iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) 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 LDEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM charges 0.16% annually. There are 7 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 17.31B | Mar 2007 | LDEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | LDEM vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | LDEM vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.63B | Jan 2010 | LDEM vs SCHE | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 86.15M | Apr 2020 | LDEM vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 24. There are 61 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 88.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 88 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | LDEM vs GEME | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 88 | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | LDEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 87 | — | Sep 2024 | LDEM vs EVLU | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 82 | 102.15M | Jun 2011 | LDEM vs DBEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 79 | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | LDEM vs EMXC |
Top Performing LDEM Alternatives (YTD)
LDEM is at 1.92% YTD. There are 61 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 36.43%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 36.43% | 262.88M | Dec 2007 | LDEM vs PIE | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 30.46% | 24.99B | Jul 2017 | LDEM vs EMXC | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 28.05% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | LDEM vs GEME | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 27.89% | 1.97B | Sep 2015 | LDEM vs XCEM | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 25.92% | — | Sep 2024 | LDEM vs EVLU |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has 19.01% 1-year volatility. There are 31 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 9.57%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 9.57% | — | Jun 2025 | LDEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.79% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | LDEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.50% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | LDEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 16.78M | Jun 2017 | LDEM vs RNEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.79% | 1.22B | Feb 2011 | LDEM vs EDIV |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.21%. There are 44 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.72%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -6.72% | — | Jun 2025 | LDEM vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.11M | Jan 2016 | LDEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.91B | Jul 2007 | LDEM vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 707.60M | May 2008 | LDEM vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | LDEM vs TDEC |
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 | 1.92% | 97.69B | May 2020 | LDEM vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -29.06% | 46.82B | Jan 2024 | LDEM vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 93 | 84.03% | 47.60B | Jul 2001 | LDEM vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 66 | 10.46% | 894.38B | May 2000 | LDEM vs IVV | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 13 | -1.48% | 42.18B | Jul 2002 | LDEM vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 86 | 12.23% | 42.05B | Jun 2014 | LDEM vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 27 | -19.03% | 28.37B | Apr 2006 | LDEM vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -7.29% | 60.94B | Jan 2005 | LDEM vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 69 | 19.72% | 83.34B | May 2000 | LDEM vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 10.93% | 33.36B | Mar 2008 | LDEM vs ACWI |
Often Compared With LDEM
Investors most often compare LDEM with EMXF, DIVISLAB.NS, EEM. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare LDEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare LDEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair LDEM with funds that move differently
iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to LDEM.
Explore LDEM Diversifiers