IEMG vs. ECOW

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and ECOW (Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net) while ECOW tracks the Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 7.08%/yr vs 6.83%/yr for ECOW. Their 0.71 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ECOW.

Performance

IEMG vs. ECOW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 17.13% return, which is significantly higher than ECOW's 12.88% return.

IEMG

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -2.17%
• 6M: 8.11%
• YTD: 17.13%
• 1Y: 33.73%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 7.08%
• 10Y*: 8.70%
• ALL TIME*: 6.15%

ECOW

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 3.07%
• 6M: 4.72%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 1Y: 29.12%
• 3Y*: 17.21%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.32%

*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)
ECOW Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF	$573.24K	$693.96K	$1.37M
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$832.99M	$964.62M	$1.10B

IEMG vs. ECOW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	17.13%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	4.34%
ECOW Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF	12.88%	32.50%	3.17%	15.79%	-19.28%	7.47%	-2.51%	10.37%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and ECOW is 0.74, 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.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2019	0.71

The correlation between IEMG and ECOW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEMG vs. ECOW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEMG	ECOW
Technology	43.6%	4.2%
Financial Services	17.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	13.9%
Industrials	7.7%	10.7%
Basic Materials	5.8%	11.2%
Communication Services	5.6%	15.2%
Healthcare	3.2%	3.7%
Energy	3.0%	10.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	11.6%
Utilities	1.9%	6.9%
Real Estate	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. ECOW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 62
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

ECOW

ECOW Risk / Return Rank: 80
ECOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
ECOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
ECOW Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ECOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ECOW Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IEMG vs. ECOW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW). 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	ECOW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.98	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.70	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.36	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	3.50	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	9.20	-1.70

IEMG vs. ECOW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the ECOW Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and ECOW, 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. ECOW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, roughly equal to the maximum ECOW drawdown of -40.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and ECOW.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	ECOW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-40.27%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.78%	-8.35%	-5.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-18.77%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.61%	-33.30%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.17%	-3.72%	-5.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.89%	-10.93%	-1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.51%	3.17%	+1.34%

Volatility

IEMG vs. ECOW - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 8.73% compared to Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF (ECOW) at 3.45%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ECOW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	ECOW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.73%	3.45%	+5.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.65%	11.82%	+9.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.74%	14.78%	+8.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.27%	17.73%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.32%	20.03%	+0.29%

IEMG vs. ECOW - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ECOW's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEMG vs. ECOW - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than ECOW's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECOW Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF	4.45%	5.20%	7.35%	5.46%	7.50%	4.39%	3.35%	8.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.30%	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 ECOW in my portfolio?

IEMG and ECOW have a correlation of 0.74, 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 ECOW?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.73%) compared to ECOW (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs ECOW's -40.27%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or ECOW?

On 5-year performance, IEMG leads with 7.08% vs 6.83% for ECOW. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, ECOW has been the lower-risk option at 3.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or ECOW?

Over the 5-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 7.08% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or ECOW?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ECOW.

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

ECOW has the higher dividend yield at 4.45%, compared with 2.30% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between IEMG and ECOW?

IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while ECOW tracks Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.70% for ECOW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.43), 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.