EMLC vs. IEMG
EMLC (VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMLC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMLC returned 1.99%/yr vs 9.88%/yr for IEMG. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMLC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.
Performance
EMLC vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EMLC achieves a -0.23% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 18.97% return. Over the past 10 years, EMLC has underperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 1.99%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively higher 9.88% annualized return.
EMLC
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -1.80%
- YTD
- -0.23%
- 6M
- 1.29%
- 1Y
- 7.90%
- 3Y*
- 6.04%
- 5Y*
- 0.97%
- 10Y*
- 1.99%
IEMG
- 1D
- 1.70%
- 1M
- -3.66%
- YTD
- 18.97%
- 6M
- 20.80%
- 1Y
- 40.80%
- 3Y*
- 20.51%
- 5Y*
- 6.57%
- 10Y*
- 9.88%
EMLC vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | -0.23% | 18.81% | -2.97% | 11.18% | -10.58% | -9.72% | 3.08% | 9.79% | -7.57% | 13.84% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 18.97% | 32.56% | 6.50% | 11.52% | -19.98% | -0.64% | 17.87% | 17.81% | -14.92% | 37.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between EMLC and IEMG 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 | 0.62 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012 | 0.64 |
The correlation between EMLC and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
EMLC vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank
EMLC
IEMG
EMLC vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). 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.
| EMLC | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.38 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.28 | 3.10 | -1.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.34 | 11.68 | -7.34 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| EMLC | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.14 | 1.99 | -0.86 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.11 | 0.35 | -0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 | 0.49 | -0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.10 | 0.33 | -0.23 |
Drawdowns
EMLC vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EMLC drawdown since its inception was -32.43%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMLC and IEMG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| EMLC | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.43% | -38.71% | +6.28% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.19% | -13.21% | +7.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -9.15% | -17.21% | +8.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.26% | -35.75% | +10.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.47% | -38.71% | +12.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.38% | -7.00% | +1.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -14.36% | -12.97% | -1.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.82% | 3.50% | -1.68% |
Volatility
EMLC vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) is 2.20%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 10.33%. This indicates that EMLC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| EMLC | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.20% | 10.33% | -8.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.08% | 18.35% | -12.27% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.00% | 20.62% | -13.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.13% | 18.62% | -9.49% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.05% | 20.14% | -10.09% |
EMLC vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison
EMLC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
EMLC vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison
EMLC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.26%, more than IEMG's 2.31% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.26% | 5.91% | 6.55% | 5.97% | 5.54% | 5.25% | 4.90% | 6.25% | 6.50% | 5.34% | 5.32% | 6.25% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.31% | 2.75% | 3.20% | 2.89% | 2.71% | 3.06% | 1.87% | 3.15% | 2.76% | 2.35% | 2.28% | 2.53% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EMLC and IEMG 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.
IEMG has higher volatility (10.33%) compared to EMLC (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMLC dropped -32.43% vs IEMG's -38.71%.
On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 9.88% vs 1.99% for EMLC. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EMLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 9.88% return vs 1.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for EMLC.
EMLC has the higher dividend yield at 6.26%, compared with 2.31% for IEMG.
EMLC is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. EMLC tracks J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for EMLC and 0.09% for IEMG.
IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.14), 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.
Find the right allocation for EMLC and IEMG
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer