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IGIB vs. FEMB
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGIB vs. FEMB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGIB (iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and FEMB (First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGIB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Intermediate Credit Index, while FEMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. IGIB is passively managed, while FEMB is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGIB returned 3.04%/yr vs 2.51%/yr for FEMB. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGIB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for FEMB.

Performance

IGIB vs. FEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGIB) and First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGIB achieves a 0.21% return, which is significantly lower than FEMB's 0.60% return. Over the past 10 years, IGIB has outperformed FEMB with an annualized return of 3.04%, while FEMB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.51% annualized return.

IGIB

1D
-0.19%
1M
0.31%
YTD
0.21%
6M
0.14%
1Y
6.27%
3Y*
6.21%
5Y*
1.37%
10Y*
3.04%

FEMB

1D
-0.81%
1M
0.57%
YTD
0.60%
6M
0.88%
1Y
10.20%
3Y*
7.79%
5Y*
1.63%
10Y*
2.51%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGIB vs. FEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGIB
iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF		0.21%9.58%3.49%9.22%-14.00%-1.66%9.64%14.60%-0.71%3.50%
FEMB
First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF		0.60%21.77%-5.61%17.12%-10.50%-13.40%3.16%11.52%-7.19%11.92%

Correlation

The correlation between IGIB and FEMB is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.45

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.47

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.31

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2014

0.28

The correlation between IGIB and FEMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (all time) to 0.49 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF

First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF

Often compared with IGIB:
IGIB vs. VCITIGIB vs. IGSBIGIB vs. LQDIGIB vs. USIGIGIB vs. VGITIGIB vs. AGGIGIB vs. BND
Often compared with FEMB:
FEMB vs. PCYFEMB vs. EMBFEMB vs. ELDFEMB vs. VRIGFEMB vs. BWZFEMB vs. EMLCFEMB vs. FALN

Return for Risk

IGIB vs. FEMB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGIB
IGIB Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
IGIB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGIB Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGIB Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IGIB Calmar Ratio Rank: 4242
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGIB Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank
FEMB
FEMB Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
FEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3333
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 3434
Sortino Ratio Rank
FEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
FEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
FEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 3030
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGIB vs. FEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGIB) and First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB). 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.

IGIBFEMBDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.52
1.22

+0.30

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.26
1.79

+0.47

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.23

+0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.09

1.35

+0.74

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.08

4.34

+2.74

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGIB vs. FEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGIB Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the FEMB Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGIB and FEMB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IGIBFEMBDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.52

1.22

+0.30

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.21

0.16

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.50

0.23

+0.27

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.09

+0.61

Drawdowns

IGIB vs. FEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGIB drawdown since its inception was -20.62%, smaller than the maximum FEMB drawdown of -30.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGIB and FEMB.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGIBFEMBDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-20.62%

-30.44%

+9.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-3.01%

-7.58%

+4.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-6.05%

-10.13%

+4.08%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.62%

-27.85%

+7.23%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-20.62%

-30.44%

+9.82%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.33%

-3.91%

+2.58%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.58%

-9.93%

+7.35%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.89%

2.35%

-1.46%

Volatility

IGIB vs. FEMB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGIB) is 1.33%, while First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF (FEMB) has a volatility of 3.05%. This indicates that IGIB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGIBFEMBDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.33%

3.05%

-1.72%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.08%

6.57%

-3.49%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.14%

8.36%

-4.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.56%

10.26%

-3.70%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.06%

10.99%

-4.93%

IGIB vs. FEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGIB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FEMB's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGIB vs. FEMB - Dividend Comparison

IGIB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.82%, less than FEMB's 6.06% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FEMB
First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF		6.06%5.67%6.09%5.15%6.35%6.12%5.29%5.40%5.86%6.38%5.83%4.89%
IGIB
iShares Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF		4.82%4.59%4.41%3.78%3.04%2.52%2.74%3.44%3.41%2.51%2.45%2.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGIB and FEMB have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

FEMB has higher volatility (3.05%) compared to IGIB (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGIB dropped -20.62% vs FEMB's -30.44%.

On 10-year performance, IGIB leads with 3.04% vs 2.51% for FEMB. On fees, IGIB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IGIB has been the lower-risk option at 1.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IGIB has performed better with a 3.04% return vs 2.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IGIB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FEMB.

FEMB has the higher dividend yield at 6.06%, compared with 4.82% for IGIB.

IGIB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while FEMB is Emerging Markets Bonds. They also come from different issuers: iShares and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGIB and 0.85% for FEMB.

IGIB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.22), 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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