FTHF vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTHF (First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - FTHF tracks the Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, FTHF returned 109.33% vs 52.58% for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FTHF charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

FTHF vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) 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, FTHF achieves a 51.24% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 26.21% return.

FTHF

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: 15.16%
• YTD: 51.24%
• 6M: 61.52%
• 1Y: 109.33%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IEMG

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 26.21%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 52.58%
• 3Y*: 23.55%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

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

FTHF vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	51.24%	65.30%	-8.14%	18.14%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.21%	32.56%	6.50%	12.27%

Correlation

The correlation between FTHF and IEMG is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2023	0.87

The correlation between FTHF and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

FTHF vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FTHF	IEMG
Technology	40.7%	35.0%
Financial Services	27.7%	18.4%
Basic Materials	10.3%	6.9%
Energy	7.2%	3.8%
Industrials	6.2%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	3.3%
Utilities	2.5%	2.2%
Communication Services	1.0%	6.4%
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	9.5%
Healthcare	0.5%	3.7%
Real Estate	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

FTHF vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTHF

FTHF Risk / Return Rank: 90
FTHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
FTHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FTHF Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FTHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
FTHF Martin Ratio Rank: 87

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 79
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FTHF vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) 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.

	FTHF	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.36	2.72	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	3.53	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.50	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.74	4.00	+2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.95	15.38	+3.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTHF vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTHF Sharpe Ratio is 3.36, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTHF 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FTHF	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.36	2.72	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.86	0.35	+1.51

Drawdowns

FTHF vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTHF drawdown since its inception was -17.36%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTHF and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTHF	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.36%	-38.71%	+21.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-13.21%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.21%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.83%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.84%	-1.34%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.22%	-12.97%	+8.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.79%	3.43%	+2.36%

Volatility

FTHF vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF (FTHF) has a higher volatility of 12.15% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 8.31%. This indicates that FTHF'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

	FTHF	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.15%	8.31%	+3.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.47%	16.93%	+7.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.76%	19.43%	+13.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.45%	18.38%	+7.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.45%	20.03%	+5.42%

FTHF vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTHF has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTHF vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

FTHF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, more than IEMG's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTHF First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF	2.98%	4.40%	3.34%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.18%	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 FTHF and IEMG in my portfolio?

FTHF and IEMG have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTHF or IEMG?

FTHF has higher volatility (12.15%) compared to IEMG (8.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTHF dropped -17.36% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, FTHF or IEMG?

On 1-year performance, FTHF leads with 109.33% vs 52.58% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 8.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTHF or IEMG?

Over the 1-year period, FTHF has performed better with a 109.33% return vs 52.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTHF or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for FTHF.

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

FTHF has the higher dividend yield at 2.98%, compared with 2.18% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between FTHF and IEMG?

FTHF tracks Emerging Markets Human Flourishing Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for FTHF and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTHF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.36 vs 2.72), 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.