IEMG vs. DGRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEMG returned 10.41%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for DGRO. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

IEMG vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 26.21% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 8.76% return. Over the past 10 years, IEMG has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 10.41%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.30% annualized return.

IEMG

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 26.21%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 52.58%
• 3Y*: 23.55%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

DGRO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 8.76%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 22.54%
• 3Y*: 16.99%
• 5Y*: 10.54%
• 10Y*: 13.30%

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

IEMG vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.21%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	8.76%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and DGRO is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014	0.62

The correlation between IEMG and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEMG vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEMG	DGRO
Technology	35.0%	19.4%
Financial Services	18.4%	21.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	5.7%
Industrials	9.0%	10.8%
Basic Materials	6.9%	2.5%
Communication Services	6.4%	0.1%
Energy	3.8%	5.6%
Healthcare	3.7%	16.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	11.5%
Utilities	2.2%	6.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	-

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 79
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 78

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 71
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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.

	IEMG	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	2.39	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	3.49	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.43	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	3.50	+0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.38	13.52	+1.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEMG vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and DGRO, 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

	IEMG	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	2.39	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.77	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.80	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.76	-0.41

Drawdowns

IEMG vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-35.10%	-3.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-6.47%	-6.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-14.03%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.83%	-19.31%	-16.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	-35.10%	-3.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-0.28%	-1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-3.44%	-9.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	1.67%	+1.76%

Volatility

IEMG vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 8.31% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.21%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	2.21%	+6.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.93%	6.91%	+10.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	9.48%	+9.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	13.82%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.03%	16.62%	+3.41%

IEMG vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, 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. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, more than DGRO's 1.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.96%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.18%	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 DGRO in my portfolio?

IEMG and DGRO have a correlation of 0.48, 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 DGRO?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to DGRO (2.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.30% vs 10.41% for IEMG. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.30% return vs 10.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for IEMG.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.18%, compared with 1.96% for DGRO.

What is the main difference between IEMG and DGRO?

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while DGRO is Large Cap Growth Equities. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 2.39), 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.