PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
EMBX vs. LEMB
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

EMBX vs. LEMB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB).

EMBX and LEMB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EMBX is an actively managed fund by VanEck. It was launched on Oct 6, 2025. LEMB is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global 15 cap 4.5 floor. It was launched on Oct 18, 2011.

Performance

EMBX vs. LEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

EMBX vs. LEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
EMBX
VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF		-0.21%2.86%
LEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF		-1.40%3.43%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMBX achieves a -0.21% return, which is significantly higher than LEMB's -1.40% return.

EMBX

1D
1.21%
1M
-3.79%
YTD
-0.21%
6M
—
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—

LEMB

1D
0.47%
1M
-3.60%
YTD
-1.40%
6M
1.69%
1Y
12.21%
3Y*
5.70%
5Y*
0.90%
10Y*
1.04%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF

iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

Often compared with EMBX:
EMBX vs. EMLCEMBX vs. VWOBEMBX vs. CBONEMBX vs. EMCBEMBX vs. EMHCEMBX vs. EMTLEMBX vs. DAPP
Often compared with LEMB:
LEMB vs. EMLCLEMB vs. EMBLEMB vs. EBNDLEMB vs. VWOBLEMB vs. PFUIXLEMB vs. PELBXLEMB vs. FLOT

EMBX vs. LEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMBX has a 0.76% expense ratio, which is higher than LEMB's 0.30% expense ratio.

EMBX
VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF
LEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF

Return for Risk

EMBX vs. LEMB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EMBX
LEMB
LEMB Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
LEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
LEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
LEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 8484
Omega Ratio Rank
LEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
LEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EMBX vs. LEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

EMBX vs. LEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

EMBXLEMBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

—

1.79

—

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

—

0.11

—

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.11

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.93

0.03

+0.91

Correlation

The correlation between EMBX and LEMB is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

EMBX vs. LEMB - Dividend Comparison

EMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, less than LEMB's 2.48% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EMBX
VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF		2.34%1.47%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
LEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF		2.48%2.44%0.00%1.34%0.86%3.89%0.00%4.39%3.46%0.00%0.00%0.64%

Drawdowns

EMBX vs. LEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMBX drawdown since its inception was -5.14%, smaller than the maximum LEMB drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMBX and LEMB.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

EMBXLEMBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-5.14%

-30.82%

+25.68%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

—

-6.00%

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

—

-25.29%

—

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-29.09%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.00%

-7.30%

+3.30%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.77%

-12.83%

+12.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

—

1.43%

—

Volatility

EMBX vs. LEMB - Volatility Comparison

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

EMBXLEMBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

—

3.20%

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

—

4.72%

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

6.01%

6.86%

-0.85%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.01%

8.19%

-2.18%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.01%

9.33%

-3.32%