EMBX vs. GSG
EMBX (VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EMBX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by VanEck, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. EMBX is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMBX returned 4.88%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for GSG. Their 0.14 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. EMBX charges 0.76%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
EMBX vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMBX achieves a 4.50% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 32.52% return. Over the past 10 years, EMBX has underperformed GSG with an annualized return of 4.88%, while GSG has yielded a comparatively higher 8.03% annualized return.
EMBX
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 2.20%
- YTD
- 4.50%
- 1Y
- 11.42%
- 3Y*
- 9.64%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- 4.88%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.37%
GSG
- 1D
- 0.36%
- 1M
- 5.78%
- 6M
- 21.95%
- YTD
- 32.52%
- 1Y
- 37.47%
- 3Y*
- 12.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.20%
- 10Y*
- 8.03%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.36%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1.73M | $1.85M | $2.19M | |
| $18.96M | $16.42M | $22.87M |
EMBX vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 4.50% | 18.80% | 3.09% | 9.34% | -7.21% | -4.30% | 11.57% | 13.10% | -6.21% | 11.97% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 32.52% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMBX and GSG is -0.31, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | -0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | -0.01 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.10 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 9, 2012 | 0.14 |
The correlation between EMBX and GSG shifts across timeframes, from -0.31 (1 year) to 0.14 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
EMBX vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
EMBX
GSG
EMBX vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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 | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.72 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.27 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.23 | 2.00 | +0.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.08 | 6.32 | +2.76 |
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Drawdowns
EMBX vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMBX drawdown since its inception was -25.11%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMBX and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EMBX | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.11% | -89.62% | +64.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.14% | -18.81% | +13.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.69% | -18.81% | +13.12% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.83% | -29.12% | +6.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.11% | -57.64% | +32.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.11% | -59.99% | +59.88% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.00% | -63.67% | +56.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.26% | 5.94% | -4.68% |
Volatility
EMBX vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) is 1.37%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 8.99%. This indicates that EMBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EMBX | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.37% | 8.99% | -7.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.06% | 21.89% | -16.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.94% | 24.44% | -18.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.13% | 22.90% | -16.77% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 6.67% | 22.08% | -15.41% |
EMBX vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMBX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMBX vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
EMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.80%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.80% | 6.95% | 8.20% | 5.49% | 8.21% | 5.50% | 6.56% | 7.89% | 7.25% | 7.66% | 3.94% | 6.84% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed 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
EMBX and GSG have a correlation of -0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (8.99%) compared to EMBX (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMBX dropped -25.11% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 10-year performance, GSG leads with 8.03% vs 4.88% for EMBX. On fees, GSG is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, EMBX has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, GSG has performed better with a 8.03% return vs 4.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GSG is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX has the higher dividend yield at 5.80%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
EMBX is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.76% for EMBX and 0.75% for GSG.
EMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.54), 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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