BIL vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BIL (SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BIL is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BIL returned 2.18%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for EEM. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. BIL charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

BIL vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIL achieves a 1.49% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 27.80% return. Over the past 10 years, BIL has underperformed EEM with an annualized return of 2.18%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.93% annualized return.

BIL

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 3.87%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: 3.41%
• 10Y*: 2.18%

EEM

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 9.08%
• YTD: 27.80%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 55.80%
• 3Y*: 23.95%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

BIL vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	1.49%	4.15%	5.19%	4.94%	1.40%	-0.10%	0.40%	2.03%	1.74%	0.69%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	27.80%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between BIL and EEM is -0.12, 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	-0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.04
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.03
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2007	-0.02

The correlation between BIL and EEM shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.03 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BIL vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

BIL

BIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
BIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
BIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

BIL vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	BIL	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	19.71	2.81	+16.90
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	174.16	3.62	+170.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	87.91	1.51	+86.40
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	355.35	4.15	+351.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2,817.77	15.99	+2,801.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BIL vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIL Sharpe Ratio is 19.71, which is higher than the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIL and EEM, 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

	BIL	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.71	2.81	+16.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	13.16	0.37	+12.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	8.52	0.49	+8.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.78	0.38	+2.40

Drawdowns

BIL vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIL drawdown since its inception was -0.78%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIL and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIL	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.78%	-66.43%	+65.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.01%	-13.52%	+13.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.01%	-17.29%	+17.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.10%	-37.71%	+37.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-0.21%	-39.82%	+39.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.24%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-16.02%	+15.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	3.50%	-3.50%

Volatility

BIL vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL) is 0.05%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that BIL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIL	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.05%	8.52%	-8.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.13%	17.42%	-17.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20%	19.97%	-19.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.26%	18.91%	-18.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.26%	20.50%	-20.24%

BIL vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIL has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIL vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

BIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than EEM's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIL SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF	3.86%	4.13%	5.03%	4.92%	1.35%	0.00%	0.30%	2.05%	1.66%	0.68%	0.07%	0.00%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.74%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIL and EEM in my portfolio?

BIL and EEM have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BIL or EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to BIL (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIL dropped -0.78% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which ETF is better, BIL or EEM?

On 10-year performance, EEM leads with 9.93% vs 2.18% for BIL. On fees, BIL is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, BIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BIL or EEM?

Over the 10-year period, EEM has performed better with a 9.93% return vs 2.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BIL or EEM?

BIL is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BIL or EEM?

BIL has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 1.74% for EEM.

What is the main difference between BIL and EEM?

BIL is categorized as Government Bonds, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. BIL tracks Bloomberg 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for BIL and 0.72% for EEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (19.71 vs 2.81), 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.