BEMB vs. EMB
BEMB (Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds from iShares. BEMB is actively managed, while EMB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BEMB returned 8.80%/yr vs 9.74%/yr for EMB. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BEMB charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EMB.
Performance
BEMB vs. EMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BEMB achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly lower than EMB's 1.80% return.
BEMB
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.94%
- YTD
- 1.27%
- 6M
- 1.64%
- 1Y
- 9.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.80%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMB
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 1.29%
- YTD
- 1.80%
- 6M
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 11.56%
- 3Y*
- 9.74%
- 5Y*
- 1.86%
- 10Y*
- 3.29%
BEMB vs. EMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BEMB Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 1.27% | 12.27% | 5.51% | 8.88% |
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 1.80% | 13.85% | 5.54% | 9.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between BEMB and EMB is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2023 | 0.97 |
The correlation between BEMB and EMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BEMB vs. EMB — Risk / Return Rank
BEMB
EMB
BEMB vs. EMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). 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.
| BEMB | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.41 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.68 | 2.58 | +0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.53 | 11.01 | +0.52 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BEMB | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.30 | 2.09 | +0.21 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.19 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.33 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.45 | 0.44 | +1.02 |
Drawdowns
BEMB vs. EMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BEMB drawdown since its inception was -6.17%, smaller than the maximum EMB drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEMB and EMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BEMB | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.17% | -34.70% | +28.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.67% | -4.51% | +0.84% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.17% | -7.95% | +1.78% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -28.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -28.74% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -0.37% | +0.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.94% | -5.06% | +4.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.85% | 1.05% | -0.20% |
Volatility
BEMB vs. EMB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) is 1.49%, while iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) has a volatility of 1.85%. This indicates that BEMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BEMB | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 1.85% | -0.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.46% | 4.52% | -1.06% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.26% | 5.56% | -1.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 9.75% | -3.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 9.96% | -4.08% |
BEMB vs. EMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BEMB has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than EMB's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
BEMB vs. EMB - Dividend Comparison
BEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than EMB's 5.06% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEMB Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 6.88% | 6.88% | 6.31% | 5.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.06% | 4.98% | 5.46% | 4.74% | 5.04% | 3.89% | 3.88% | 4.51% | 5.64% | 4.54% | 4.83% | 4.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, BEMB and EMB 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.
EMB has higher volatility (1.85%) compared to BEMB (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEMB dropped -6.17% vs EMB's -34.70%.
On 3-year performance, EMB leads with 9.74% vs 8.80% for BEMB. On fees, BEMB is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BEMB has been the lower-risk option at 1.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, EMB has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 8.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BEMB is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for EMB.
BEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.88%, compared with 5.06% for EMB.
Their fees differ too: 0.18% for BEMB and 0.39% for EMB.
BEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.09), 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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