FDEM vs. IEMG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FDEM (Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - FDEM tracks the Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor Index while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FDEM returned 9.38%/yr vs 7.26%/yr for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FDEM charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

FDEM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (FDEM) 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, FDEM achieves a 14.53% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 16.38% return.

FDEM

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -1.28%
• 6M: 6.08%
• YTD: 14.53%
• 1Y: 28.23%
• 3Y*: 18.72%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.19%

IEMG

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -2.79%
• 6M: 7.82%
• YTD: 16.38%
• 1Y: 32.88%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: 8.84%
• ALL TIME*: 6.11%

*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)
FDEM Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF	$2.80M	$2.66M	$4.40M
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$833.06M	$972.69M	$1.09B

FDEM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FDEM Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF	14.53%	26.75%	9.34%	17.26%	-13.11%	-3.52%	8.87%	5.60%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	16.38%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	7.43%

Correlation

The correlation between FDEM and IEMG is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2019	0.91

The correlation between FDEM and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDEM vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDEM	IEMG
Technology	39.5%	43.6%
Financial Services	15.8%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	7.7%
Communication Services	9.4%	5.6%
Energy	6.7%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	2.8%
Real Estate	4.5%	1.5%
Industrials	4.3%	7.7%
Basic Materials	2.6%	5.8%
Utilities	0.0%	1.9%
Healthcare	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

FDEM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDEM

FDEM Risk / Return Rank: 55
FDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
FDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
FDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
FDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 56

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 60
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

FDEM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (FDEM) 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.

	FDEM	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	1.85	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	2.33	-0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.60	7.16	-0.55

FDEM vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDEM 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

FDEM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDEM drawdown since its inception was -33.65%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDEM and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDEM	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.65%	-38.71%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.70%	-13.78%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.04%	-17.21%	+1.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.82%	-33.61%	+7.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.94%	-9.76%	+1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-12.89%	+4.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	4.47%	-0.37%

Volatility

FDEM vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF (FDEM) is 7.53%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that FDEM 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

	FDEM	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.53%	8.73%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.27%	21.74%	-2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.14%	23.71%	-2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	19.27%	-2.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	20.32%	-2.00%

FDEM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDEM has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FDEM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

FDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, more than IEMG's 2.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDEM Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor ETF	3.05%	3.23%	4.05%	4.41%	3.95%	2.71%	1.84%	2.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.32%	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 FDEM and IEMG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, FDEM and IEMG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FDEM or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.73%) compared to FDEM (7.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDEM dropped -33.65% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, FDEM or IEMG?

On 5-year performance, FDEM leads with 9.38% vs 7.26% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, FDEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDEM or IEMG?

Over the 5-year period, FDEM has performed better with a 9.38% return vs 7.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDEM or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FDEM.

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

FDEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.05%, compared with 2.32% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between FDEM and IEMG?

FDEM tracks Fidelity Emerging Markets Multifactor Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FDEM and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.28), 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.