ITOT vs. IEMG

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ITOT returned 14.42%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for IEMG. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. ITOT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

ITOT vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ITOT achieves a 9.48% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 15.55% return. Over the past 10 years, ITOT has outperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 14.42%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.78% annualized return.

ITOT

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.48%
• 6M: 7.83%
• YTD: 9.48%
• 1Y: 17.56%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 11.47%
• 10Y*: 14.42%
• ALL TIME*: 10.52%

IEMG

• 1D: -1.78%
• 1M: -6.23%
• 6M: 7.28%
• YTD: 15.55%
• 1Y: 28.48%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: 8.78%
• ALL TIME*: 6.06%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$959.90M	$1.12B	$1.07B
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	$228.53M	$259.55M	$322.53M

ITOT vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	9.48%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	30.67%	-5.33%	21.37%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	15.55%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between ITOT and IEMG is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2012	0.70

The correlation between ITOT and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

ITOT vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITOT	IEMG
Technology	36.4%	43.6%
Financial Services	11.9%	17.3%
Industrials	9.9%	7.7%
Healthcare	9.5%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	7.7%
Communication Services	9.1%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	2.8%
Energy	3.1%	3.0%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.5%
Utilities	2.2%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.9%	5.8%

Return for Risk

ITOT vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 61
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 54
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

ITOT vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ITOT	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.21	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	1.69	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.24	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.13	-0.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.79	6.72	+2.08

ITOT vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITOT Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITOT 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.

Drawdowns

ITOT vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITOT drawdown since its inception was -55.20%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITOT and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITOT	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.20%	-38.71%	-16.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-13.21%	+4.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.44%	-17.21%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-33.61%	+8.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-38.71%	+3.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.31%	-10.41%	+8.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.94%	-12.90%	+5.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	4.19%	-2.13%

Volatility

ITOT vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) is 3.06%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 7.86%. This indicates that ITOT 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.

Volatility by Period

	ITOT	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.06%	7.86%	-4.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.02%	21.27%	-11.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.94%	23.23%	-10.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.44%	19.21%	-1.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.25%	20.26%	-2.01%

ITOT vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITOT has a 0.03% 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

ITOT vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

ITOT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than IEMG's 2.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.33%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITOT and IEMG in my portfolio?

ITOT and IEMG have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITOT or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (7.86%) compared to ITOT (3.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITOT dropped -55.20% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, ITOT or IEMG?

On 10-year performance, ITOT leads with 14.42% vs 8.78% for IEMG. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ITOT has been the lower-risk option at 3.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITOT or IEMG?

Over the 10-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 14.42% return vs 8.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITOT or IEMG?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for IEMG.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 1.02% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between ITOT and IEMG?

ITOT is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Equities. ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.03% for ITOT and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.21), 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.