 0.34% |
| Year to date | 9.86% | 16.28% |
| 1 year | 9.89% | 16.31% |
| 3 years | 70.38% | 85.58% |
| 5 years | 33.06% | 51.64% |
- SPEM
- AVEM
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.
- SPEM
- AVEM
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
SPEM fits better if you care most about lower fees. AVEM fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is SPEM or AVEM better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. SPEM currently yields 2.55% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while AVEM yields 2.68%. 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 SPEM and AVEM?
State Street SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) 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, SPEM or AVEM?
SPEM has the lower expense ratio. SPEM charges 0.07% a year and AVEM charges 0.33%, a difference of $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, SPEM or AVEM?
Over the last 5 years, AVEM has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: SPEM returned 33.1% and AVEM returned 51.6%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, SPEM or AVEM?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, AVEM has been riskier: SPEM fell as much as 29.7% and AVEM as much as 30.6%. Their betas are 0.86 and 1.02.
How often do SPEM and AVEM pay dividends?
SPEM pays annual and AVEM pays semi-annual.
How much income does $10,000 in SPEM vs AVEM generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in SPEM would generate roughly $21.27 per month ($255 annually). The same amount in AVEM would produce about $22.36 per month ($268 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both SPEM and AVEM?
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 SPEM vs AVEM with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how SPEM and AVEM 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.