PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

IEM.AX (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU)) and VGE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - IEM.AX tracks the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index while VGE.AX tracks the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEM.AX returned 9.10%/yr vs 8.28%/yr for VGE.AX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU) (IEM.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (VGE.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEM.AX achieves a 14.97% return, which is significantly higher than VGE.AX's 4.15% return. Over the past 10 years, IEM.AX has outperformed VGE.AX with an annualized return of 9.10%, while VGE.AX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.28% annualized return.

IEM.AX

1D
-2.08%
1M
-4.44%
6M
8.61%
YTD
14.97%
1Y
26.47%
3Y*
17.23%
5Y*
6.95%
10Y*
9.10%

VGE.AX

1D
-0.09%
1M
-0.57%
6M
1.41%
YTD
4.15%
1Y
11.82%
3Y*
13.35%
5Y*
5.34%
10Y*
8.28%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEM.AX
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU)		14.97%22.71%14.85%6.42%-13.41%1.75%7.24%17.26%-5.17%26.57%
VGE.AX
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF		4.15%16.61%19.57%5.11%-12.17%7.21%6.36%20.69%-5.23%21.54%

Correlation

The correlation between IEM.AX and VGE.AX is 0.79, 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

0.79

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

0.77

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

0.82

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

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2013

0.81

The correlation between IEM.AX and VGE.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU)

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF

Return for Risk

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEM.AX
IEM.AX Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
IEM.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEM.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4646
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEM.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 5252
Omega Ratio Rank
IEM.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEM.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
VGE.AX
VGE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
VGE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
VGE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
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.

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU) (IEM.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (VGE.AX). 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.

IEM.AXVGE.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.41
0.85

+0.56

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.95
1.27

+0.68

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.16

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.26

0.90

+1.35

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.30

2.80

+4.50

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEM.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is higher than the VGE.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEM.AX and VGE.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEM.AX drawdown since its inception was -43.82%, which is greater than VGE.AX's maximum drawdown of -27.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEM.AX and VGE.AX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

IEM.AXVGE.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-43.82%

-27.06%

-16.76%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.25%

-12.53%

+1.28%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-11.25%

-12.53%

+1.28%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.97%

-20.98%

-4.99%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.57%

-22.93%

-4.64%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.45%

-2.08%

-5.37%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.22%

-6.81%

-5.41%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.53%

4.13%

-0.60%

Volatility

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU) (IEM.AX) has a higher volatility of 8.29% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (VGE.AX) at 4.55%. This indicates that IEM.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGE.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

IEM.AXVGE.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.29%

4.55%

+3.74%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.73%

11.58%

+5.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

18.03%

13.39%

+4.64%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.51%

13.53%

+1.98%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.48%

14.50%

+0.98%

Dividends

IEM.AX vs. VGE.AX - Dividend Comparison

IEM.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, more than VGE.AX's 0.32% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEM.AX
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (AU)		0.80%0.89%0.66%1.16%3.38%2.36%1.28%3.45%1.06%2.28%0.00%0.00%
VGE.AX
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF		0.32%3.22%0.50%1.62%2.83%2.68%3.78%3.15%2.22%2.01%1.65%3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

IEM.AX and VGE.AX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEM.AX tracks iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index, while VGE.AX tracks Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for IEM.AX and VGE.AX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer