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EEM vs. MAIN
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EEM vs. MAIN

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) is Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while MAIN (Main Street Capital Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, EEM returned 9.91%/yr vs 13.19%/yr for MAIN. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

EEM vs. MAIN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EEM achieves a 24.07% return, which is significantly higher than MAIN's -10.97% return. Over the past 10 years, EEM has underperformed MAIN with an annualized return of 9.91%, while MAIN has yielded a comparatively higher 13.19% annualized return.

EEM

1D
0.56%
1M
0.74%
YTD
24.07%
6M
26.94%
1Y
47.57%
3Y*
21.60%
5Y*
6.56%
10Y*
9.91%

MAIN

1D
0.54%
1M
3.14%
YTD
-10.97%
6M
-12.92%
1Y
-3.16%
3Y*
18.74%
5Y*
12.76%
10Y*
13.19%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EEM vs. MAIN - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		24.07%33.98%6.49%8.95%-20.56%-3.63%17.02%18.22%-15.31%37.26%
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation		-10.97%10.74%47.30%28.22%-11.37%48.31%-19.54%36.88%-8.27%16.62%

Correlation

The correlation between EEM and MAIN is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.32

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.33

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.37

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.34

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 9, 2007

0.36

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Main Street Capital Corporation

Often compared with EEM:
EEM vs. VWOEEM vs. SPYEEM vs. IEMGEEM vs. IS3N.DEEEM vs. VXUSEEM vs. EEMSEEM vs. SPEM
Often compared with MAIN:
MAIN vs. ARCCMAIN vs. JEPIMAIN vs. SCHDMAIN vs. VOOMAIN vs. HTGCMAIN vs. CSWCMAIN vs. PSEC

Return for Risk

EEM vs. MAIN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EEM
EEM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
MAIN
MAIN Risk / Return Rank: 3434
Overall Rank
MAIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3636
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MAIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 3131
Sortino Ratio Rank
MAIN Omega Ratio Rank: 3131
Omega Ratio Rank
MAIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
MAIN Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

EEM vs. MAIN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

EEMMAINDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.10
-0.16

+2.26

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
-0.05

+2.78

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

0.99

+0.40

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.36

-0.18

+3.54

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.38

-0.35

+12.74

EEM vs. MAIN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is higher than the MAIN Sharpe Ratio of -0.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EEM and MAIN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

EEM vs. MAIN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EEM drawdown since its inception was -66.43%, roughly equal to the maximum MAIN drawdown of -64.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEM and MAIN.

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Drawdown Indicators

EEMMAINDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-66.43%

-64.53%

-1.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.52%

-22.43%

+8.91%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.29%

-22.43%

+5.14%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-37.49%

-27.06%

-10.43%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.82%

-64.53%

+24.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.12%

-18.28%

+14.16%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.00%

-7.31%

-8.69%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.67%

11.18%

-7.51%

Volatility

EEM vs. MAIN - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a higher volatility of 10.80% compared to Main Street Capital Corporation (MAIN) at 5.82%. This indicates that EEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MAIN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EEMMAINDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.80%

5.82%

+4.98%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.39%

20.12%

-0.73%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.64%

24.84%

-3.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.26%

21.57%

-2.31%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.64%

27.30%

-6.66%

Dividends

EEM vs. MAIN - Dividend Comparison

EEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than MAIN's 8.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		1.79%2.22%2.43%2.63%2.50%1.99%1.45%2.76%2.24%1.89%1.89%2.49%
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation		8.25%7.00%7.02%8.55%7.97%5.74%6.99%6.76%8.43%7.49%7.42%9.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

EEM and MAIN have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EEM has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to MAIN (5.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEM dropped -66.43% vs MAIN's -64.53%.

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs -0.16), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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