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IGSB vs. IEMG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGSB vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IGSB (iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGSB is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGSB returned 2.71%/yr vs 9.88%/yr for IEMG. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGSB charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

IGSB vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGSB achieves a 0.52% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 18.97% return. Over the past 10 years, IGSB has underperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 2.71%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively higher 9.88% annualized return.

IGSB

1D
0.04%
1M
-0.25%
YTD
0.52%
6M
1.00%
1Y
4.70%
3Y*
5.70%
5Y*
2.36%
10Y*
2.71%

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

IGSB vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		0.52%6.96%4.97%6.40%-5.63%-0.56%5.37%7.11%1.25%1.27%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between IGSB and IEMG is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.32

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

0.27

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

0.25

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

0.17

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012

0.15

The correlation between IGSB and IEMG shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), 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 Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with IGSB:
IGSB vs. VCSHIGSB vs. LQDIGSB vs. SPSBIGSB vs. IGIBIGSB vs. SLQDIGSB vs. FLDRIGSB vs. AGG
Often compared with IEMG:
IEMG vs. VWOIEMG vs. EEMIEMG vs. IEFAIEMG vs. EMXCIEMG vs. SCHEIEMG vs. IXUSIEMG vs. SPY

Return for Risk

IGSB vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGSB
IGSB Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
IGSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGSB Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
IGSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGSB Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
IEMG
IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
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.

IGSB vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). 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.

IGSBIEMGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.47
1.99

+0.48

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.83
2.58

+1.25

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.50

1.38

+0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.24

3.10

+0.13

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.12

11.68

+1.44

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

IGSB vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGSB Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGSB and IEMG, 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

IGSBIEMGDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.47

1.99

+0.48

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.35

+0.46

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

0.49

+0.29

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.33

+0.37

Drawdowns

IGSB vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGSB drawdown since its inception was -13.38%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGSB and IEMG.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGSBIEMGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.38%

-38.71%

+25.33%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.46%

-13.21%

+11.75%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.46%

-17.21%

+15.75%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-9.46%

-35.75%

+26.29%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.38%

-38.71%

+25.33%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.51%

-7.00%

+6.49%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-0.85%

-12.97%

+12.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.36%

3.50%

-3.14%

Volatility

IGSB vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (IGSB) is 0.61%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 10.33%. This indicates that IGSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IGSBIEMGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.61%

10.33%

-9.72%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.44%

18.35%

-16.91%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.91%

20.62%

-18.71%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

2.93%

18.62%

-15.69%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.47%

20.14%

-16.67%

IGSB vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGSB has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IEMG's 0.09% 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

IGSB vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

IGSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than IEMG's 2.31% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
IGSB
iShares Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF		4.59%4.44%4.02%3.26%2.07%1.82%2.36%3.06%2.46%1.65%1.45%1.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

IGSB and IEMG have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IEMG has higher volatility (10.33%) compared to IGSB (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGSB dropped -13.38% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 9.88% vs 2.71% for IGSB. On fees, IGSB is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IGSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 9.88% return vs 2.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IGSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for IEMG.

IGSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 2.31% for IEMG.

IGSB is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. IGSB tracks ICE BofAML 1-5 Year US Corporate Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IGSB and 0.09% for IEMG.

IGSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.

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