EMKIX vs. VEGBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

EMKIX (Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund) and VEGBX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, EMKIX returned -1.35%/yr vs 4.37%/yr for VEGBX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMKIX charges 1.02%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VEGBX.

Performance

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund (EMKIX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EMKIX having a 2.46% return and VEGBX slightly higher at 2.57%.

EMKIX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 2.46%
• 6M: 4.28%
• 1Y: 13.23%
• 3Y*: 10.47%
• 5Y*: -1.35%
• 10Y*: 1.01%

VEGBX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 2.57%
• 6M: 3.27%
• 1Y: 12.73%
• 3Y*: 11.76%
• 5Y*: 4.37%
• 10Y*: —

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

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMKIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund	2.46%	18.51%	1.06%	11.08%	-22.93%	-11.27%	2.19%	9.73%	-5.31%	7.68%
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	2.57%	14.46%	7.60%	13.81%	-13.02%	-1.44%	15.18%	17.87%	-0.66%	11.65%

Correlation

The correlation between EMKIX and VEGBX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.75

The correlation between EMKIX and VEGBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMKIX vs. VEGBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMKIX

EMKIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
EMKIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
EMKIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
EMKIX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
EMKIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
EMKIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VEGBX

VEGBX Risk / Return Rank: 87
VEGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VEGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VEGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VEGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VEGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund (EMKIX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX). 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.

	EMKIX	VEGBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	3.06	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	4.94	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.63	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	3.54	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.33	15.48	-5.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMKIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the VEGBX Sharpe Ratio of 3.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMKIX and VEGBX, 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

	EMKIX	VEGBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	3.06	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.18	0.69	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	1.08	-1.18

Drawdowns

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMKIX drawdown since its inception was -47.14%, which is greater than VEGBX's maximum drawdown of -24.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMKIX and VEGBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMKIX	VEGBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.14%	-24.27%	-22.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.01%	-3.79%	-1.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.53%	-5.53%	-2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.22%	-24.27%	-15.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.22%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.95%	-0.28%	-17.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.07%	-3.84%	-17.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.33%	0.86%	+0.47%

Volatility

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Volatility Comparison

Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund (EMKIX) has a higher volatility of 1.78% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VEGBX) at 1.52%. This indicates that EMKIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEGBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMKIX	VEGBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	1.52%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.25%	3.59%	+1.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.16%	4.39%	+1.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.56%	6.34%	+1.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.20%	6.36%	+1.84%

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMKIX has a 1.02% expense ratio, which is higher than VEGBX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMKIX vs. VEGBX - Dividend Comparison

EMKIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.27%, more than VEGBX's 6.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMKIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Total Return Fund	7.27%	6.42%	5.17%	5.18%	3.78%	3.99%	4.23%	5.45%	4.89%	4.58%
VEGBX Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund Admiral Shares	6.17%	6.34%	7.02%	7.20%	5.61%	5.14%	4.62%	6.42%	5.00%	0.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMKIX and VEGBX in my portfolio?

EMKIX and VEGBX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMKIX or VEGBX?

EMKIX has higher volatility (1.78%) compared to VEGBX (1.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMKIX dropped -47.14% vs VEGBX's -24.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.23), 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.