EMB vs. EMBX
EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and EMBX (VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. EMB is passively managed, while EMBX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMB returned 2.87%/yr vs 4.85%/yr for EMBX. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.76%/yr for EMBX.
Performance
EMB vs. EMBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMB achieves a 1.90% return, which is significantly lower than EMBX's 3.74% return. Over the past 10 years, EMB has underperformed EMBX with an annualized return of 2.87%, while EMBX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.85% annualized return.
EMB
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- -0.71%
- 6M
- 1.77%
- YTD
- 1.90%
- 1Y
- 9.82%
- 3Y*
- 8.69%
- 5Y*
- 1.72%
- 10Y*
- 2.87%
EMBX
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- -0.84%
- 6M
- 2.95%
- YTD
- 3.74%
- 1Y
- 11.89%
- 3Y*
- 9.02%
- 5Y*
- 4.29%
- 10Y*
- 4.85%
EMB vs. EMBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 1.90% | 13.85% | 5.54% | 10.62% | -18.63% | -2.23% | 5.42% | 15.48% | -5.47% | 10.28% |
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 3.74% | 18.80% | 3.09% | 9.34% | -7.21% | -4.30% | 11.57% | 13.10% | -6.21% | 11.97% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMB and EMBX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2012 | 0.56 |
Over the past year, EMB and EMBX have become more correlated (0.80) than their long-term average of 0.56, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
EMB vs. EMBX — Risk / Return Rank
EMB
EMBX
EMB vs. EMBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) and VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX). 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.
| EMB | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.25 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.35 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.38 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.19 | 2.32 | -0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.33 | 9.63 | -0.30 |
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Drawdowns
EMB vs. EMBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMB drawdown since its inception was -34.70%, which is greater than EMBX's maximum drawdown of -25.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMB and EMBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMB | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.70% | -25.11% | -9.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.51% | -5.14% | +0.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.95% | -7.41% | -0.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.74% | -22.83% | -5.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.74% | -25.11% | -3.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.86% | -0.84% | -0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.03% | -7.02% | +1.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 1.24% | -0.19% |
Volatility
EMB vs. EMBX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) is 1.31%, while VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) has a volatility of 1.39%. This indicates that EMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMB | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 1.39% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.76% | 5.13% | -0.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.60% | 5.93% | -0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.76% | 6.14% | +3.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.95% | 6.67% | +3.28% |
EMB vs. EMBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than EMBX's 0.76% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMB vs. EMBX - Dividend Comparison
EMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, less than EMBX's 5.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.09% | 4.98% | 5.46% | 4.74% | 5.04% | 3.89% | 3.88% | 4.51% | 5.64% | 4.54% | 4.83% | 4.84% |
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.88% | 6.95% | 8.20% | 5.49% | 8.21% | 5.50% | 6.56% | 7.89% | 7.25% | 7.66% | 3.94% | 6.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMB and EMBX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EMBX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to EMB (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMB dropped -34.70% vs EMBX's -25.11%.
On 10-year performance, EMBX leads with 4.85% vs 2.87% for EMB. On fees, EMB is cheaper at 0.39% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EMBX has performed better with a 4.85% return vs 2.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EMB is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX has the higher dividend yield at 5.88%, compared with 5.09% for EMB.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for EMB and 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.76), 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.
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