IXUS vs. IEMG

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG).

IXUS and IEMG are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. IXUS is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI ACWI ex USA Investable Market Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. IEMG is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. It was launched on Oct 18, 2012. Both IXUS and IEMG are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

IXUS vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

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

IXUS vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	2.36%	32.40%	5.19%	15.83%	-16.47%	8.86%	10.80%	21.71%	-14.41%	28.12%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	3.76%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IXUS achieves a 2.36% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 3.76% return. Over the past 10 years, IXUS has outperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 8.90%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.23% annualized return.

IXUS

• 1D: 3.46%
• 1M: -7.87%
• YTD: 2.36%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 28.40%
• 3Y*: 15.55%
• 5Y*: 7.22%
• 10Y*: 8.90%

IEMG

• 1D: 3.61%
• 1M: -9.13%
• YTD: 3.76%
• 6M: 7.65%
• 1Y: 33.09%
• 3Y*: 16.07%
• 5Y*: 4.37%
• 10Y*: 8.23%

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

IXUS vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IXUS and IEMG have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

IXUS

iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF

IEMG

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Return for Risk

IXUS vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

IXUS

IXUS Risk / Return Rank: 86
IXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
IXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
IXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
IXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 86

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 86
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 86
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

IXUS vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) 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.

	IXUS	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.68	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.27	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.34	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.48	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	9.61	-0.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IXUS vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IXUS Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IXUS and IEMG, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IXUS	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.68	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.25	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.42	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.28	+0.17

Correlation

The correlation between IXUS and IEMG is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

IXUS vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

IXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.16%, more than IEMG's 2.65% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IXUS iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF	3.16%	3.24%	3.33%	3.13%	2.48%	3.12%	1.85%	3.09%	3.00%	2.41%	2.58%	2.81%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.65%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%

Drawdowns

IXUS vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IXUS drawdown since its inception was -36.22%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IXUS and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	IXUS	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.22%	-38.71%	+2.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-13.21%	+1.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.04%	-35.93%	+5.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.22%	-38.71%	+2.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.29%	-10.08%	+1.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-13.11%	+5.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.41%	-0.48%

Volatility

IXUS vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) is 8.41%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 10.48%. This indicates that IXUS 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

	IXUS	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.41%	10.48%	-2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	14.67%	-3.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.37%	19.78%	-2.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.96%	17.91%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	19.84%	-2.86%