GSG vs. IEMG
GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GSG returned 8.71%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for IEMG. Their 0.30 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GSG charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.
Performance
GSG vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSG achieves a 42.11% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 15.55% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with GSG having a 8.71% annualized return and IEMG not far ahead at 8.78%.
GSG
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- 13.47%
- 6M
- 32.35%
- YTD
- 42.11%
- 1Y
- 46.16%
- 3Y*
- 15.32%
- 5Y*
- 15.35%
- 10Y*
- 8.71%
- ALL TIME*
- -2.03%
IEMG
- 1D
- -1.78%
- 1M
- -6.23%
- 6M
- 7.28%
- YTD
- 15.55%
- 1Y
- 28.48%
- 3Y*
- 17.89%
- 5Y*
- 6.77%
- 10Y*
- 8.78%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.06%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $14.36M | $16.94M | $27.13M | |
| $959.90M | $1.12B | $1.07B |
GSG vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 42.11% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 3.89% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 15.55% | 32.56% | 6.50% | 11.52% | -19.98% | -0.64% | 17.87% | 17.81% | -14.92% | 37.38% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSG and IEMG is -0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | -0.09 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.19 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.26 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | 0.30 |
The correlation between GSG and IEMG shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
GSG vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank
GSG
IEMG
GSG vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) 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.
| GSG | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.24 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.39 | 2.13 | +0.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.82 | 6.72 | +1.10 |
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Drawdowns
GSG vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSG drawdown since its inception was -89.62%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSG and IEMG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSG | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -89.62% | -38.71% | -50.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.81% | -13.21% | -5.60% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.81% | -17.21% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.12% | -33.61% | +4.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -57.64% | -38.71% | -18.93% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -57.10% | -10.41% | -46.69% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -63.68% | -12.90% | -50.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.75% | 4.19% | +1.56% |
Volatility
GSG vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) is 6.47%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 7.86%. This indicates that GSG 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.
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Volatility by Period
| GSG | IEMG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.47% | 7.86% | -1.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.68% | 21.27% | +0.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.69% | 23.23% | +0.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.75% | 19.21% | +3.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 20.26% | +1.75% |
GSG vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GSG has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
GSG vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison
GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.33% | 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
GSG and IEMG have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IEMG has higher volatility (7.86%) compared to GSG (6.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSG dropped -89.62% vs IEMG's -38.71%.
On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 8.78% vs 8.71% for GSG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, GSG has been the lower-risk option at 6.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 8.78% return vs 8.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
GSG is categorized as Commodities, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Equities. GSG tracks S&P GSCI Total Return Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.75% for GSG and 0.09% for IEMG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.21), 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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