LDEM vs. IBIT

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

LDEM (iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF) and IBIT (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LDEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while IBIT is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, LDEM returned 11.14% vs -46.35% for IBIT. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LDEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IBIT.

Performance

LDEM vs. IBIT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDEM achieves a 2.37% return, which is significantly higher than IBIT's -26.71% return.

LDEM

• 1D: -1.51%
• 1M: -4.09%
• 6M: -3.02%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 1Y: 11.14%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: 1.51%
• 10Y*: —

IBIT

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -2.10%
• 6M: -32.61%
• YTD: -26.71%
• 1Y: -46.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

LDEM vs. IBIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	2.37%	32.49%	9.56%
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	-26.71%	-6.41%	89.87%

Correlation

The correlation between LDEM and IBIT 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2024	0.34

Return for Risk

LDEM vs. IBIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 22
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 21
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
LDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 24

IBIT

IBIT Risk / Return Rank: 1
IBIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
IBIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
IBIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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. IBIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	LDEM	IBIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.59	-1.05	+1.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	-1.59	+2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	0.82	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.85	-0.87	+1.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.45	-1.40	+3.85

LDEM vs. IBIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDEM Sharpe Ratio is 0.59, which is higher than the IBIT Sharpe Ratio of -1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDEM and IBIT, 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

LDEM vs. IBIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDEM drawdown since its inception was -40.82%, smaller than the maximum IBIT drawdown of -53.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDEM and IBIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDEM	IBIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.82%	-53.30%	+12.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-53.30%	+40.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.26%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.02%	-48.95%	+40.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.15%	-17.71%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.56%	33.14%	-28.58%

Volatility

LDEM vs. IBIT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) is 7.08%, while iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has a volatility of 10.89%. This indicates that LDEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IBIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDEM	IBIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.08%	10.89%	-3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.71%	34.83%	-18.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.08%	44.38%	-25.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.51%	49.92%	-30.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.92%	49.92%	-29.00%

LDEM vs. IBIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than IBIT's 0.25% 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

LDEM vs. IBIT - Dividend Comparison

LDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, while IBIT has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IBIT iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	3.00%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDEM and IBIT in my portfolio?

LDEM and IBIT 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.

Which is riskier, LDEM or IBIT?

IBIT has higher volatility (10.89%) compared to LDEM (7.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDEM dropped -40.82% vs IBIT's -53.30%.

Which ETF is better, LDEM or IBIT?

On 1-year performance, LDEM leads with 11.14% vs -46.35% for IBIT. On fees, LDEM is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, LDEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.08%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDEM or IBIT?

Over the 1-year period, LDEM has performed better with a 11.14% return vs -46.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDEM or IBIT?

LDEM is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IBIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LDEM or IBIT?

LDEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.00%, compared with 0.00% for IBIT.

What is the main difference between LDEM and IBIT?

LDEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while IBIT is Cryptocurrency. LDEM tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Leaders 5% Issuer Capped Index, while IBIT tracks CME CF Bitcoin Reference Rate - New York Variant. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for LDEM and 0.25% for IBIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LDEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.59 vs -1.05), 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.