IXJ vs. EMLC
IXJ (iShares Global Healthcare ETF) and EMLC (VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IXJ is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while EMLC is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IXJ returned 8.43%/yr vs 2.28%/yr for EMLC. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IXJ charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for EMLC.
Performance
IXJ vs. EMLC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IXJ achieves a -1.18% return, which is significantly lower than EMLC's 1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, IXJ has outperformed EMLC with an annualized return of 8.43%, while EMLC has yielded a comparatively lower 2.28% annualized return.
IXJ
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- 3.58%
- YTD
- -1.18%
- 6M
- -0.09%
- 1Y
- 11.25%
- 3Y*
- 5.65%
- 5Y*
- 4.37%
- 10Y*
- 8.43%
EMLC
- 1D
- 0.28%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 1.40%
- 6M
- 2.50%
- 1Y
- 9.22%
- 3Y*
- 6.63%
- 5Y*
- 1.36%
- 10Y*
- 2.28%
IXJ vs. EMLC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | -1.18% | 14.99% | 0.55% | 3.62% | -4.94% | 19.60% | 12.74% | 23.23% | 2.83% | 20.44% |
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 1.40% | 18.81% | -2.97% | 11.18% | -10.58% | -9.72% | 3.08% | 9.79% | -7.57% | 13.84% |
Correlation
The correlation between IXJ and EMLC is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2010 | 0.41 |
The correlation between IXJ and EMLC shifts across timeframes, from 0.32 (3 years) to 0.43 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IXJ vs. EMLC — Risk / Return Rank
IXJ
EMLC
IXJ vs. EMLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) and VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC). 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.
| IXJ | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.24 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.95 | 1.42 | -0.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.29 | 4.75 | -2.46 |
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Drawdowns
IXJ vs. EMLC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IXJ drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than EMLC's maximum drawdown of -32.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXJ and EMLC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IXJ | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.60% | -32.43% | -8.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.78% | -6.19% | -4.59% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.14% | -9.15% | -8.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.14% | -24.58% | +6.44% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.35% | -26.47% | -0.88% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.37% | -3.83% | -1.54% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.92% | -14.35% | +7.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.52% | 1.86% | +2.66% |
Volatility
IXJ vs. EMLC - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global Healthcare ETF (IXJ) has a higher volatility of 4.81% compared to VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (EMLC) at 2.44%. This indicates that IXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IXJ | EMLC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.81% | 2.44% | +2.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.46% | 6.17% | +4.29% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.92% | 7.06% | +7.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.26% | 9.14% | +5.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.70% | 10.04% | +5.66% |
IXJ vs. EMLC - Expense Ratio Comparison
IXJ has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than EMLC's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
IXJ vs. EMLC - Dividend Comparison
IXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than EMLC's 6.16% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EMLC VanEck Vectors J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 6.16% | 5.91% | 6.55% | 5.97% | 5.54% | 5.25% | 4.90% | 6.25% | 6.50% | 5.34% | 5.32% | 6.25% |
IXJ iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 1.41% | 1.40% | 1.50% | 1.38% | 1.17% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.42% | 2.11% | 1.46% | 1.73% | 2.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IXJ and EMLC have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IXJ has higher volatility (4.81%) compared to EMLC (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IXJ dropped -40.60% vs EMLC's -32.43%.
On 10-year performance, IXJ leads with 8.43% vs 2.28% for EMLC. On fees, EMLC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, EMLC has been the lower-risk option at 2.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IXJ has performed better with a 8.43% return vs 2.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EMLC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for IXJ.
EMLC has the higher dividend yield at 6.16%, compared with 1.41% for IXJ.
IXJ is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while EMLC is Emerging Markets Bonds. IXJ tracks S&P Global Healthcare Sector Index, while EMLC tracks J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Core Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for IXJ and 0.30% for EMLC.
EMLC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.69), 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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