IEMG vs. LVHI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and LVHI (Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while LVHI is a Volatility Hedged Equity fund tracking the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index-NR. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 6.57%/yr vs 15.67%/yr for LVHI. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for LVHI.

Performance

IEMG vs. LVHI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 18.97% return, which is significantly higher than LVHI's 11.45% 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%

LVHI

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 0.77%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 29.27%
• 3Y*: 20.97%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: —

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

IEMG vs. LVHI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%	37.38%
LVHI Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF	11.45%	27.12%	14.81%	17.45%	3.84%	18.19%	-8.76%	18.35%	-5.22%	12.26%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and LVHI is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 28, 2016	0.49

The correlation between IEMG and LVHI shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEMG vs. LVHI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEMG	LVHI
Technology	35.0%	0.1%
Financial Services	18.4%	23.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	5.3%
Industrials	9.0%	13.4%
Basic Materials	6.9%	6.1%
Communication Services	6.4%	5.8%
Energy	3.8%	17.4%
Healthcare	3.7%	7.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	8.7%
Utilities	2.2%	10.4%
Real Estate	1.7%	1.9%

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. LVHI — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 67
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

LVHI

LVHI Risk / Return Rank: 92
LVHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
LVHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
LVHI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
LVHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
LVHI Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. LVHI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI). 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	LVHI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	3.10	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	4.24	-1.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.58	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	4.84	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.68	19.99	-8.30
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. LVHI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is lower than the LVHI Sharpe Ratio of 3.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and LVHI, 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	LVHI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.99	3.10	-1.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	1.42	-1.07
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	0.81	-0.49

Drawdowns

IEMG vs. LVHI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than LVHI's maximum drawdown of -32.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and LVHI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	LVHI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-32.31%	-6.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-6.08%	-7.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-11.99%	-5.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.75%	-11.99%	-23.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.00%	-1.79%	-5.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-3.52%	-9.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.50%	1.47%	+2.03%

Volatility

IEMG vs. LVHI - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 10.33% compared to Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) at 2.35%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVHI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	LVHI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.33%	2.35%	+7.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.35%	7.58%	+10.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.62%	9.50%	+11.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.62%	11.07%	+7.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.14%	13.76%	+6.38%

IEMG vs. LVHI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than LVHI's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEMG vs. LVHI - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than LVHI's 4.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
LVHI Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF	4.79%	4.92%	3.98%	8.12%	7.74%	4.13%	3.97%	6.67%	10.67%	3.38%	2.02%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEMG and LVHI in my portfolio?

IEMG and LVHI have a correlation of 0.42, 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 LVHI?

IEMG has higher volatility (10.33%) compared to LVHI (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs LVHI's -32.31%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or LVHI?

On 5-year performance, LVHI leads with 15.67% vs 6.57% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, LVHI has been the lower-risk option at 2.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or LVHI?

Over the 5-year period, LVHI has performed better with a 15.67% return vs 6.57%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or LVHI?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for LVHI.

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

LVHI has the higher dividend yield at 4.79%, compared with 2.31% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between IEMG and LVHI?

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while LVHI is Volatility Hedged Equity. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net), while LVHI tracks Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Hedged Index-NR. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.40% for LVHI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LVHI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.10 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.