BEMB vs. TLT
BEMB (Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by iShares, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. BEMB is actively managed, while TLT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BEMB returned 8.80%/yr vs -1.80%/yr for TLT. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BEMB charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.
Performance
BEMB vs. TLT - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BEMB achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.27% return.
BEMB
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.94%
- YTD
- 1.27%
- 6M
- 1.64%
- 1Y
- 9.77%
- 3Y*
- 8.80%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
TLT
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- 0.81%
- YTD
- -0.27%
- 6M
- -2.02%
- 1Y
- 4.93%
- 3Y*
- -1.80%
- 5Y*
- -6.31%
- 10Y*
- -1.66%
BEMB vs. TLT - 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% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | -0.27% | 4.25% | -8.05% | 1.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between BEMB and TLT is 0.71, 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 | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.76 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2023 | 0.76 |
The correlation between BEMB and TLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
BEMB vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank
BEMB
TLT
BEMB vs. TLT - 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 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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 | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.80 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.09 | +0.36 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.68 | 0.65 | +2.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.53 | 1.63 | +9.91 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BEMB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.30 | 0.51 | +1.80 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.40 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | -0.11 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.45 | 0.26 | +1.20 |
Drawdowns
BEMB vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BEMB drawdown since its inception was -6.17%, smaller than the maximum TLT drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEMB and TLT.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| BEMB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.17% | -48.35% | +42.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.67% | -7.58% | +3.91% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.17% | -19.18% | +13.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -43.70% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.35% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.34% | -40.44% | +40.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.94% | -13.82% | +12.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.85% | 3.04% | -2.19% |
Volatility
BEMB vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) is 1.49%, while iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) has a volatility of 2.76%. This indicates that BEMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| BEMB | TLT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.49% | 2.76% | -1.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.46% | 6.50% | -3.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.26% | 9.77% | -5.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 15.87% | -9.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 14.91% | -9.03% |
BEMB vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison
BEMB has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% 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
BEMB vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison
BEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than TLT's 4.59% 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% |
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | 4.59% | 4.43% | 4.30% | 3.38% | 2.67% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 2.27% | 2.63% | 2.43% | 2.60% | 2.61% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BEMB and TLT have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TLT has higher volatility (2.76%) compared to BEMB (1.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEMB dropped -6.17% vs TLT's -48.35%.
On 3-year performance, BEMB leads with 8.80% vs -1.80% for TLT. On fees, TLT is cheaper at 0.15% 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 -1.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
TLT is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for BEMB.
BEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.88%, compared with 4.59% for TLT.
BEMB is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while TLT is Government Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for BEMB and 0.15% for TLT.
BEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 0.51), 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.
Find the right allocation for BEMB and TLT
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer