IBND vs. FEMB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IBND (SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF) and FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBND is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate x USD >$1B: Corporate Bond, while FEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. IBND is passively managed, while FEMB is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IBND returned 0.65%/yr vs 2.51%/yr for FEMB. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IBND charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FEMB.

Performance

IBND vs. FEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IBND achieves a -1.08% return, which is significantly lower than FEMB's 0.60% return. Over the past 10 years, IBND has underperformed FEMB with an annualized return of 0.65%, while FEMB has yielded a comparatively higher 2.51% annualized return.

IBND

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: -1.08%
• 6M: -0.51%
• 1Y: 2.86%
• 3Y*: 6.69%
• 5Y*: -1.50%
• 10Y*: 0.65%

FEMB

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 0.88%
• 1Y: 10.20%
• 3Y*: 7.79%
• 5Y*: 1.63%
• 10Y*: 2.51%

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

IBND vs. FEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	-1.08%	16.17%	-2.81%	10.38%	-19.44%	-8.40%	11.50%	4.41%	-6.15%	14.84%
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF	0.60%	21.77%	-5.61%	17.12%	-10.50%	-13.40%	3.16%	11.52%	-7.19%	11.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IBND and FEMB is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2014	0.43

Over the past year, IBND and FEMB have become more correlated (0.67) than their long-term average of 0.43, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

IBND vs. FEMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

IBND

IBND Risk / Return Rank: 13
IBND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
IBND Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
IBND Omega Ratio Rank: 13
IBND Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
IBND Martin Ratio Rank: 14

FEMB

FEMB Risk / Return Rank: 32
FEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
FEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

IBND vs. FEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) and First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB). 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.

	IBND	FEMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.36	1.22	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.58	1.79	-1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.23	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	1.35	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.16	4.34	-3.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IBND vs. FEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IBND Sharpe Ratio is 0.36, which is lower than the FEMB Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IBND and FEMB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IBND	FEMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36	1.22	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.15	0.16	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07	0.23	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.09	+0.07

Drawdowns

IBND vs. FEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IBND drawdown since its inception was -35.62%, which is greater than FEMB's maximum drawdown of -30.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBND and FEMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	IBND	FEMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.62%	-30.44%	-5.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.75%	-7.58%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-10.13%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.32%	-27.85%	-6.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.62%	-30.44%	-5.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.45%	-3.91%	-5.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.64%	-9.93%	-0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.46%	2.35%	+0.11%

Volatility

IBND vs. FEMB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF (IBND) is 2.04%, while First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) has a volatility of 3.05%. This indicates that IBND experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IBND	FEMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	3.05%	-1.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.15%	6.57%	-0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.97%	8.36%	-0.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.74%	10.26%	-0.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.94%	10.99%	-2.05%

IBND vs. FEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IBND has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than FEMB's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IBND vs. FEMB - Dividend Comparison

IBND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.74%, less than FEMB's 6.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FEMB First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF	6.06%	5.67%	6.09%	5.15%	6.35%	6.12%	5.29%	5.40%	5.86%	6.38%	5.83%	4.89%
IBND SPDR Bloomberg Barclays International Corporate Bond ETF	2.74%	2.49%	2.61%	2.08%	0.54%	0.38%	0.45%	0.67%	0.71%	0.34%	0.01%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IBND and FEMB in my portfolio?

IBND and FEMB have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IBND or FEMB?

FEMB has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to IBND (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBND dropped -35.62% vs FEMB's -30.44%.

Which ETF is better, IBND or FEMB?

On 10-year performance, FEMB leads with 2.51% vs 0.65% for IBND. On fees, IBND is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, IBND has been the lower-risk option at 2.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IBND or FEMB?

Over the 10-year period, FEMB has performed better with a 2.51% return vs 0.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IBND or FEMB?

IBND is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FEMB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IBND or FEMB?

FEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.06%, compared with 2.74% for IBND.

What is the main difference between IBND and FEMB?

IBND is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while FEMB is Emerging Markets Bonds. They also come from different issuers: State Street and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IBND and 0.85% for FEMB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FEMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.22 vs 0.36), 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.