BEMB vs. FEMB
BEMB (Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, BEMB returned 8.80%/yr vs 7.79%/yr for FEMB. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BEMB charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FEMB.
Performance
BEMB vs. FEMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BEMB achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly higher than FEMB's 0.60% return.
BEMB
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.94%
- YTD
- 1.27%
- 6M
- 1.64%
- 1Y
- 9.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.80%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FEMB
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- 0.57%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.88%
- 1Y
- 10.20%
- 3Y*
- 7.79%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 2.51%
BEMB vs. FEMB - 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% |
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 0.60% | 21.77% | -5.61% | 15.73% |
Correlation
The correlation between BEMB and FEMB is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2023 | 0.54 |
The correlation between BEMB and FEMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BEMB vs. FEMB — Risk / Return Rank
BEMB
FEMB
BEMB vs. FEMB - 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 First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB). 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 | FEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.23 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.68 | 1.35 | +1.33 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.53 | 4.34 | +7.19 |
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 | FEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.30 | 1.22 | +1.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.16 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.23 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.45 | 0.09 | +1.37 |
Drawdowns
BEMB vs. FEMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BEMB drawdown since its inception was -6.17%, smaller than the maximum FEMB drawdown of -30.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEMB and FEMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BEMB | FEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.17% | -30.44% | +24.27% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.67% | -7.58% | +3.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.17% | -10.13% | +3.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -27.85% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -30.44% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -3.91% | +3.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.94% | -9.93% | +8.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.85% | 2.35% | -1.50% |
Volatility
BEMB vs. FEMB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) is 1.49%, while First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) has a volatility of 3.05%. This indicates that BEMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BEMB | FEMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 3.05% | -1.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.46% | 6.57% | -3.11% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.26% | 8.36% | -4.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 10.26% | -4.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 10.99% | -5.11% |
BEMB vs. FEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BEMB has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than FEMB's 0.85% expense ratio.
Dividends
BEMB vs. FEMB - Dividend Comparison
BEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than FEMB's 6.06% 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% |
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.06% | 5.67% | 6.09% | 5.15% | 6.35% | 6.12% | 5.29% | 5.40% | 5.86% | 6.38% | 5.83% | 4.89% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BEMB and FEMB have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FEMB has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to BEMB (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEMB dropped -6.17% vs FEMB's -30.44%.
On 3-year performance, BEMB leads with 8.80% vs 7.79% for FEMB. 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, BEMB has performed better with a 8.80% return vs 7.79%. 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 0.85% for FEMB.
BEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.88%, compared with 6.06% for FEMB.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for BEMB and 0.85% for FEMB.
BEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.22), 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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