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IEMG vs. DIVB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEMG vs. DIVB

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and DIVB (iShares U.S. Dividend and Buyback ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while DIVB is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 6.57%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for DIVB. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DIVB.

Performance

IEMG vs. DIVB - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 18.97% return, which is significantly higher than DIVB's 16.10% return.

IEMG

1D
1.70%
1M
-3.66%
YTD
18.97%
6M
20.80%
1Y
40.80%
3Y*
20.51%
5Y*
6.57%
10Y*
9.88%

DIVB

1D
0.09%
1M
5.36%
YTD
16.10%
6M
16.58%
1Y
27.52%
3Y*
21.21%
5Y*
11.98%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEMG vs. DIVB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEMG
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		18.97%32.56%6.50%11.52%-19.98%-0.64%17.87%17.81%-14.92%3.24%
DIVB
iShares U.S. Dividend and Buyback ETF		16.10%15.09%18.59%13.27%-10.51%31.29%10.78%32.72%-8.16%5.95%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and DIVB is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.47

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

0.52

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

0.57

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2017

0.60

The correlation between IEMG and DIVB shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.60 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

iShares U.S. Dividend and Buyback ETF

Often compared with IEMG:
IEMG vs. VWOIEMG vs. EEMIEMG vs. IEFAIEMG vs. EMXCIEMG vs. SCHEIEMG vs. IXUSIEMG vs. SPY
Often compared with DIVB:
DIVB vs. SCHDDIVB vs. DGRODIVB vs. VOODIVB vs. PKWDIVB vs. SPDGDIVB vs. CALFDIVB vs. DHS

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. DIVB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEMG
IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
DIVB
DIVB Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
DIVB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DIVB Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
DIVB Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
DIVB Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
DIVB Martin Ratio Rank: 7878
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.

IEMG vs. DIVB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

IEMGDIVBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.99
2.40

-0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.58
3.35

-0.77

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.42

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.10

4.05

-0.95

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.68

13.75

-2.06

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. DIVB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the DIVB Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and DIVB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IEMGDIVBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.99

2.40

-0.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.35

0.79

-0.43

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.49

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.33

0.75

-0.42

Drawdowns

IEMG vs. DIVB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, roughly equal to the maximum DIVB drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and DIVB.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEMGDIVBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-38.71%

-36.93%

-1.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.21%

-6.82%

-6.39%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.21%

-15.45%

-1.76%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.75%

-21.08%

-14.67%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.71%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-7.00%

-1.98%

-5.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.97%

-4.99%

-7.98%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.50%

2.01%

+1.49%

Volatility

IEMG vs. DIVB - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 10.33% compared to iShares U.S. Dividend and Buyback ETF (DIVB) at 4.05%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DIVB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEMGDIVBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.33%

4.05%

+6.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.35%

8.68%

+9.67%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.62%

11.53%

+9.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.62%

15.26%

+3.36%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.14%

18.38%

+1.76%

IEMG vs. DIVB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than DIVB's 0.25% 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. DIVB - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than DIVB's 2.21% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DIVB
iShares U.S. Dividend and Buyback ETF		2.21%2.50%2.61%3.18%2.02%1.63%2.08%2.07%2.52%0.37%0.00%0.00%
IEMG
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		2.31%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

IEMG and DIVB have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEMG has higher volatility (10.33%) compared to DIVB (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs DIVB's -36.93%.

On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 11.98% vs 6.57% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, DIVB has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, DIVB has performed better with a 11.98% return vs 6.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DIVB.

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.31%, compared with 2.21% for DIVB.

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while DIVB is Large Cap Blend Equities. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while DIVB tracks Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.25% for DIVB.

DIVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 vs 1.99), 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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