What if you invested monthly in an Emerging-markets ETF (EEM) for 15 years?
See what a 15-year monthly plan into EEM—which holds large-cap stocks across emerging markets like Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and Brazil—would have looked like using real price data, and how it compares with U.S. markets over the long run.
Investment conditions
Asset · Emerging-markets ETF (EEM)
Method · Recurring monthly investment
Period · 2011-07-01 ~ 2026-07-01
Amount · $222 / month
As of · 2026-07-01
Key metrics
These results do not reflect taxes. Based on historical data.
Risk & recovery
As important as returns. This service does not hide maximum drawdown or loss periods.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-32.8%
Largest drop from peak
Longest loss period
14months
Months in loss: 37
Recovery period
19months
Growth over time
Invested principal (dashed) and portfolio value (solid). Values below match the calculation.
Total invested $40,222 → Final value $75,812 (+88.5%), Maximum drawdown (MDD) -32.8%
Why this period and asset
EEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, spreading investment across large-cap stocks in roughly two dozen countries such as Korea, Taiwan, China, India, and Brazil. The 2011–2026 window was especially rough for emerging markets. After 2011 the commodity supercycle rolled over, hurting resource exporters; in 2013 fears of the Federal Reserve tapering ('taper tantrum') shook emerging-market currencies and equities. China's slowdown in 2015–2016, the 2020 pandemic shock, and Chinese regulation plus a strong dollar after 2021 all left emerging markets lagging the U.S. badly over the period—an era when so-called 'U.S. exceptionalism' stood out.
Interpreting the result
This scenario shows that regional diversification does not automatically mean better results. On the results screen, be sure to check the maximum drawdown (how far it fell from its peak), the underwater period (time spent below your invested amount), and the recovery time. Emerging markets carry high growth expectations but also high volatility, so there can be long stretches below your principal or slow recoveries. Monthly investing buys more units when prices are low, but it does not remove losses in an asset with large regional and currency risk.
Caveats & limits
Emerging-market ETFs are exposed to political and policy risk, sharp currency swings, and thinner liquidity. As a foreign asset, USD/KRW exchange-rate changes affect returns in won terms, and the ETF's expense ratio, trading costs, and taxes (on dividends and capital gains) erode real performance. Country weightings (concentration in a single country) can change results substantially. Past behavior does not guarantee future results, and this page does not recommend buying any specific asset.
Data sources & limits
- Price data source: Yahoo Finance / FinanceDataReader
- Collected on: 2026-07-23
- Effective trading date: 2026-07-01
- Price basis: 調整後終値(配当・株式分割を反映)
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected — figures are pre-tax.
- Based on historical data; does not guarantee future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Emerging markets are supposed to grow fast—why did returns lag?
Economic growth and stock returns are not the same thing. In emerging markets, weak currencies, political and regulatory risk, and falling commodity prices often keep corporate earnings growth from translating into share prices. Over 2011–2026 they lagged the U.S. for years.
Is diversifying across emerging markets safer than owning just the U.S.?
You add more countries, but emerging markets tend to fall together under a strong dollar or a global slowdown, so diversification may help less than expected. Compare the maximum drawdown and underwater period against a U.S. scenario on the results screen.
How much do exchange rates affect emerging-market investing?
EEM trades in dollars and internally holds many emerging-market currencies. If those currencies weaken while the dollar strengthens, it can hurt won-based returns twice over, so currency moves should be considered alongside price returns.
Related scenarios
📋 結果は過去のデータに基づくものです。過去のリターンは将来のリターンを保証しません。
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