EMB vs. IAU
EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMB returned 3.29%/yr vs 13.31%/yr for IAU. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.
Performance
EMB vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMB achieves a 1.80% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 2.98% return. Over the past 10 years, EMB has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 3.29%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.31% annualized return.
EMB
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 1.29%
- YTD
- 1.80%
- 6M
- 1.93%
- 1Y
- 11.56%
- 3Y*
- 9.74%
- 5Y*
- 1.86%
- 10Y*
- 3.29%
IAU
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- -1.62%
- YTD
- 2.98%
- 6M
- 5.50%
- 1Y
- 32.20%
- 3Y*
- 31.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.32%
- 10Y*
- 13.31%
EMB vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 1.80% | 13.85% | 5.54% | 10.62% | -18.63% | -2.23% | 5.42% | 15.48% | -5.47% | 10.28% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 2.98% | 63.95% | 26.85% | 12.84% | -0.63% | -4.00% | 25.03% | 17.98% | -1.76% | 12.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMB and IAU is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2007 | 0.22 |
The correlation between EMB and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.32 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
EMB vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank
EMB
IAU
EMB vs. IAU - 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 iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.
| EMB | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.87 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.43 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.24 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.58 | 1.69 | +0.89 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.01 | 4.19 | +6.83 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EMB | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.09 | 1.23 | +0.87 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 | 1.03 | -0.84 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.33 | 0.84 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.62 | -0.19 |
Drawdowns
EMB vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMB drawdown since its inception was -34.70%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMB and IAU.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| EMB | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.70% | -45.14% | +10.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.51% | -19.18% | +14.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.95% | -19.18% | +11.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.74% | -20.93% | -7.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.74% | -21.82% | -6.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.37% | -17.70% | +17.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.06% | -15.96% | +10.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 7.71% | -6.66% |
Volatility
EMB vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) is 1.85%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that EMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| EMB | IAU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.85% | 5.50% | -3.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.52% | 23.02% | -18.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.56% | 26.42% | -20.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.75% | 17.95% | -8.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.96% | 15.90% | -5.94% |
EMB vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMB vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
EMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.06%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.06% | 4.98% | 5.46% | 4.74% | 5.04% | 3.89% | 3.88% | 4.51% | 5.64% | 4.54% | 4.83% | 4.84% |
IAU iShares Gold Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMB and IAU have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to EMB (1.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMB dropped -34.70% vs IAU's -45.14%.
On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.31% vs 3.29% for EMB. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, EMB has been the lower-risk option at 1.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.31% return vs 3.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for EMB.
EMB has the higher dividend yield at 5.06%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.
EMB is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while IAU is Gold. EMB tracks JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for EMB and 0.25% for IAU.
EMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.23), 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.
Find the right allocation for EMB and IAU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer