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IAGG vs. CEMB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

IAGG vs. CEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly lower than CEMB's 1.49% return. Over the past 10 years, IAGG has underperformed CEMB with an annualized return of 2.17%, while CEMB has yielded a comparatively higher 3.49% annualized return.


IAGG

1D
-0.20%
1M
0.66%
YTD
0.92%
6M
0.72%
1Y
2.30%
3Y*
4.59%
5Y*
1.11%
10Y*
2.17%

CEMB

1D
-0.20%
1M
0.46%
YTD
1.49%
6M
1.83%
1Y
7.31%
3Y*
7.31%
5Y*
1.97%
10Y*
3.49%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IAGG vs. CEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IAGG
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF
0.92%3.26%4.51%8.49%-10.86%-1.87%4.63%7.99%3.38%2.09%
CEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF
1.49%8.86%5.81%8.37%-12.58%-0.59%6.77%13.90%-2.57%7.11%

Correlation

The correlation between IAGG and CEMB is 0.63, 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

0.63

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.68

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.61

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.44

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2015

0.41

Over the past year, IAGG and CEMB have become more correlated (0.63) than their long-term average of 0.41, meaning their price movements have been converging.

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Return for Risk

IAGG vs. CEMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAGG
IAGG Risk / Return Rank: 2222
Overall Rank
IAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
IAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
IAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 2222
Calmar Ratio Rank
IAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank

CEMB
CEMB Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
CEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8080
Sortino Ratio Rank
CEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
CEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
CEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IAGG vs. CEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB). 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.


IAGGCEMBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-1.59

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-2.42

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.47

-0.33

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.00

2.55

-1.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.99

11.06

-8.07

IAGG vs. CEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAGG Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the CEMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAGG and CEMB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


IAGGCEMBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.81

2.40

-1.59

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

0.35

-0.10

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.54

0.56

-0.02

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.62

0.49

+0.12

Drawdowns

IAGG vs. CEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum CEMB drawdown of -20.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and CEMB.


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Drawdown Indicators


IAGGCEMBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.88%

-20.84%

+6.96%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.32%

-2.88%

+0.56%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-2.32%

-3.85%

+1.53%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-13.57%

-20.48%

+6.91%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.88%

-20.84%

+6.96%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.98%

-0.24%

-0.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.85%

-3.66%

+0.81%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.77%

0.66%

+0.11%

Volatility

IAGG vs. CEMB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) has a higher volatility of 1.18% compared to iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF (CEMB) at 1.08%. This indicates that IAGG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


IAGGCEMBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.18%

1.08%

+0.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.40%

2.43%

-0.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.84%

3.06%

-0.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

4.51%

5.63%

-1.12%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.05%

6.30%

-2.25%

IAGG vs. CEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAGG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than CEMB's 0.50% expense ratio.


Dividends

IAGG vs. CEMB - Dividend Comparison

IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, less than CEMB's 5.13% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
CEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Corporate Bond ETF
5.13%5.14%5.11%4.77%4.29%3.51%3.86%4.19%4.66%4.06%4.26%4.76%
IAGG
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF
3.66%3.08%4.28%3.55%2.27%1.16%1.95%2.82%3.02%1.74%1.56%0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions


IAGG and CEMB have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IAGG has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to CEMB (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAGG dropped -13.88% vs CEMB's -20.84%.

On 10-year performance, CEMB leads with 3.49% vs 2.17% for IAGG. On fees, IAGG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, CEMB has performed better with a 3.49% return vs 2.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IAGG is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for CEMB.

CEMB has the higher dividend yield at 5.13%, compared with 3.66% for IAGG.

IAGG is categorized as Global Bonds, while CEMB is Corporate Bonds. IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while CEMB tracks JP Morgan CEMBI Broad Diversified. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IAGG and 0.50% for CEMB.

CEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 0.81), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IAGG and CEMB

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