EMB vs. IAU
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU).
EMB and IAU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EMB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index. It was launched on Dec 17, 2007. IAU is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Gold Bullion. It was launched on Jan 28, 2005. Both EMB and IAU are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: EMB or IAU.
Key characteristics
| EMB | IAU | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 1.51% | 12.12% |
| 1Y Return | 9.88% | 14.29% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -2.88% | 7.90% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 0.40% | 12.33% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.22% | 5.81% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.05 | 1.18 |
| Daily Std Dev | 9.02% | 12.20% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.70% | -45.14% |
| Current Drawdown | -11.08% | -3.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMB and IAU is 0.21, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.
Performance
EMB vs. IAU - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, EMB achieves a 1.51% return, which is significantly lower than IAU's 12.12% return. Over the past 10 years, EMB has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 2.22%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 5.81% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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EMB vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
EMB vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Performance 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.
Dividends
EMB vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison
EMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.83%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 4.83% | 4.74% | 5.04% | 3.89% | 3.88% | 4.51% | 5.64% | 4.54% | 4.83% | 4.84% | 4.56% | 4.75% |
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% |
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. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
EMB vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) is 3.12%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 4.95%. 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.