EMES vs. GSG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMES (Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EMES is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Harbor, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. EMES is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past year, EMES returned 46.81% vs 51.52% for GSG. At a correlation of -0.18, they often move in opposite directions. EMES charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.

Performance

EMES vs. GSG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF (EMES) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMES achieves a 28.30% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 42.58% return.

EMES

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 5.92%
• YTD: 28.30%
• 6M: 29.99%
• 1Y: 46.81%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSG

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -4.83%
• YTD: 42.58%
• 6M: 41.06%
• 1Y: 51.52%
• 3Y*: 19.31%
• 5Y*: 15.74%
• 10Y*: 7.69%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EMES vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
EMES Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF	28.30%	12.63%
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	42.58%	7.41%

Correlation

The correlation between EMES and GSG is -0.20, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2025	-0.18

Return for Risk

EMES vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EMES

EMES Risk / Return Rank: 71
EMES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
EMES Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
EMES Omega Ratio Rank: 70
EMES Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
EMES Martin Ratio Rank: 75

GSG

GSG Risk / Return Rank: 71
GSG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
GSG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
GSG Omega Ratio Rank: 65
GSG Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
GSG Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

EMES vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF (EMES) 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.

	EMES	GSG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.25	2.26	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	2.88	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.40	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.62	5.47	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.07	14.39	-0.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMES vs. GSG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMES Sharpe Ratio is 2.25, which is comparable to the GSG Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMES and GSG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMES	GSG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.25	2.26	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.06	-0.09	+2.15

Drawdowns

EMES vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMES drawdown since its inception was -12.98%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMES and GSG.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMES	GSG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.98%	-89.62%	+76.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.98%	-9.46%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.94%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.64%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-56.95%	+55.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.07%	-63.71%	+61.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	3.59%	-0.25%

Volatility

EMES vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF (EMES) has a higher volatility of 8.70% compared to iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) at 7.65%. This indicates that EMES's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMES	GSG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.70%	7.65%	+1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.31%	20.42%	-2.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	22.95%	-2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	22.61%	-2.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.56%	22.03%	-1.47%

EMES vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMES has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMES vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison

EMES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025
EMES Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF	0.42%	0.53%
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMES and GSG in my portfolio?

EMES and GSG have a correlation of -0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMES or GSG?

EMES has higher volatility (8.70%) compared to GSG (7.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMES dropped -12.98% vs GSG's -89.62%.

Which ETF is better, EMES or GSG?

On 1-year performance, GSG leads with 51.52% vs 46.81% for EMES. On fees, EMES is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, GSG has been the lower-risk option at 7.65%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMES or GSG?

Over the 1-year period, GSG has performed better with a 51.52% return vs 46.81%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMES or GSG?

EMES is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMES or GSG?

EMES has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.

What is the main difference between EMES and GSG?

EMES is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EMES and 0.75% for GSG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.25), 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.