CEMB vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CEMB (iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CEMB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the JP Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CEMB returned 3.49%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CEMB charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

CEMB vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CEMB achieves a 1.49% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, CEMB has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 3.49%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

CEMB

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.49%
• 6M: 1.83%
• 1Y: 7.31%
• 3Y*: 7.31%
• 5Y*: 1.97%
• 10Y*: 3.49%

ACWI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 12.13%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: 29.18%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.85%

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

CEMB vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF	1.49%	8.86%	5.81%	8.37%	-12.58%	-0.59%	6.77%	13.90%	-2.57%	7.11%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between CEMB and ACWI is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2012	0.29

Over the past year, CEMB and ACWI have become more correlated (0.54) than their long-term average of 0.29, meaning their price movements have been converging.

CEMB vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CEMB	ACWI
Industrials	100.0%	10.9%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Communication Services	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Financial Services	-	16.1%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	29.4%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

CEMB vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

CEMB

CEMB Risk / Return Rank: 69
CEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
CEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
CEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 78
CEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
CEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 62

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 66
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

CEMB vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). 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.

	CEMB	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.29	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	3.17	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.41	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	3.01	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.06	13.53	-2.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CEMB vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CEMB Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CEMB and ACWI, 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

	CEMB	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.29	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.71	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.75	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.43	+0.07

Drawdowns

CEMB vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CEMB drawdown since its inception was -20.84%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CEMB and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CEMB	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.84%	-56.00%	+35.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-9.73%	+6.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.85%	-16.55%	+12.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.48%	-26.42%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-20.84%	-33.53%	+12.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.83%	+0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-8.61%	+4.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	2.16%	-1.50%

Volatility

CEMB vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB) is 1.08%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that CEMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CEMB	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.08%	3.93%	-2.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.43%	10.29%	-7.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06%	12.78%	-9.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.63%	16.05%	-10.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.30%	17.11%	-10.81%

CEMB vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

CEMB has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

CEMB vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

CEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.13%, more than ACWI's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.38%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
CEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF	5.13%	5.14%	5.11%	4.77%	4.29%	3.51%	3.86%	4.19%	4.66%	4.06%	4.26%	4.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CEMB and ACWI in my portfolio?

CEMB and ACWI have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CEMB or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to CEMB (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CEMB dropped -20.84% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, CEMB or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 3.49% for CEMB. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, CEMB has been the lower-risk option at 1.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CEMB or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 3.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CEMB or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for CEMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CEMB or ACWI?

CEMB has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between CEMB and ACWI?

CEMB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while ACWI is Global Equities. CEMB tracks JP Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for CEMB and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 2.29), 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.