HEEM vs. BCHI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

HEEM (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and BCHI (GMO Beyond China ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. HEEM is passively managed, while BCHI is actively managed. Over the past year, HEEM returned 40.23% vs 38.27% for BCHI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HEEM charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for BCHI.

Performance

HEEM vs. BCHI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) and GMO Beyond China ETF (BCHI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HEEM achieves a 19.41% return, which is significantly lower than BCHI's 21.67% return.

HEEM

• 1D: -2.54%
• 1M: -6.43%
• 6M: 12.12%
• YTD: 19.41%
• 1Y: 40.23%
• 3Y*: 21.93%
• 5Y*: 9.08%
• 10Y*: 9.87%

BCHI

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: -8.59%
• 6M: 15.64%
• YTD: 21.67%
• 1Y: 38.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HEEM vs. BCHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	19.41%	28.45%
BCHI GMO Beyond China ETF	21.67%	26.33%

Correlation

The correlation between HEEM and BCHI 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 13, 2025	0.82

The correlation between HEEM and BCHI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HEEM vs. BCHI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HEEM

HEEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
HEEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
HEEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
HEEM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HEEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
HEEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

BCHI

BCHI Risk / Return Rank: 63
BCHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
BCHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
BCHI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BCHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BCHI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

HEEM vs. BCHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) and GMO Beyond China ETF (BCHI). 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.

	HEEM	BCHI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.64	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.21	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.73	2.72	+1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.99	9.09	+2.90

HEEM vs. BCHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the BCHI Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEEM and BCHI, 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

HEEM vs. BCHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEEM drawdown since its inception was -33.53%, which is greater than BCHI's maximum drawdown of -14.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEEM and BCHI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEEM	BCHI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.53%	-14.33%	-19.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.83%	-14.14%	+3.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.53%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.39%	-11.47%	+1.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.08%	-2.53%	-8.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	4.22%	-0.86%

Volatility

HEEM vs. BCHI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) has a higher volatility of 10.47% compared to GMO Beyond China ETF (BCHI) at 9.82%. This indicates that HEEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BCHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HEEM	BCHI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.47%	9.82%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.90%	21.84%	-1.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.83%	23.45%	-1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.92%	22.60%	-4.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.31%	22.60%	-4.29%

HEEM vs. BCHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEEM has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than BCHI's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

HEEM vs. BCHI - Dividend Comparison

HEEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, less than BCHI's 3.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BCHI GMO Beyond China ETF	3.66%	3.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HEEM iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	3.22%	3.98%	2.38%	2.75%	7.49%	1.93%	1.49%	3.04%	2.37%	2.05%	1.84%	6.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HEEM and BCHI in my portfolio?

HEEM and BCHI 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, HEEM or BCHI?

HEEM has higher volatility (10.47%) compared to BCHI (9.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HEEM dropped -33.53% vs BCHI's -14.33%.

Which ETF is better, HEEM or BCHI?

On 1-year performance, HEEM leads with 40.23% vs 38.27% for BCHI. On fees, BCHI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, BCHI has been the lower-risk option at 9.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HEEM or BCHI?

Over the 1-year period, HEEM has performed better with a 40.23% return vs 38.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HEEM or BCHI?

BCHI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for HEEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HEEM or BCHI?

BCHI has the higher dividend yield at 3.66%, compared with 3.22% for HEEM.

What is the main difference between HEEM and BCHI?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and GMO. Their fees differ too: 0.72% for HEEM and 0.65% for BCHI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.64), 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.