iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) belongs to the Emerging Markets Diversified category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with EEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to EEM
EEM charges 0.72% annually. There are 25 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Diversified category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.09%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 156.92B | Oct 2012 | EEM vs IEMG | |
| JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.15% | 800.86M | May 2023 | EEM vs BBEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF | 0.15% | 9.84M | Sep 2024 | EEM vs XCNY | |
| Franklin Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ... | 0.19% | 71.44M | Jun 2016 | EEM vs DIEM | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.32% | 151.08M | Jan 2023 | EEM vs STXE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to EEM
EEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 55. There are 23 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Diversified category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | EEM vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 87 | 39.52M | Mar 2023 | EEM vs EMDM | |
| Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 83 | 2.93B | May 2019 | EEM vs FRDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 79 | 127.61M | Oct 2023 | EEM vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 77 | 151.08M | Jan 2023 | EEM vs STXE |
Top Performing EEM Alternatives (YTD)
EEM is at 17.94% YTD. There are 25 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Diversified category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 57.19%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 57.19% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | EEM vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.92% | 127.61M | Oct 2023 | EEM vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 34.43% | 46.22M | Sep 2023 | EEM vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.86% | 151.08M | Jan 2023 | EEM vs STXE | |
| Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 28.51% | 2.93B | May 2019 | EEM vs FRDM |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to EEM
EEM has 23.69% 1-year volatility. There are 21 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Diversified category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 14.81%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund | 14.81% | 79.89M | Sep 2022 | EEM vs XC | |
| VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF | 15.81% | 243.04M | Oct 2017 | EEM vs UEVM | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | 17.12% | 1.78B | Oct 2007 | EEM vs DGS | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF | 18.50% | 9.84M | Sep 2024 | EEM vs XCNY | |
| Avantis Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity ETF | 18.59% | 117.70M | Nov 2023 | EEM vs AVEE |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to EEM
EEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.52%. There are 16 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Diversified category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.79%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares Emerging Markets Value Momentum ETF | -9.79% | 243.04M | Oct 2017 | EEM vs UEVM | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund | -10.06% | 1.78B | Oct 2007 | EEM vs DGS | |
| Avantis Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity ETF | -10.65% | 117.70M | Nov 2023 | EEM vs AVEE | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | -10.83% | 282.49M | Sep 2014 | EEM vs HEEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF | -10.87% | 375.84M | Aug 2011 | EEM vs EEMS |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $894B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.95% | 97.69B | May 2020 | EEM vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -26.71% | 46.82B | Jan 2024 | EEM vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 91 | 76.35% | 47.60B | Jul 2001 | EEM vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.73% | 894.38B | May 2000 | EEM vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 88 | 12.80% | 42.05B | Jun 2014 | EEM vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 15 | -1.19% | 42.18B | Jul 2002 | EEM vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 26 | -21.78% | 28.37B | Apr 2006 | EEM vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 21 | -7.85% | 60.94B | Jan 2005 | EEM vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 72 | 20.58% | 83.34B | May 2000 | EEM vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 11.23% | 33.36B | Mar 2008 | EEM vs ACWI |
Often Compared With EEM
Investors most often compare EEM with VWO, SPY, VXUS. These 20 comparison targets span 9 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare EEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare EEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair EEM with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to EEM.
Explore EEM Diversifiers