GEMD vs. EMBX
GEMD (Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF) and EMBX (VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. GEMD is passively managed, while EMBX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, GEMD returned 8.37%/yr vs 10.16%/yr for EMBX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GEMD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.76%/yr for EMBX.
Performance
GEMD vs. EMBX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GEMD achieves a 1.64% return, which is significantly lower than EMBX's 3.49% return.
GEMD
- 1D
- -0.41%
- 1M
- 1.17%
- YTD
- 1.64%
- 6M
- 1.49%
- 1Y
- 11.06%
- 3Y*
- 8.37%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EMBX
- 1D
- -0.40%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 3.49%
- 6M
- 3.62%
- 1Y
- 15.18%
- 3Y*
- 10.16%
- 5Y*
- 3.88%
- 10Y*
- 5.10%
GEMD vs. EMBX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GEMD Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 1.64% | 13.67% | 3.31% | 8.51% | -15.70% |
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 3.49% | 18.80% | 3.09% | 9.34% | -5.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between GEMD and EMBX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022 | 0.62 |
The correlation between GEMD and EMBX shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (3 years) to 0.72 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GEMD vs. EMBX — Risk / Return Rank
GEMD
EMBX
GEMD vs. EMBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (GEMD) and VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX). 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.
| GEMD | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.65 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.98 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.52 | -0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.39 | 2.96 | -0.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.09 | 12.58 | -2.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GEMD | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.01 | 2.66 | -0.65 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.64 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.77 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.21 | 0.52 | -0.31 |
Drawdowns
GEMD vs. EMBX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GEMD drawdown since its inception was -24.56%, roughly equal to the maximum EMBX drawdown of -25.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEMD and EMBX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GEMD | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -24.56% | -25.11% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.64% | -5.14% | +0.50% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.69% | -7.41% | -0.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -24.07% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -25.11% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.43% | -0.62% | +0.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.19% | -7.08% | -1.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.10% | 1.21% | -0.11% |
Volatility
GEMD vs. EMBX - Volatility Comparison
Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (GEMD) has a higher volatility of 1.84% compared to VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMBX) at 1.73%. This indicates that GEMD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GEMD | EMBX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.84% | 1.73% | +0.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 4.40% | 4.77% | -0.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.53% | 5.72% | -0.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 9.95% | 6.10% | +3.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.95% | 6.65% | +3.30% |
GEMD vs. EMBX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GEMD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than EMBX's 0.76% expense ratio.
Dividends
GEMD vs. EMBX - Dividend Comparison
GEMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.69%, less than EMBX's 5.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMBX VanEck Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.91% | 6.95% | 8.20% | 5.49% | 8.21% | 5.50% | 6.56% | 7.89% | 7.25% | 7.66% | 3.94% | 6.84% |
GEMD Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 5.69% | 6.32% | 5.79% | 5.70% | 5.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
GEMD and EMBX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GEMD has higher volatility (1.84%) compared to EMBX (1.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEMD dropped -24.56% vs EMBX's -25.11%.
On 3-year performance, EMBX leads with 10.16% vs 8.37% for GEMD. On fees, GEMD is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, EMBX has been the lower-risk option at 1.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, EMBX has performed better with a 10.16% return vs 8.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
GEMD is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 5.69% for GEMD.
They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for GEMD and 0.76% for EMBX.
EMBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.01), 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.
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