LDEM vs. LCTU

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

LDEM (iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF) and LCTU (BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness 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 LCTU is a ESG fund actively managed by BlackRock. LDEM is passively managed, while LCTU is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, LDEM returned 2.60%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for LCTU. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LDEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for LCTU.

Performance

LDEM vs. LCTU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LDEM achieves a 8.26% return, which is significantly lower than LCTU's 9.23% return.

LDEM

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: 8.26%
• 6M: 9.66%
• 1Y: 24.07%
• 3Y*: 13.85%
• 5Y*: 2.60%
• 10Y*: —

LCTU

• 1D: 1.73%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.23%
• 6M: 9.49%
• 1Y: 25.98%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

LDEM vs. LCTU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	8.26%	32.49%	5.87%	6.49%	-22.46%	-6.83%
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	9.23%	16.96%	24.00%	25.38%	-20.02%	17.74%

Correlation

The correlation between LDEM and LCTU is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2021	0.59

The correlation between LDEM and LCTU shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.70 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

LDEM vs. LCTU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	LDEM	LCTU
Technology	25.9%	37.8%
Financial Services	24.7%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.6%	10.3%
Communication Services	10.6%	9.9%
Basic Materials	6.4%	1.9%
Industrials	5.5%	8.3%
Energy	4.2%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	4.5%
Healthcare	2.6%	8.6%
Utilities	1.9%	2.3%
Real Estate	1.4%	2.2%

Return for Risk

LDEM vs. LCTU — Risk / Return Rank

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

LDEM

LDEM Risk / Return Rank: 39
LDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
LDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
LDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
LDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
LDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 39

LCTU

LCTU Risk / Return Rank: 66
LCTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
LCTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
LCTU Omega Ratio Rank: 66
LCTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
LCTU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. LCTU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) and BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU). 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	LCTU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.05	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.80	-0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	2.78	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.76	12.10	-6.34

LDEM vs. LCTU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LDEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the LCTU Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LDEM and LCTU, 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. LCTU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LDEM drawdown since its inception was -40.82%, which is greater than LCTU's maximum drawdown of -25.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LDEM and LCTU.

Drawdown Indicators

	LDEM	LCTU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.82%	-25.93%	-14.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.21%	-9.38%	-3.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.12%	-19.83%	+4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.17%	-25.93%	-13.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.72%	-0.57%	-2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.30%	-6.29%	-11.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	2.15%	+2.04%

Volatility

LDEM vs. LCTU - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF (LDEM) has a higher volatility of 8.65% compared to BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF (LCTU) at 4.49%. This indicates that LDEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LCTU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LDEM	LCTU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.65%	4.49%	+4.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.64%	10.05%	+5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.96%	12.76%	+6.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.34%	17.23%	+2.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.87%	17.04%	+3.83%

LDEM vs. LCTU - Expense Ratio Comparison

LDEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than LCTU's 0.15% expense ratio. However, 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. LCTU - Dividend Comparison

LDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, more than LCTU's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
LCTU BlackRock U.S. Carbon Transition Readiness ETF	1.15%	1.02%	1.27%	1.46%	1.63%	2.20%	0.00%
LDEM iShares ESG MSCI EM Leaders ETF	3.83%	3.26%	2.64%	3.20%	4.93%	1.82%	1.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LDEM and LCTU in my portfolio?

LDEM and LCTU have a correlation of 0.70, 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 LCTU?

LDEM has higher volatility (8.65%) compared to LCTU (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LDEM dropped -40.82% vs LCTU's -25.93%.

Which ETF is better, LDEM or LCTU?

On 5-year performance, LCTU leads with 12.39% vs 2.60% for LDEM. On fees, LCTU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LCTU has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LDEM or LCTU?

Over the 5-year period, LCTU has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 2.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LDEM or LCTU?

LCTU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.16% for LDEM.

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

LDEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.83%, compared with 1.15% for LCTU.

What is the main difference between LDEM and LCTU?

LDEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while LCTU is ESG. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BlackRock. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for LDEM and 0.15% for LCTU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LCTU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.28), 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.