iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with IEMG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to IEMG
IEMG charges 0.09% annually. There are 3 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | IEMG vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | IEMG vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | IEMG vs VWO | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | IEMG vs BKEM | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.59B | Jan 2010 | IEMG vs SCHE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to IEMG
IEMG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 62. There are 55 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 92.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 92 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | IEMG vs EMEQ | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | IEMG vs EVLU | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | IEMG vs GEME | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 89 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | IEMG vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 86 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | IEMG vs FTHF |
Top Performing IEMG Alternatives (YTD)
IEMG is at 17.13% YTD. There are 61 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 55.77%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 55.77% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | IEMG vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 35.77% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | IEMG vs FTHF | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 32.23% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | IEMG vs EMSF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.89% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | IEMG vs STXE | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 30.26% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | IEMG vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to IEMG
IEMG has 23.74% 1-year volatility. There are 70 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.65%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.65% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | IEMG vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | IEMG vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | IEMG vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | IEMG vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | IEMG vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to IEMG
IEMG has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.78%. There are 53 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | IEMG vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | IEMG vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | IEMG vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | IEMG vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | IEMG vs ECOW |
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 $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.13% | 99.95B | May 2020 | IEMG vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.17% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | IEMG vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 68.76% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | IEMG vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 78 | 11.75% | 869.20B | May 2000 | IEMG vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 92 | 13.79% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | IEMG vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 7 | -3.18% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | IEMG vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 35 | -18.57% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | IEMG vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -6.14% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | IEMG vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 85 | 20.84% | 80.11B | May 2000 | IEMG vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.35% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | IEMG vs ACWI |
Often Compared With IEMG
Investors most often compare IEMG with EEM, IEFA, EMXC. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare IEMG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare IEMG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair IEMG with funds that move differently
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to IEMG.
Explore IEMG Diversifiers