AAXJ vs. IEMG
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG).
AAXJ and IEMG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. AAXJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. It was launched on Aug 13, 2008. IEMG is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. Both AAXJ and IEMG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: AAXJ or IEMG.
Key characteristics
| AAXJ | IEMG | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 6.29% | 5.65% |
| 1Y Return | 9.18% | 13.88% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -6.69% | -3.53% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 1.20% | 2.87% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 3.68% | 3.34% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.63 | 1.02 |
| Daily Std Dev | 15.89% | 14.45% |
| Max Drawdown | -49.37% | -38.72% |
| Current Drawdown | -26.37% | -16.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between AAXJ and IEMG is 0.97, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
AAXJ vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, AAXJ achieves a 6.29% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 5.65% return. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ has outperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 3.68%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively lower 3.34% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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AAXJ vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison
AAXJ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.14% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
AAXJ vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Dividends
AAXJ vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison
AAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, less than IEMG's 2.73% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 2.13% | 2.26% | 1.73% | 2.20% | 1.05% | 1.82% | 2.09% | 1.98% | 1.76% | 2.43% | 1.77% | 1.76% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.73% | 2.89% | 2.71% | 3.06% | 1.87% | 3.14% | 2.74% | 2.33% | 2.26% | 2.51% | 2.29% | 1.75% |
Drawdowns
AAXJ vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AAXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.37%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAXJ and IEMG. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
AAXJ vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 4.89%. This indicates that AAXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.