IEMG vs. SGOV

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IEMG returned 7.58%/yr vs 3.54%/yr for SGOV. At a 0.00 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

IEMG vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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 SGOV's 1.51% 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%

SGOV

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.95%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: —

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

IEMG vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.21%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	42.78%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	1.51%	4.24%	5.27%	5.12%	1.58%	0.04%	0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between IEMG and SGOV is -0.15, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.02
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2020	0.00

The correlation between IEMG and SGOV shifts across timeframes, from -0.15 (1 year) to 0.02 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IEMG vs. SGOV — 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

SGOV

SGOV Risk / Return Rank: 100
SGOV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Omega Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
SGOV Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	20.28	-17.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	275.69	-272.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	195.55	-194.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	398.20	-394.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.38	4,462.00	-4,446.62
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. SGOV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is lower than the SGOV Sharpe Ratio of 20.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEMG and SGOV, 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	SGOV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	20.28	-17.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	14.73	-14.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	12.48	-12.13

Drawdowns

IEMG vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEMG drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEMG and SGOV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEMG	SGOV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-0.03%	-38.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-0.01%	-13.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-0.01%	-17.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.83%	-0.03%	-35.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.34%	0.00%	-1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-0.00%	-12.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	0.00%	+3.43%

Volatility

IEMG vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a higher volatility of 8.31% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.05%. This indicates that IEMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEMG	SGOV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.31%	0.05%	+8.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.93%	0.13%	+16.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	0.20%	+19.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.38%	0.24%	+18.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.03%	0.24%	+19.79%

IEMG vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IEMG and SGOV have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IEMG vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison

IEMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than SGOV's 3.86% 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%
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF	3.86%	4.10%	5.10%	4.87%	1.45%	0.03%	0.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEMG and SGOV in my portfolio?

IEMG and SGOV have a correlation of -0.15, 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 SGOV?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to SGOV (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEMG dropped -38.71% vs SGOV's -0.03%.

Which ETF is better, IEMG or SGOV?

On 5-year performance, IEMG leads with 7.58% vs 3.54% for SGOV. Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEMG or SGOV?

Over the 5-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 7.58% return vs 3.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEMG or SGOV?

IEMG and SGOV have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

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

SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 2.18% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between IEMG and SGOV?

IEMG is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, while SGOV tracks ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.28 vs 2.72), 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.