IWB vs. HLMEX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IWB (iShares Russell 1000 ETF) and HLMEX (Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio) are both funds - IWB is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Index, while HLMEX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Harding Loevner. Over the past 10 years, IWB returned 14.97%/yr vs 6.21%/yr for HLMEX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IWB charges 0.15%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for HLMEX.

Performance

IWB vs. HLMEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) and Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IWB achieves a 8.46% return, which is significantly lower than HLMEX's 14.91% return. Over the past 10 years, IWB has outperformed HLMEX with an annualized return of 14.97%, while HLMEX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.21% annualized return.

IWB

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 8.46%
• 6M: 8.45%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 21.07%
• 5Y*: 12.59%
• 10Y*: 14.97%

HLMEX

• 1D: -4.17%
• 1M: -4.10%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 6M: 15.65%
• 1Y: 35.50%
• 3Y*: 15.48%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 6.21%

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

IWB vs. HLMEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF	8.46%	17.18%	24.32%	26.39%	-19.19%	26.32%	20.77%	31.06%	-4.90%	21.52%
HLMEX Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio	14.91%	28.02%	2.71%	6.16%	-27.66%	-3.41%	13.88%	25.78%	-18.62%	35.33%

Correlation

The correlation between IWB and HLMEX is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 17, 2005	0.73

The correlation between IWB and HLMEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IWB vs. HLMEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWB

IWB Risk / Return Rank: 66
IWB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
IWB Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IWB Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IWB Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IWB Martin Ratio Rank: 73

HLMEX

HLMEX Risk / Return Rank: 71
HLMEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
HLMEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
HLMEX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
HLMEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
HLMEX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

IWB vs. HLMEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) and Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX). 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.

	IWB	HLMEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.32	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	3.09	-0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.44	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.96	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.38	11.52	+0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWB vs. HLMEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWB Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the HLMEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWB and HLMEX, 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

	IWB	HLMEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.32	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.05	+0.69
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.35	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.29	+0.16

Drawdowns

IWB vs. HLMEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWB drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, smaller than the maximum HLMEX drawdown of -65.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWB and HLMEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWB	HLMEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.38%	-65.03%	+9.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.86%	-12.12%	+3.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.09%	-18.59%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.20%	-42.65%	+17.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.60%	-43.82%	+9.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.58%	-5.84%	+3.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.85%	-17.16%	+6.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	3.11%	-1.17%

Volatility

IWB vs. HLMEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 1000 ETF (IWB) is 3.74%, while Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio (HLMEX) has a volatility of 6.50%. This indicates that IWB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HLMEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IWB	HLMEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	6.50%	-2.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.37%	13.41%	-4.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.20%	15.48%	-3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.14%	16.69%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	17.97%	+0.19%

IWB vs. HLMEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IWB has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than HLMEX's 1.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

IWB vs. HLMEX - Dividend Comparison

IWB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than HLMEX's 83.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLMEX Harding Loevner Institutional Emerging Markets Portfolio	83.12%	95.51%	14.22%	1.40%	0.96%	0.71%	0.39%	1.46%	0.98%	0.76%	0.62%	0.63%
IWB iShares Russell 1000 ETF	0.93%	1.00%	1.14%	1.31%	1.56%	1.09%	1.37%	1.71%	2.06%	1.64%	1.89%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IWB and HLMEX in my portfolio?

IWB and HLMEX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IWB or HLMEX?

HLMEX has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to IWB (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWB dropped -55.38% vs HLMEX's -65.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HLMEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.98), 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.