BBEM vs. IEMG
BBEM (JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - BBEM tracks the Morningstar Emerging Markets Target Market Exposure Index - Benchmark TR Net while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BBEM returned 21.42%/yr vs 22.14%/yr for IEMG. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BBEM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.
Performance
BBEM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BBEM having a 21.92% return and IEMG slightly higher at 21.95%.
BBEM
- 1D
- -5.86%
- 1M
- 2.04%
- YTD
- 21.92%
- 6M
- 22.38%
- 1Y
- 44.01%
- 3Y*
- 21.42%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IEMG
- 1D
- -5.44%
- 1M
- 1.74%
- YTD
- 21.95%
- 6M
- 22.64%
- 1Y
- 43.66%
- 3Y*
- 22.14%
- 5Y*
- 7.05%
- 10Y*
- 10.38%
BBEM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BBEM JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 21.92% | 32.43% | 5.61% | 6.01% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 21.95% | 32.56% | 6.50% | 7.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between BBEM and IEMG is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2023 | 0.98 |
The correlation between BBEM and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.98 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BBEM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank
BBEM
IEMG
BBEM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BBEM | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.38 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.37 | 3.32 | +0.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.56 | 12.15 | +0.42 |
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Drawdowns
BBEM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BBEM drawdown since its inception was -17.42%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBEM and IEMG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BBEM | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.42% | -38.71% | +21.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.12% | -13.21% | +0.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.42% | -17.21% | -0.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -35.75% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -38.71% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.86% | -5.44% | -0.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.71% | -12.93% | +9.22% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.51% | 3.61% | -0.10% |
Volatility
BBEM vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison
JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF (BBEM) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) have volatilities of 12.60% and 12.22%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BBEM | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.60% | 12.22% | +0.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.54% | 20.14% | +0.40% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.39% | 22.12% | +0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.48% | 18.99% | -0.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.48% | 20.20% | -1.72% |
BBEM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison
BBEM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BBEM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison
BBEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.78%, more than IEMG's 2.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BBEM JPMorgan Betabuilders Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 4.78% | 5.86% | 2.73% | 1.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.21% | 2.75% | 3.20% | 2.89% | 2.71% | 3.06% | 1.87% | 3.15% | 2.76% | 2.35% | 2.28% | 2.53% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, BBEM and IEMG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
BBEM has higher volatility (12.60%) compared to IEMG (12.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBEM dropped -17.42% vs IEMG's -38.71%.
On 3-year performance, IEMG leads with 22.14% vs 21.42% for BBEM. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 12.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 22.14% return vs 21.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for BBEM.
BBEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.78%, compared with 2.21% for IEMG.
BBEM tracks Morningstar Emerging Markets Target Market Exposure Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for BBEM and 0.09% for IEMG.
IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.98), 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.
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