IEMG vs. EMB
IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while EMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEMG returned 10.42%/yr vs 3.39%/yr for EMB. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EMB.
Performance
IEMG vs. EMB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 22.84% return, which is significantly higher than EMB's 2.29% return. Over the past 10 years, IEMG has outperformed EMB with an annualized return of 10.42%, while EMB has yielded a comparatively lower 3.39% annualized return.
IEMG
- 1D
- 0.61%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 22.84%
- 6M
- 25.59%
- 1Y
- 42.50%
- 3Y*
- 21.33%
- 5Y*
- 7.15%
- 10Y*
- 10.42%
EMB
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 1.29%
- YTD
- 2.29%
- 6M
- 2.72%
- 1Y
- 10.83%
- 3Y*
- 9.63%
- 5Y*
- 1.79%
- 10Y*
- 3.39%
IEMG vs. EMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 22.84% | 32.56% | 6.50% | 11.52% | -19.98% | -0.64% | 17.87% | 17.81% | -14.92% | 37.38% |
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 2.29% | 13.85% | 5.54% | 10.62% | -18.63% | -2.23% | 5.42% | 15.48% | -5.47% | 10.28% |
Correlation
The correlation between IEMG and EMB is 0.56, 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 | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.50 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012 | 0.50 |
The correlation between IEMG and EMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
IEMG vs. EMB — Risk / Return Rank
IEMG
EMB
IEMG vs. EMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). 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 | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.37 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.23 | 2.41 | +0.82 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.89 | 10.28 | +1.61 |
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Drawdowns
IEMG vs. EMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than EMB's maximum drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and EMB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IEMG | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.71% | -34.70% | -4.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.21% | -4.51% | -8.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.21% | -7.95% | -9.26% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.75% | -28.74% | -7.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.71% | -28.74% | -9.97% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.98% | 0.00% | -3.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.95% | -5.05% | -7.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.59% | 1.06% | +2.53% |
Volatility
IEMG vs. EMB - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 10.60% compared to iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) at 2.02%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IEMG | EMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.60% | 2.02% | +8.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.89% | 4.66% | +14.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.08% | 5.67% | +15.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.73% | 9.76% | +8.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.17% | 9.96% | +10.21% |
IEMG vs. EMB - Expense Ratio Comparison
IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than EMB's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
IEMG vs. EMB - Dividend Comparison
IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, less than EMB's 5.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF | 5.03% | 4.98% | 5.46% | 4.74% | 5.04% | 3.89% | 3.88% | 4.51% | 5.64% | 4.54% | 4.83% | 4.84% |
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.24% | 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 EMB have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IEMG has higher volatility (10.60%) compared to EMB (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs EMB's -34.70%.
On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 10.42% vs 3.39% for EMB. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EMB has been the lower-risk option at 2.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 10.42% return vs 3.39%. 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 0.39% for EMB.
EMB has the higher dividend yield at 5.03%, compared with 2.24% for IEMG.
IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while EMB is Emerging Markets Bonds. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while EMB tracks JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.39% for EMB.
IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.92), 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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