FLTW vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

FLTW (Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FLTW is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped 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 5 years, FLTW returned 21.23%/yr vs 7.12%/yr for IEMG. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FLTW charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

FLTW vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) 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, FLTW achieves a 68.03% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 23.22% return.

FLTW

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.95%
• YTD: 68.03%
• 6M: 70.67%
• 1Y: 100.47%
• 3Y*: 41.55%
• 5Y*: 21.23%
• 10Y*: —

IEMG

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: -0.88%
• YTD: 23.22%
• 6M: 23.74%
• 1Y: 41.51%
• 3Y*: 22.40%
• 5Y*: 7.12%
• 10Y*: 10.62%

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

FLTW vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	68.03%	32.00%	16.68%	30.05%	-27.51%	29.46%	29.77%	31.23%	-9.32%	-1.28%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	23.22%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FLTW and IEMG is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.75

The correlation between FLTW and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLTW vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLTW	IEMG
Technology	78.7%	42.1%
Financial Services	11.2%	16.7%
Industrials	3.3%	8.0%
Basic Materials	2.5%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	1.5%	8.5%
Communication Services	1.4%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	0.7%	2.8%
Healthcare	0.6%	3.2%
Energy	0.1%	3.3%
Real Estate	-	1.6%
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

FLTW vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLTW

FLTW Risk / Return Rank: 95
FLTW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FLTW Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
FLTW Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FLTW Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
FLTW Martin Ratio Rank: 95

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 69
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 72
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

FLTW vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) 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.

	FLTW	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.49	1.90	+1.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	2.46	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.37	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.29	3.16	+6.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.41	11.46	+15.94

FLTW vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLTW Sharpe Ratio is 3.49, which is higher than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLTW 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

FLTW vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLTW drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, roughly equal to the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLTW and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLTW	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-38.71%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.87%	-13.21%	+2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.45%	-17.21%	-9.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.00%	-35.75%	-2.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.50%	-4.45%	-2.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-12.93%	+4.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	3.63%	+0.05%

Volatility

FLTW vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) has a higher volatility of 14.85% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 11.67%. This indicates that FLTW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLTW	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.85%	11.67%	+3.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.08%	20.13%	+4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.96%	22.00%	+6.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.23%	18.99%	+4.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.19%	20.19%	+2.00%

FLTW vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLTW has a 0.19% 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

FLTW vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

FLTW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, less than IEMG's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLTW Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF	1.42%	2.51%	1.89%	2.85%	3.16%	2.31%	2.14%	3.00%	1.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.19%	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 FLTW and IEMG in my portfolio?

FLTW 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, FLTW or IEMG?

FLTW has higher volatility (14.85%) compared to IEMG (11.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLTW dropped -38.00% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, FLTW or IEMG?

On 5-year performance, FLTW leads with 21.23% vs 7.12% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 11.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLTW or IEMG?

Over the 5-year period, FLTW has performed better with a 21.23% return vs 7.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLTW or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for FLTW.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.42% for FLTW.

What is the main difference between FLTW and IEMG?

FLTW is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. FLTW tracks FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for FLTW and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLTW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.49 vs 1.90), 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.