EMHY vs. ACWI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMHY (iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF) and ACWI (iShares MSCI ACWI ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMHY is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Index, while ACWI is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMHY returned 4.73%/yr vs 12.85%/yr for ACWI. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMHY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ACWI.

Performance

EMHY vs. ACWI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMHY achieves a 2.80% return, which is significantly lower than ACWI's 12.13% return. Over the past 10 years, EMHY has underperformed ACWI with an annualized return of 4.73%, while ACWI has yielded a comparatively higher 12.85% annualized return.

EMHY

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 2.80%
• 6M: 3.49%
• 1Y: 12.96%
• 3Y*: 13.15%
• 5Y*: 4.25%
• 10Y*: 4.73%

ACWI

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 5.28%
• YTD: 12.13%
• 6M: 12.96%
• 1Y: 29.18%
• 3Y*: 21.15%
• 5Y*: 11.28%
• 10Y*: 12.85%

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

EMHY vs. ACWI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMHY iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF	2.80%	13.70%	11.97%	11.47%	-13.03%	-1.91%	3.83%	12.98%	-5.21%	8.54%
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	12.13%	22.41%	17.45%	22.27%	-18.39%	18.66%	16.34%	26.59%	-9.19%	24.33%

Correlation

The correlation between EMHY and ACWI is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 4, 2012	0.52

The correlation between EMHY and ACWI shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (all time) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EMHY vs. ACWI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMHY	ACWI
Industrials	100.0%	10.9%
Basic Materials	-	3.7%
Communication Services	-	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	9.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.0%
Energy	-	4.2%
Financial Services	-	16.1%
Healthcare	-	8.1%
Real Estate	-	1.8%
Technology	-	29.4%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

EMHY vs. ACWI — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMHY

EMHY Risk / Return Rank: 71
EMHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
EMHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
EMHY Omega Ratio Rank: 77
EMHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
EMHY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

ACWI

ACWI Risk / Return Rank: 66
ACWI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ACWI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ACWI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
ACWI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

EMHY vs. ACWI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI). 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.

	EMHY	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.29	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	3.17	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.41	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.01	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	13.53	+0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMHY vs. ACWI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the ACWI Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMHY and ACWI, 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

	EMHY	ACWI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.29	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.71	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.75	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.43	+0.07

Drawdowns

EMHY vs. ACWI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMHY drawdown since its inception was -30.11%, smaller than the maximum ACWI drawdown of -56.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMHY and ACWI.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMHY	ACWI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.11%	-56.00%	+25.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.34%	-9.73%	+5.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.95%	-16.55%	+10.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.83%	-26.42%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.11%	-33.53%	+3.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.37%	-0.83%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.90%	-8.61%	+3.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	2.16%	-1.21%

Volatility

EMHY vs. ACWI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) is 1.66%, while iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) has a volatility of 3.93%. This indicates that EMHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ACWI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMHY	ACWI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	3.93%	-2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.31%	10.29%	-5.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.65%	12.78%	-7.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.10%	16.05%	-6.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	17.11%	-6.45%

EMHY vs. ACWI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMHY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than ACWI's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMHY vs. ACWI - Dividend Comparison

EMHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.41%, more than ACWI's 1.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACWI iShares MSCI ACWI ETF	1.38%	1.55%	1.70%	1.88%	1.79%	1.71%	1.43%	2.33%	2.18%	1.94%	2.19%	2.56%
EMHY iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF	6.41%	6.52%	6.86%	6.73%	7.08%	5.58%	5.44%	5.72%	6.79%	5.59%	6.43%	6.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMHY and ACWI in my portfolio?

EMHY and ACWI have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMHY or ACWI?

ACWI has higher volatility (3.93%) compared to EMHY (1.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMHY dropped -30.11% vs ACWI's -56.00%.

Which ETF is better, EMHY or ACWI?

On 10-year performance, ACWI leads with 12.85% vs 4.73% for EMHY. On fees, ACWI is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, EMHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMHY or ACWI?

Over the 10-year period, ACWI has performed better with a 12.85% return vs 4.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMHY or ACWI?

ACWI is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EMHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMHY or ACWI?

EMHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.41%, compared with 1.38% for ACWI.

What is the main difference between EMHY and ACWI?

EMHY is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while ACWI is Global Equities. EMHY tracks J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Index, while ACWI tracks MSCI All Country World Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EMHY and 0.32% for ACWI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.29), 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.