iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) 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 UAE. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to UAE
UAE charges 0.59% annually. There are 40 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% | 17.88B | Mar 2007 | UAE vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 235.70M | Sep 2025 | UAE vs VEXC | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 162.80B | Mar 2005 | UAE vs VWO | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.80B | Jan 2010 | UAE vs SCHE | |
| Xtrackers Emerging Markets Carbon Reduction and Cl... | 0.15% | 58.93M | Dec 2018 | UAE vs EMCR |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to UAE
UAE has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 15. There are 58 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 90.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | UAE vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 88 | 26.40B | Jul 2017 | UAE vs EMXC | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 88 | — | Sep 2024 | UAE vs EVLU | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 88 | 257.92M | Dec 2007 | UAE vs PIE | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF | 87 | 107.84M | Jun 2011 | UAE vs DBEM |
Top Performing UAE Alternatives (YTD)
UAE is at 3.39% YTD. There are 54 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 41.14%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco S&P Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 41.14% | 21.60M | Feb 2012 | UAE vs EEMO | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF | 40.62% | 26.40B | Jul 2017 | UAE vs EMXC | |
| Invesco DWA Emerging Markets Momentum ETF | 39.08% | 257.92M | Dec 2007 | UAE vs PIE | |
| Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF | 35.82% | 2.09B | Sep 2015 | UAE vs XCEM | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 34.41% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | UAE vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to UAE
UAE has 22.86% 1-year volatility. There are 56 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.18%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 8.18% | — | Jun 2025 | UAE vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 10.58% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | UAE vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.44% | 7.21M | Jan 2016 | UAE vs EMDV | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF | 12.56% | 1.28B | Feb 2011 | UAE vs EDIV | |
| iShares MSCI Qatar ETF | 13.15% | 67.45M | Apr 2014 | UAE vs QAT |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to UAE
UAE has a 1-year max drawdown of -21.50%. There are 64 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -4.47%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | -4.47% | — | Jun 2025 | UAE vs TJUN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.21M | Jan 2016 | UAE vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 4.03B | Jul 2007 | UAE vs DEM | |
| SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF | -7.98% | 747.02M | May 2008 | UAE vs EWX | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | UAE vs TDEC |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, IVV and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $838B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 1.73% | 95.28B | May 2020 | UAE vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -32.49% | 48.04B | Jan 2024 | UAE vs IBIT | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 63 | 8.10% | 837.93B | May 2000 | UAE vs IVV | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 96 | 107.83% | 46.67B | Jul 2001 | UAE vs SOXX | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 15 | 2.11% | 41.34B | Jul 2002 | UAE vs TLT | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 82 | 9.70% | 41.89B | Jun 2014 | UAE vs DGRO | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 29 | -18.72% | 32.53B | Apr 2006 | UAE vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 22 | -6.73% | 64.29B | Jan 2005 | UAE vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 78 | 21.93% | 81.35B | May 2000 | UAE vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 63 | 10.05% | 32.95B | Mar 2008 | UAE vs ACWI |
Often Compared With UAE
Investors most often compare UAE with KSA, SPY, VOO. These 20 comparison targets span 10 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare UAE with Any Fund or Stock
Compare UAE with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair UAE with funds that move differently
iShares MSCI UAE ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to UAE.
Explore UAE Diversifiers