EMBX vs. BREM
EMBX (VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and BREM (iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMBX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for BREM.
Performance
EMBX vs. BREM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMBX achieves a 3.53% return, which is significantly lower than BREM's 3.96% return.
EMBX
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 3.53%
- 6M
- 3.29%
- 1Y
- 12.08%
- 3Y*
- 9.29%
- 5Y*
- 4.12%
- 10Y*
- 5.10%
BREM
- 1D
- -0.01%
- 1M
- 1.48%
- YTD
- 3.96%
- 6M
- 3.83%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMBX vs. BREM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 3.53% | 3.00% |
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.96% | 2.80% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMBX and BREM is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2025 | 0.78 |
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Return for Risk
EMBX vs. BREM — Risk / Return Rank
EMBX
BREM
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
EMBX vs. BREM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) and iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF (BREM). 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.
| EMBX | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.36 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.86 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
EMBX vs. BREM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMBX drawdown since its inception was -25.11%, which is greater than BREM's maximum drawdown of -4.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMBX and BREM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMBX | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.11% | -4.54% | -20.57% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.14% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.41% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.09% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.11% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.03% | -0.41% | -0.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.05% | -0.63% | -6.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.23% | — | — |
Volatility
EMBX vs. BREM - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| EMBX | BREM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.07% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.08% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.93% | 5.58% | +0.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.14% | 5.58% | +0.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.67% | 5.58% | +1.09% |
EMBX vs. BREM - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMBX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than BREM's 0.50% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMBX vs. BREM - Dividend Comparison
EMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.39%, more than BREM's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BREM iShares Emerging Markets Bond Active ETF | 3.88% | 1.19% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.39% | 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
EMBX and BREM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, BREM is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
BREM is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX has the higher dividend yield at 5.39%, compared with 3.88% for BREM.
They also come from different issuers: VanEck and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.76% for EMBX and 0.50% for BREM.
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