IEMG vs. BBJP

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and BBJP (JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while BBJP is a Japan Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Japan Target Market Exposure Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 6.77%/yr vs 8.67%/yr for BBJP. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for BBJP.

Performance

IEMG vs. BBJP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 15.55% return, which is significantly higher than BBJP's 11.90% return.

IEMG

• 1D: -1.78%
• 1M: -6.23%
• 6M: 7.28%
• YTD: 15.55%
• 1Y: 28.48%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: 8.78%
• ALL TIME*: 6.06%

BBJP

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -2.16%
• 6M: 6.85%
• YTD: 11.90%
• 1Y: 24.42%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BBJP JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF	$122.93M	$111.87M	$115.37M
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$959.90M	$1.12B	$1.07B

IEMG vs. BBJP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	15.55%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-11.92%
BBJP JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF	11.90%	26.55%	7.47%	20.65%	-17.24%	1.21%	15.42%	18.85%	-13.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and BBJP is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 18, 2018	0.66

The correlation between IEMG and BBJP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEMG vs. BBJP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEMG	BBJP
Technology	43.6%	22.2%
Financial Services	17.3%	18.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	10.7%
Industrials	7.7%	25.6%
Basic Materials	5.8%	4.1%
Communication Services	5.6%	4.6%
Healthcare	3.2%	5.8%
Energy	3.0%	0.9%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	3.6%
Utilities	1.9%	1.0%
Real Estate	1.5%	2.2%

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. BBJP — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 54
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

BBJP

BBJP Risk / Return Rank: 48
BBJP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
BBJP Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
BBJP Omega Ratio Rank: 48
BBJP Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
BBJP Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

IEMG vs. BBJP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP). 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.

	IEMG	BBJP	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.14	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	1.67	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.22	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	1.70	+0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.72	5.53	+1.19

IEMG vs. BBJP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is comparable to the BBJP Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and BBJP, 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

IEMG vs. BBJP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than BBJP's maximum drawdown of -32.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and BBJP.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	BBJP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-32.66%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-13.60%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-14.49%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-32.66%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.41%	-5.62%	-4.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-8.43%	-4.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	4.19%	0.00%

Volatility

IEMG vs. BBJP - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 7.86% compared to JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) at 5.94%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BBJP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	BBJP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.86%	5.94%	+1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.27%	16.84%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.23%	20.22%	+3.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.21%	18.45%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.26%	18.41%	+1.85%

IEMG vs. BBJP - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than BBJP's 0.19% 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

IEMG vs. BBJP - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.33%, less than BBJP's 4.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBJP JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF	4.80%	5.37%	2.80%	3.05%	1.52%	2.89%	1.12%	2.31%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.33%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEMG and BBJP in my portfolio?

IEMG and BBJP have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IEMG or BBJP?

IEMG has higher volatility (7.86%) compared to BBJP (5.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs BBJP's -32.66%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or BBJP?

On 5-year performance, BBJP leads with 8.67% vs 6.77% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, BBJP has been the lower-risk option at 5.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or BBJP?

Over the 5-year period, BBJP has performed better with a 8.67% return vs 6.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or BBJP?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for BBJP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEMG or BBJP?

BBJP has the higher dividend yield at 4.80%, compared with 2.33% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between IEMG and BBJP?

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while BBJP is Japan Equities. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while BBJP tracks Morningstar Japan Target Market Exposure Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.19% for BBJP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 1.14), 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.