EWX vs. IEMG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

EWX (SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - EWX tracks the S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWX returned 7.88%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. EWX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

EWX vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWX achieves a 4.97% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 17.13% return. Over the past 10 years, EWX has underperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 7.88%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively higher 8.70% annualized return.

EWX

• 1D: 1.69%
• 1M: -6.72%
• 6M: 1.50%
• YTD: 4.97%
• 1Y: 12.08%
• 3Y*: 11.07%
• 5Y*: 5.42%
• 10Y*: 7.88%
• ALL TIME*: 4.18%

IEMG

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -2.17%
• 6M: 8.11%
• YTD: 17.13%
• 1Y: 33.73%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 7.08%
• 10Y*: 8.70%
• ALL TIME*: 6.15%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	$1.63M	$1.59M	$1.64M
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$832.99M	$964.62M	$1.10B

EWX vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	4.97%	15.46%	6.81%	18.13%	-15.00%	18.15%	14.84%	15.59%	-18.75%	34.12%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	17.13%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between EWX and IEMG is 0.85, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012	0.90

The correlation between EWX and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWX vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWX	IEMG
Technology	28.1%	43.6%
Industrials	19.8%	7.7%
Basic Materials	10.8%	5.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	7.7%
Financial Services	7.4%	17.3%
Healthcare	6.6%	3.2%
Real Estate	5.7%	1.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	2.8%
Utilities	2.4%	1.9%
Communication Services	2.0%	5.6%
Energy	1.7%	3.0%

Return for Risk

EWX vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

EWX

EWX Risk / Return Rank: 29
EWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
EWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
EWX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
EWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
EWX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 62
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

EWX vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) 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.

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.

	EWX	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.70	1.43	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	1.94	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.27	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	2.46	-1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.28	7.50	-4.22

EWX vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.70, which is lower than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWX and IEMG, 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

EWX vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWX drawdown since its inception was -63.90%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWX and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWX	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.90%	-38.71%	-25.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.47%	-13.78%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.37%	-17.21%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.06%	-33.61%	+9.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.00%	-38.71%	-4.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.54%	-9.17%	-1.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.10%	-12.89%	-0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	4.51%	-0.82%

Volatility

EWX vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is 7.06%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that EWX 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.

Volatility by Period

	EWX	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.06%	8.73%	-1.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.52%	21.65%	-6.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.37%	23.74%	-6.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.77%	19.27%	-3.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.26%	20.32%	-3.06%

EWX vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWX vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

EWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.70%, more than IEMG's 2.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWX SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF	2.70%	2.91%	2.90%	2.32%	3.00%	2.77%	2.24%	2.73%	3.26%	2.30%	2.46%	3.04%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.30%	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

Can I hold both EWX and IEMG in my portfolio?

EWX and IEMG have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWX or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.73%) compared to EWX (7.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWX dropped -63.90% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, EWX or IEMG?

On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 8.70% vs 7.88% for EWX. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EWX has been the lower-risk option at 7.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWX or IEMG?

Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 8.70% return vs 7.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWX or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for EWX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EWX or IEMG?

EWX has the higher dividend yield at 2.70%, compared with 2.30% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between EWX and IEMG?

EWX tracks S&P Emerging Markets Under USD2 Billion Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for EWX and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.70), 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.