BREM vs. EMB
BREM (iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF) and EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. BREM is actively managed, while EMB is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BREM charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EMB.
Performance
BREM vs. EMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BREM achieves a 3.26% return, which is significantly higher than EMB's 2.01% return.
BREM
- 1D
- -0.21%
- 1M
- 1.16%
- YTD
- 3.26%
- 6M
- 3.89%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMB
- 1D
- 0.21%
- 1M
- 1.03%
- YTD
- 2.01%
- 6M
- 2.23%
- 1Y
- 11.38%
- 3Y*
- 9.69%
- 5Y*
- 1.90%
- 10Y*
- 3.29%
BREM vs. EMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.26% | 2.74% |
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 2.01% | 1.83% |
Correlation
The correlation between BREM and EMB is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2025 | 0.83 |
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Return for Risk
BREM vs. EMB — Risk / Return Rank
BREM
EMB
BREM vs. EMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM) 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.
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BREM | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | — | 2.06 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.20 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.33 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.75 | 0.44 | +1.31 |
Drawdowns
BREM vs. EMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BREM drawdown since its inception was -4.54%, smaller than the maximum EMB drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BREM and EMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BREM | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -4.54% | -34.70% | +30.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -4.51% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -7.95% | — |
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 | -0.21% | -0.17% | -0.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.67% | -5.06% | +4.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 1.05% | — |
Volatility
BREM vs. EMB - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| BREM | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 1.81% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 4.51% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.70% | 5.56% | +0.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.70% | 9.75% | -4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.70% | 9.95% | -4.25% |
BREM vs. EMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
BREM has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than EMB's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
BREM vs. EMB - Dividend Comparison
BREM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.91%, less than EMB's 5.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.91% | 1.19% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 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 | 5.04% | 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
BREM and EMB have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, EMB is cheaper at 0.39% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
EMB is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for BREM.
EMB has the higher dividend yield at 5.04%, compared with 3.91% for BREM.
They also come from different issuers: BlackRock and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for BREM and 0.39% for EMB.
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