Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF surges 38% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500 by $19,000 on a $50,000 investment.
The Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has risen 38% year-to-date, converting a $50,000 investment into roughly $19,000 more than the same allocation in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). XCEM closed at $53.06 on June 3, 2026, up from $38.36 at the start of the year, while SPY climbed from $681.92 to $754.24, a 11% gain.
Over the past twelve months, XCEM’s return reaches 71%, nearly triple SPY’s 27% gain. The outperformance is driven by exposure to semiconductor manufacturers like TSMC and Korean chipmakers, benefiting from AI-driven demand. The gap narrows the five-year performance difference between the two funds.
Market risks include a strengthening dollar, slower hyperscaler capital expenditure, or effective China stimulus, which could reverse XCEM’s rally. Investors are advised to monitor the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) and TSMC’s monthly revenue.