IAGG vs. EMHC
IAGG (iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF) and EMHC (SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAGG is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while EMHC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Emerging USD Bond Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IAGG returned 1.11%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for EMHC. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IAGG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for EMHC.
Performance
IAGG vs. EMHC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IAGG achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly lower than EMHC's 1.57% 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%
EMHC
- 1D
- -0.32%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- YTD
- 1.57%
- 6M
- 1.74%
- 1Y
- 11.54%
- 3Y*
- 8.74%
- 5Y*
- 1.55%
- 10Y*
- —
IAGG vs. EMHC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IAGG iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.92% | 3.26% | 4.51% | 8.49% | -10.86% | 0.38% |
EMHC SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 1.57% | 14.07% | 3.52% | 10.06% | -17.75% | 1.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between IAGG and EMHC 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 | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021 | 0.63 |
The correlation between IAGG and EMHC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IAGG vs. EMHC — Risk / Return Rank
IAGG
EMHC
IAGG vs. EMHC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) and SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMHC). 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.
| IAGG | EMHC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.41 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.00 | 2.65 | -1.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.99 | 11.09 | -8.10 |
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
| IAGG | EMHC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.81 | 2.14 | -1.33 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.25 | 0.17 | +0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.54 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.62 | 0.22 | +0.40 |
Drawdowns
IAGG vs. EMHC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IAGG drawdown since its inception was -13.88%, smaller than the maximum EMHC drawdown of -28.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAGG and EMHC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IAGG | EMHC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -13.88% | -28.03% | +14.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.32% | -4.37% | +2.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.32% | -7.67% | +5.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.57% | -28.03% | +14.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -13.88% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.98% | -0.32% | -0.66% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.85% | -9.91% | +7.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.77% | 1.04% | -0.27% |
Volatility
IAGG vs. EMHC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) is 1.18%, while SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (EMHC) has a volatility of 1.89%. This indicates that IAGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMHC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IAGG | EMHC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.18% | 1.89% | -0.71% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.40% | 4.16% | -1.76% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.84% | 5.43% | -2.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.51% | 9.06% | -4.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.05% | 8.96% | -4.91% |
IAGG vs. EMHC - Expense Ratio Comparison
IAGG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than EMHC's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
IAGG vs. EMHC - Dividend Comparison
IAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.66%, less than EMHC's 6.11% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMHC SPDR Bloomberg Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 6.11% | 6.16% | 5.95% | 5.12% | 5.11% | 2.97% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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 EMHC 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.
EMHC has higher volatility (1.89%) compared to IAGG (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAGG dropped -13.88% vs EMHC's -28.03%.
On 5-year performance, EMHC leads with 1.55% vs 1.11% for IAGG. On fees, IAGG is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, IAGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, EMHC has performed better with a 1.55% return vs 1.11%. 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 0.23% for EMHC.
EMHC has the higher dividend yield at 6.11%, compared with 3.66% for IAGG.
IAGG is categorized as Global Bonds, while EMHC is Emerging Markets Bonds. IAGG tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index, while EMHC tracks Bloomberg Emerging USD Bond Core Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IAGG and 0.23% for EMHC.
EMHC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 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.
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