EMXC vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - EMXC is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EMXC returned 12.76%/yr vs 18.32%/yr for IAU. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMXC charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

EMXC vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMXC achieves a 41.72% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 2.98% return.

EMXC

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 12.61%
• YTD: 41.72%
• 6M: 46.94%
• 1Y: 77.94%
• 3Y*: 29.08%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: 2.98%
• 6M: 5.50%
• 1Y: 32.20%
• 3Y*: 31.29%
• 5Y*: 18.32%
• 10Y*: 13.31%

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

EMXC vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	41.72%	35.14%	2.68%	18.96%	-19.56%	8.54%	12.76%	15.80%	-12.96%	7.01%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	2.98%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	3.22%

Correlation

The correlation between EMXC and IAU is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2017	0.25

EMXC vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMXC	IAU
Technology	45.0%	-
Financial Services	19.6%	-
Industrials	8.3%	-
Basic Materials	6.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	4.5%	-
Energy	4.2%	-
Communication Services	3.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Healthcare	2.2%	-
Real Estate	1.0%	100.0%

Return for Risk

EMXC vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMXC

EMXC Risk / Return Rank: 91
EMXC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
EMXC Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EMXC Omega Ratio Rank: 92
EMXC Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
EMXC Martin Ratio Rank: 91

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 32
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

EMXC vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	EMXC	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.61	1.23	+2.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.39	1.62	+2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.24	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	1.69	+3.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.99	4.19	+17.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMXC vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMXC Sharpe Ratio is 3.61, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMXC and IAU, 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

	EMXC	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.61	1.23	+2.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	1.03	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.62	-0.07

Drawdowns

EMXC vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMXC drawdown since its inception was -42.81%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMXC and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMXC	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.81%	-45.14%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.41%	-19.18%	+4.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.12%	-19.18%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.91%	-20.93%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.00%	-17.70%	+16.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.19%	-15.96%	+5.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	7.71%	-4.15%

Volatility

EMXC vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) has a higher volatility of 9.88% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.50%. This indicates that EMXC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMXC	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.88%	5.50%	+4.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.34%	23.02%	-3.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	26.42%	-4.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.45%	17.95%	-0.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.82%	15.90%	+3.92%

EMXC vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMXC has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMXC vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

EMXC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.99%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMXC iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF	1.99%	2.82%	2.69%	1.83%	2.85%	1.78%	1.45%	3.25%	2.63%	0.99%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMXC and IAU in my portfolio?

EMXC and IAU have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMXC or IAU?

EMXC has higher volatility (9.88%) compared to IAU (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMXC dropped -42.81% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, EMXC or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 18.32% vs 12.76% for EMXC. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMXC or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 18.32% return vs 12.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMXC or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EMXC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMXC or IAU?

EMXC has the higher dividend yield at 1.99%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between EMXC and IAU?

EMXC is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IAU is Gold. EMXC tracks MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EMXC and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMXC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 1.23), 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.