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 10 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% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | LDEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | LDEM vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | LDEM vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | LDEM vs IEMG | |
| BNY Mellon Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 89.24M | Apr 2020 | LDEM vs BKEM |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 28. There are 99 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities 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 | LDEM vs EMEQ | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | LDEM vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | LDEM vs EVLU | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 90 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | LDEM vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 87 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | LDEM vs FTHF |
Top Performing LDEM Alternatives (YTD)
LDEM is at 3.29% YTD. There are 100 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 53.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 53.76% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | LDEM vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.68% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | LDEM vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.48% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | LDEM vs STXE | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 30.73% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | LDEM vs EMSF | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.70% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | LDEM vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has 19.51% 1-year volatility. There are 40 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.64% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | LDEM vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | LDEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | LDEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | LDEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | LDEM vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to LDEM
LDEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.21%. There are 41 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 | LDEM vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | LDEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | LDEM vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | LDEM vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | LDEM 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 | 2.11% | 99.95B | May 2020 | LDEM vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 1 | -28.22% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | LDEM vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 67.84% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | LDEM vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 67 | 10.13% | 869.20B | May 2000 | LDEM vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 91 | 13.39% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | LDEM vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 9 | -3.49% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | LDEM vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 36 | -18.72% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | LDEM vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 30 | -6.16% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | LDEM vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 79 | 18.79% | 80.11B | May 2000 | LDEM vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 71 | 11.28% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | LDEM vs ACWI |
Often Compared With LDEM
Investors most often compare LDEM with EMXF, DIVISLAB.NS, ESGE. 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