EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

EMUG.L (L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist)) and VDEA.L (Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds - EMUG.L tracks the J.P. Morgan ESG CEMBI Broad Diversified Custom Maturity Index while VDEA.L tracks the Bloomberg EM USD Sovereign + Quasi-Sov Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMUG.L returned 1.01%/yr vs 2.62%/yr for VDEA.L. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EMUG.L charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for VDEA.L.

Performance

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (EMUG.L) and Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VDEA.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

EMUG.L is traded in GBp, while VDEA.L is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VDEA.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMUG.L achieves a -4.22% return, which is significantly lower than VDEA.L's 1.48% return.

EMUG.L

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: -3.43%
• 6M: -2.27%
• YTD: -4.22%
• 1Y: -0.74%
• 3Y*: 3.48%
• 5Y*: 1.01%
• 10Y*: —

VDEA.L

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -1.98%
• 6M: 0.94%
• YTD: 1.48%
• 1Y: 7.65%
• 3Y*: 6.86%
• 5Y*: 2.62%
• 10Y*: —

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

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EMUG.L L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	-4.22%	1.10%	7.35%	1.04%	-0.88%	-25.37%
VDEA.L Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	1.48%	3.51%	8.21%	4.23%	-5.20%	0.93%

Correlation

The correlation between EMUG.L and VDEA.L is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2021	0.61

The correlation between EMUG.L and VDEA.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMUG.L

EMUG.L Risk / Return Rank: 9
EMUG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
EMUG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
EMUG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 8
EMUG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
EMUG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 9

VDEA.L

VDEA.L Risk / Return Rank: 62
VDEA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VDEA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VDEA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VDEA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VDEA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (EMUG.L) and Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VDEA.L). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EMUG.L	VDEA.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.11	1.08	-1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.10	1.54	-1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.19	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.10	1.57	-1.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.22	4.22	-4.44

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMUG.L Sharpe Ratio is -0.11, which is lower than the VDEA.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMUG.L and VDEA.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMUG.L drawdown since its inception was -30.45%, which is greater than VDEA.L's maximum drawdown of -15.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMUG.L and VDEA.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMUG.L	VDEA.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.45%	-15.13%	-15.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.05%	-4.84%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.64%	-8.43%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.29%	-11.74%	+0.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.35%	-2.73%	-19.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.29%	-6.46%	-17.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	1.81%	+1.54%

Volatility

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Volatility Comparison

L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (EMUG.L) has a higher volatility of 3.34% compared to Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VDEA.L) at 2.05%. This indicates that EMUG.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDEA.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMUG.L	VDEA.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.34%	2.05%	+1.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.34%	5.65%	-0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.98%	7.10%	-0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.09%	8.75%	-0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.93%	9.75%	+4.18%

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMUG.L has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VDEA.L's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMUG.L vs. VDEA.L - Dividend Comparison

EMUG.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, while VDEA.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
EMUG.L L&G Emerging Markets Corporate Bond (USD) Screened UCITS ETF USD (Dist)	0.03%	5.99%	4.86%	4.67%	3.61%	1.14%
VDEA.L Vanguard USD Emerging Markets Government Bond UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMUG.L and VDEA.L in my portfolio?

EMUG.L and VDEA.L have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, EMUG.L or VDEA.L?

On fees, VDEA.L is cheaper at 0.23% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMUG.L or VDEA.L?

VDEA.L is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for EMUG.L.

What is the main difference between EMUG.L and VDEA.L?

EMUG.L tracks J.P. Morgan ESG CEMBI Broad Diversified Custom Maturity Index, while VDEA.L tracks Bloomberg EM USD Sovereign + Quasi-Sov Index. They also come from different issuers: L&G and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for EMUG.L and 0.23% for VDEA.L.