EMIF vs. EZA

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) and iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA).

EMIF and EZA are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EMIF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the S&P Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index. It was launched on Jun 16, 2009. EZA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI South Africa Index. It was launched on Feb 7, 2003. Both EMIF and EZA are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

EMIF vs. EZA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) and iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

EMIF vs. EZA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMIF iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF	6.16%	33.90%	1.21%	5.67%	-12.59%	3.76%	-19.98%	16.36%	-13.70%	20.70%
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF	-1.45%	75.20%	7.16%	1.51%	-5.18%	7.91%	-5.19%	9.83%	-25.24%	36.03%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMIF achieves a 6.16% return, which is significantly higher than EZA's -1.45% return. Over the past 10 years, EMIF has underperformed EZA with an annualized return of 2.68%, while EZA has yielded a comparatively higher 7.70% annualized return.

EMIF

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: -8.08%
• YTD: 6.16%
• 6M: 12.77%
• 1Y: 39.99%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: 2.68%

EZA

• 1D: 5.57%
• 1M: -16.91%
• YTD: -1.45%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 50.34%
• 3Y*: 23.56%
• 5Y*: 10.86%
• 10Y*: 7.70%

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

EMIF vs. EZA - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMIF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than EZA's 0.59% expense ratio.

EMIF

iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF

EZA

iShares MSCI South Africa ETF

Return for Risk

EMIF vs. EZA — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMIF

EMIF Risk / Return Rank: 95
EMIF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EMIF Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
EMIF Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EMIF Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
EMIF Martin Ratio Rank: 93

EZA

EZA Risk / Return Rank: 82
EZA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EZA Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
EZA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
EZA Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EZA Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

EMIF vs. EZA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) and iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA). 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.

	EMIF	EZA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.61	+0.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	2.07	+1.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.29	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.78	2.23	+1.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.68	8.78	+4.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMIF vs. EZA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMIF Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is higher than the EZA Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMIF and EZA, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	EMIF	EZA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	1.61	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.39	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	0.25	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.29	-0.10

Correlation

The correlation between EMIF and EZA is 0.66, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

EMIF vs. EZA - Dividend Comparison

EMIF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, less than EZA's 6.25% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMIF iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF	4.67%	4.96%	4.12%	2.64%	3.08%	3.94%	2.54%	2.07%	2.64%	2.58%	3.16%	2.07%
EZA iShares MSCI South Africa ETF	6.25%	6.16%	7.26%	2.84%	3.90%	2.05%	5.51%	12.27%	3.81%	1.55%	4.10%	3.03%

Drawdowns

EMIF vs. EZA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMIF drawdown since its inception was -48.02%, smaller than the maximum EZA drawdown of -64.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMIF and EZA.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMIF	EZA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.02%	-64.64%	+16.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.49%	-23.31%	+12.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.68%	-34.94%	+11.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.02%	-62.25%	+14.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.65%	-16.91%	+8.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.00%	-16.94%	+0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	5.93%	-3.04%

Volatility

EMIF vs. EZA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Emerging Markets Infrastructure ETF (EMIF) is 7.64%, while iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (EZA) has a volatility of 15.36%. This indicates that EMIF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EZA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMIF	EZA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.64%	15.36%	-7.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.00%	25.09%	-13.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	31.39%	-14.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.63%	28.33%	-8.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.61%	31.31%	-10.70%