What Is the STXE ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) is a passive ETF that invests broadly in large- and mid-cap emerging market stocks excluding China, using market-cap weighting. Its expense ratio, country mix, and dividend frequency are the key selection criteria, and it is worth considering for investors who want a core emerging markets holding.
SubscribeWhat Is the Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF?
This is a passive ETF that tracks an index of large- and mid-cap emerging market stocks excluding China. It holds stocks from multiple emerging markets on a market-cap-weighted basis, and some holdings are included in the form of depositary receipts (ADRs and GDRs).
It suits long-term investors who want to diversify across emerging markets while excluding the weight of China as a single country.
It is a passive (index-tracking) ETF managed by Strive.
How Does the Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | Bloomberg Emerging Markets ex-China Large & Mid Cap Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Quarterly |
| Dividend Frequency | Semiannual |
| Issuer | Strive |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.32% |
The fund holds the large- and mid-cap emerging market stocks included in the index at their market-cap weights, tracking the performance of emerging markets as a whole excluding China. It typically invests a substantial portion of its assets in emerging market stocks and related depositary receipts, and individual stock weights are adjusted based on free-float market capitalization.
- Emerging markets exposure that structurally excludes China
- Broad diversification across multiple emerging markets
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Expense Ratio)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $131.9M, and the total expense ratio is 0.32% per year.
Compared with broad ETFs in the same emerging markets category, the key difference is the exclusion of China, and the fee level is worth reviewing against the category average.
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeReturns tend to move with the broader emerging markets equity trend, the strength of the dollar, and global risk appetite. Because China is excluded, the influence of other emerging markets such as India, Taiwan, and South Korea is relatively more prominent.
As demand for emerging markets exposure outside China has grown, investor interest has continued to flow into the ex-China category. Inflows tend to be especially notable when the dollar weakens or when risk appetite toward emerging markets improves.
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Pros and Cons
Its strength is country diversification through the exclusion of China, while its weaknesses are the volatility inherent to emerging markets and currency exposure.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
The three tickers in the table, FNDE, XSOE, and EMGF, are broad ETFs in the same emerging markets category, and they differ in construction philosophy, using fundamental weighting, exclusion of state-owned enterprises, and a factor-based approach, respectively. PXH and FRDM also provide emerging markets exposure, but their weighting and selection methods differ. For a direct substitute with the same concept of excluding China, EMXC is available and can be compared alongside it.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 FNDE | Schwab Fundamental Emerging Markets Equity ETF | $41.70 | +0.1% | $10.2B | 0.39% | 3.56% | +13.5% |
 FRDM | Alpha Architect Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | $63.64 | +0.7% | $3.3B | 0.49% | 1.85% | +36.0% |
 PXH | Invesco RAFI Emerging Markets ETF | $28.76 | +0.1% | $2.0B | 0.47% | 4.04% | +11.3% |
 XSOE | WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund | $43.50 | +0.3% | $1.9B | 0.32% | 1.79% | +12.0% |
 EMGF | iShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF | $66.51 | +0.4% | $1.8B | 0.26% | 2.17% | +14.7% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR | 0.38% | $418.51 | +1.5% | $2.17T | 26.9 | 0.99% |
| SKHY | SK Hynix Inc ADR | 0.10% | $137.02 | +4.0% | $998.7B | 8.9 | 0.38% |
| HDB | HDFC Bank Ltd ADR | 0.03% | $22.09 | -1.6% | $113.5B | 13.2 | 1.94% |
| IBN | ICICI Bank Ltd ADR | 0.03% | $29.46 | -1.6% | $105.8B | 16.8 | 0.98% |
| VALE | Vale SA ADR | 0.01% | $12.40 | +1.6% | $50.5B | 26.1 | 7.96% |
| ITUB | Itau Unibanco Holding SA ADR | 0.01% | $9.67 | +1.9% | $52.3B | 12.6 | 6.06% |
| AU | AngloGold Ashanti Plc | 0.01% | $83.59 | -1.9% | $42.2B | 11.2 | 5.77% |
Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF Investor Checkpoints
These are the points to review before investing in STXE. The China-free composition is its core feature, but the expense ratio, country mix, and currency exposure should be confirmed in advance, and the volatility inherent to emerging markets should also be considered.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Compare with category average |
| 🌏 Country Mix | Trend in country weights after excluding China | Needs confirmation |
| 💱 Currency | Impact on returns when converted to Korean won | No currency hedge applied |
| 📊 Diversification | Stock and country diversification within emerging markets | Broadly diversified |
The volatility inherent to emerging markets and currency fluctuations are the main drivers of short-term volatility. Because excluding China can raise the weight of certain emerging markets, country concentration risk should also be reviewed.
It is an option worth considering for long-term investors who want core emerging markets exposure without China. Comparing the expense ratio, composition, and liquidity against EMXC, an alternative with the same concept, is recommended before deciding.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 25, 2026.
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