AGEM vs. IBIC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AGEM (abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF) and IBIC (iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by abrdn, while IBIC is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund tracking the ICE 2026 Maturity US Inflation-Linked Treasury Index. AGEM is actively managed, while IBIC is passively managed. Over the past year, AGEM returned 63.11% vs 4.54% for IBIC. At a correlation of -0.22, they often move in opposite directions. AGEM charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for IBIC.

Performance

AGEM vs. IBIC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGEM achieves a 31.54% return, which is significantly higher than IBIC's 2.37% return.

AGEM

• 1D: -1.46%
• 1M: 8.91%
• YTD: 31.54%
• 6M: 33.66%
• 1Y: 63.11%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IBIC

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 2.51%
• 1Y: 4.54%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGEM vs. IBIC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	31.54%	29.81%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	2.37%	3.82%

Correlation

The correlation between AGEM and IBIC is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2025	-0.22

Return for Risk

AGEM vs. IBIC — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGEM

AGEM Risk / Return Rank: 87
AGEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
AGEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
AGEM Omega Ratio Rank: 88
AGEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AGEM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

IBIC

IBIC Risk / Return Rank: 98
IBIC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
IBIC Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBIC Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGEM vs. IBIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) and iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC). 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.

	AGEM	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.15	5.05	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.97	9.12	-5.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	2.24	-0.69
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	17.27	-12.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.79	67.45	-49.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AGEM vs. IBIC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGEM Sharpe Ratio is 3.15, which is lower than the IBIC Sharpe Ratio of 5.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGEM and IBIC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AGEM	IBIC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15	5.05	-1.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.41	3.49	-1.08

Drawdowns

AGEM vs. IBIC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGEM drawdown since its inception was -15.58%, which is greater than IBIC's maximum drawdown of -0.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGEM and IBIC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGEM	IBIC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.58%	-0.90%	-14.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.92%	-0.26%	-13.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-0.13%	-1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-0.10%	-2.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	0.07%	+3.49%

Volatility

AGEM vs. IBIC - Volatility Comparison

abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF (AGEM) has a higher volatility of 9.15% compared to iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF (IBIC) at 0.33%. This indicates that AGEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGEM	IBIC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.15%	0.33%	+8.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.67%	0.67%	+17.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.15%	0.90%	+19.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	1.58%	+19.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	1.58%	+19.93%

AGEM vs. IBIC - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGEM has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than IBIC's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGEM vs. IBIC - Dividend Comparison

AGEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than IBIC's 3.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AGEM abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF	1.71%	1.80%	0.00%	0.00%
IBIC iShares iBonds Oct 2026 Term TIPS ETF	3.59%	4.43%	4.65%	0.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGEM and IBIC in my portfolio?

AGEM and IBIC have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGEM or IBIC?

AGEM has higher volatility (9.15%) compared to IBIC (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGEM dropped -15.58% vs IBIC's -0.90%.

Which ETF is better, AGEM or IBIC?

On 1-year performance, AGEM leads with 63.11% vs 4.54% for IBIC. On fees, IBIC is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, IBIC has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGEM or IBIC?

Over the 1-year period, AGEM has performed better with a 63.11% return vs 4.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGEM or IBIC?

IBIC is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for AGEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGEM or IBIC?

IBIC has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 1.71% for AGEM.

What is the main difference between AGEM and IBIC?

AGEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IBIC is Inflation-Protected Bonds. They also come from different issuers: abrdn and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for AGEM and 0.10% for IBIC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBIC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.05 vs 3.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.