IEMG vs. FZILX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and FZILX (Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund) are both funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while FZILX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 8.16%/yr vs 8.89%/yr for FZILX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FZILX.

Performance

IEMG vs. FZILX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 26.58% return, which is significantly higher than FZILX's 14.46% return.

IEMG

• 1D: 3.05%
• 1M: 7.04%
• YTD: 26.58%
• 6M: 29.75%
• 1Y: 49.25%
• 3Y*: 22.05%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: 10.66%

FZILX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 3.44%
• YTD: 14.46%
• 6M: 15.88%
• 1Y: 31.18%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 8.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

IEMG vs. FZILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.58%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-4.53%
FZILX Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund	14.46%	33.52%	5.32%	16.28%	-15.96%	8.19%	11.06%	21.69%	-9.38%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and FZILX is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2018	0.88

The correlation between IEMG and FZILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. FZILX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 80
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 83
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 79

FZILX

FZILX Risk / Return Rank: 58
FZILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
FZILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FZILX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FZILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
FZILX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. FZILX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund (FZILX). 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	FZILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.90	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	2.60	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.36	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.75	2.64	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	10.15	+3.63

IEMG vs. FZILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the FZILX Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and FZILX, 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. FZILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than FZILX's maximum drawdown of -34.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and FZILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	FZILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-34.37%	-4.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-11.24%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-13.47%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.75%	-29.87%	-5.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.05%	-1.58%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.95%	-6.68%	-6.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	2.92%	+0.67%

Volatility

IEMG vs. FZILX - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 11.01% compared to Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund (FZILX) at 6.65%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FZILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	FZILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.01%	6.65%	+4.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.09%	13.40%	+5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.25%	15.59%	+5.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	15.70%	+3.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.19%	17.39%	+2.80%

IEMG vs. FZILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than FZILX's 0.00% 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. FZILX - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, more than FZILX's 2.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FZILX Fidelity ZERO International Index Fund	2.34%	2.67%	3.00%	2.98%	2.71%	2.61%	1.64%	2.37%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.97%	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 FZILX in my portfolio?

IEMG and FZILX have a correlation of 0.89, 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 FZILX?

IEMG has higher volatility (11.01%) compared to FZILX (6.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs FZILX's -34.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.90), 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.