LDEM vs. EMXF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF).

LDEM and EMXF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. LDEM is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index. It was launched on Feb 5, 2020. EMXF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. It was launched on Oct 6, 2020. Both LDEM and EMXF 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

LDEM vs. EMXF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

LDEM vs. EMXF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	-0.25%	32.49%	5.87%	6.49%	-22.46%	-2.03%	13.46%
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	2.81%	29.40%	8.03%	6.63%	-18.99%	4.45%	15.32%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDEM achieves a -0.25% return, which is significantly lower than EMXF's 2.81% return.

LDEM

• 1D: 3.27%
• 1M: -7.84%
• YTD: -0.25%
• 6M: 0.54%
• 1Y: 23.06%
• 3Y*: 11.73%
• 5Y*: 1.19%
• 10Y*: —

EMXF

• 1D: 3.35%
• 1M: -8.16%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 8.14%
• 1Y: 29.67%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 4.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

LDEM vs. EMXF - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both LDEM and EMXF have an expense ratio of 0.16%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

LDEM

iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF

EMXF

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

Return for Risk

LDEM vs. EMXF — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 68
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 67
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
LDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 65

EMXF

EMXF Risk / Return Rank: 83
EMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
EMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

LDEM vs. EMXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF). 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.

	LDEM	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.61	-0.41
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.71	2.19	-0.47
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.31	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	2.38	-0.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.40	9.33	-2.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LDEM vs. EMXF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the EMXF Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDEM and EMXF, 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

	LDEM	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	1.61	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	0.20	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.36	-0.14

Correlation

The correlation between LDEM and EMXF is 0.85, 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

LDEM vs. EMXF - Dividend Comparison

LDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, less than EMXF's 3.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	3.26%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	3.34%	3.43%	2.92%	2.25%	2.42%	1.87%	0.41%

Drawdowns

LDEM vs. EMXF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDEM drawdown since its inception was -40.82%, which is greater than EMXF's maximum drawdown of -33.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDEM and EMXF.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDEM	EMXF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.82%	-33.13%	-7.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-12.53%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.17%	-32.89%	-6.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.37%	-9.60%	-0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.72%	-12.34%	-5.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.65%	3.19%	+0.46%

Volatility

LDEM vs. EMXF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) is 8.07%, while iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF) has a volatility of 9.71%. This indicates that LDEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDEM	EMXF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.07%	9.71%	-1.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.06%	13.59%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.39%	18.56%	+0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.95%	21.82%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.76%	21.61%	-0.85%