LEMB vs. GEMD
LEMB (iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) and GEMD (Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds - LEMB tracks the J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global 15 cap 4.5 floor while GEMD tracks the FTSE Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets USD Bond Index - Benchmark TR Net. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, LEMB returned 6.09%/yr vs 8.37%/yr for GEMD. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEMB charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for GEMD.
Performance
LEMB vs. GEMD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LEMB achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly lower than GEMD's 1.64% return.
LEMB
- 1D
- -0.57%
- 1M
- 1.13%
- YTD
- 1.19%
- 6M
- 2.18%
- 1Y
- 9.81%
- 3Y*
- 6.09%
- 5Y*
- 0.59%
- 10Y*
- 1.37%
GEMD
- 1D
- -0.41%
- 1M
- 1.17%
- YTD
- 1.64%
- 6M
- 1.49%
- 1Y
- 11.06%
- 3Y*
- 8.37%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
LEMB vs. GEMD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 1.19% | 18.02% | -1.72% | 7.23% | -12.67% |
GEMD Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 1.64% | 13.67% | 3.31% | 8.51% | -15.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between LEMB and GEMD is 0.58, 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 | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022 | 0.62 |
The correlation between LEMB and GEMD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
LEMB vs. GEMD — Risk / Return Rank
LEMB
GEMD
LEMB vs. GEMD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) and Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (GEMD). 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.
| LEMB | GEMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.51 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.84 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.38 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.64 | 2.39 | -0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.58 | 10.09 | -4.50 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| LEMB | GEMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.51 | 2.01 | -0.51 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.05 | 0.21 | -0.16 |
Drawdowns
LEMB vs. GEMD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LEMB drawdown since its inception was -30.82%, which is greater than GEMD's maximum drawdown of -24.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEMB and GEMD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| LEMB | GEMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.82% | -24.56% | -6.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.00% | -4.64% | -1.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.09% | -7.69% | -2.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.29% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.09% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.87% | -0.43% | -4.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.74% | -8.19% | -4.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.76% | 1.10% | +0.66% |
Volatility
LEMB vs. GEMD - Volatility Comparison
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) has a higher volatility of 2.09% compared to Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF (GEMD) at 1.84%. This indicates that LEMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GEMD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| LEMB | GEMD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.09% | 1.84% | +0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.34% | 4.40% | +0.94% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.54% | 5.53% | +1.01% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.24% | 9.95% | -1.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.29% | 9.95% | -0.66% |
LEMB vs. GEMD - Expense Ratio Comparison
LEMB has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than GEMD's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
LEMB vs. GEMD - Dividend Comparison
LEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, less than GEMD's 5.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GEMD Goldman Sachs Access Emerging Markets USD Bond ETF | 5.69% | 6.32% | 5.79% | 5.70% | 5.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF | 2.41% | 2.44% | 0.00% | 1.34% | 0.86% | 3.89% | 0.00% | 4.39% | 3.46% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.64% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LEMB and GEMD have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
LEMB has higher volatility (2.09%) compared to GEMD (1.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEMB dropped -30.82% vs GEMD's -24.56%.
On 3-year performance, GEMD leads with 8.37% vs 6.09% for LEMB. On fees, LEMB is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, GEMD has been the lower-risk option at 1.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, GEMD has performed better with a 8.37% return vs 6.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
LEMB is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for GEMD.
GEMD has the higher dividend yield at 5.69%, compared with 2.41% for LEMB.
LEMB tracks J.P. Morgan GBI-EM Global 15 cap 4.5 floor, while GEMD tracks FTSE Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets USD Bond Index - Benchmark TR Net. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for LEMB and 0.39% for GEMD.
GEMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.51), 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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