IEMG vs. SCHE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and SCHE (Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, while SCHE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World Emerging. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEMG returned 10.41%/yr vs 8.87%/yr for SCHE. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. IEMG charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SCHE.

Performance

IEMG vs. SCHE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEMG achieves a 26.21% return, which is significantly higher than SCHE's 11.88% return. Over the past 10 years, IEMG has outperformed SCHE with an annualized return of 10.41%, while SCHE has yielded a comparatively lower 8.87% annualized return.

IEMG

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 26.21%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 52.58%
• 3Y*: 23.55%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

SCHE

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 2.69%
• YTD: 11.88%
• 6M: 12.88%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: 18.21%
• 5Y*: 4.94%
• 10Y*: 8.87%

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

IEMG vs. SCHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.21%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%
SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF	11.88%	26.54%	10.60%	8.93%	-17.84%	-0.65%	14.49%	20.31%	-13.57%	32.70%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and SCHE is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.98

The correlation between IEMG and SCHE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IEMG vs. SCHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEMG	SCHE
Technology	35.0%	30.8%
Financial Services	18.4%	13.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	8.9%
Industrials	9.0%	4.9%
Basic Materials	6.9%	3.9%
Communication Services	6.4%	5.2%
Energy	3.8%	3.1%
Healthcare	3.7%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	2.0%
Utilities	2.2%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.7%	1.0%

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. SCHE — Risk / Return Rank

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

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 79
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SCHE

SCHE Risk / Return Rank: 54
SCHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
SCHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
SCHE Omega Ratio Rank: 55
SCHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SCHE Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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. SCHE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE). 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	SCHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	1.89	+0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	2.63	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.35	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	2.72	+1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.38	9.82	+5.57
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. SCHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is higher than the SCHE Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and SCHE, 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	SCHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	1.89	+0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.28	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.46	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.25	+0.10

Drawdowns

IEMG vs. SCHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than SCHE's maximum drawdown of -36.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and SCHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	SCHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-36.20%	-2.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-11.29%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-17.08%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.83%	-33.59%	-2.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	-36.20%	-2.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	-1.45%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-12.60%	-0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	3.12%	+0.31%

Volatility

IEMG vs. SCHE - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 8.31% compared to Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) at 5.80%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	SCHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	5.80%	+2.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.93%	13.58%	+3.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	16.26%	+3.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	17.67%	+0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.03%	19.46%	+0.57%

IEMG vs. SCHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEMG has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SCHE's 0.11% 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. SCHE - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than SCHE's 2.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.18%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.57%	2.88%	3.03%	3.83%	2.88%	2.86%	2.09%	3.27%	2.64%	2.31%	2.27%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEMG and SCHE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, IEMG and SCHE move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IEMG or SCHE?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to SCHE (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs SCHE's -36.20%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or SCHE?

On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 10.41% vs 8.87% for SCHE. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SCHE has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or SCHE?

Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 10.41% return vs 8.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or SCHE?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.11% for SCHE.

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

SCHE has the higher dividend yield at 2.57%, compared with 2.18% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between IEMG and SCHE?

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SCHE is Emerging Markets Equities. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, while SCHE tracks FTSE All-World Emerging. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IEMG and 0.11% for SCHE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.89), 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.