LEMB vs. VEMY
LEMB (iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) and VEMY (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. LEMB is passively managed, while VEMY is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, LEMB returned 6.09%/yr vs 15.75%/yr for VEMY. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. LEMB charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for VEMY.
Performance
LEMB vs. VEMY - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, LEMB achieves a 1.19% return, which is significantly lower than VEMY's 5.89% 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%
VEMY
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- 1.68%
- YTD
- 5.89%
- 6M
- 6.65%
- 1Y
- 18.61%
- 3Y*
- 15.75%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
LEMB vs. VEMY - 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% | -0.15% |
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 5.89% | 15.27% | 13.48% | 14.45% | -1.08% |
Correlation
The correlation between LEMB and VEMY is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2022 | 0.51 |
The correlation between LEMB and VEMY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
LEMB vs. VEMY — Risk / Return Rank
LEMB
VEMY
LEMB vs. VEMY - 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 Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY). 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 | VEMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.64 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.63 | -0.35 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.64 | 4.67 | -3.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.58 | 22.18 | -16.60 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| LEMB | VEMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.51 | 3.09 | -1.58 |
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 | 1.83 | -1.78 |
Drawdowns
LEMB vs. VEMY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum LEMB drawdown since its inception was -30.82%, which is greater than VEMY's maximum drawdown of -8.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LEMB and VEMY.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| LEMB | VEMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.82% | -8.77% | -22.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.00% | -4.00% | -2.00% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.09% | -6.57% | -3.52% |
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% | -0.17% | -4.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.74% | -1.30% | -11.44% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.76% | 0.84% | +0.92% |
Volatility
LEMB vs. VEMY - Volatility Comparison
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) has a higher volatility of 2.09% compared to Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) at 1.60%. This indicates that LEMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| LEMB | VEMY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.09% | 1.60% | +0.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.34% | 4.65% | +0.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.54% | 6.05% | +0.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.24% | 7.63% | +0.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.29% | 7.63% | +1.66% |
LEMB vs. VEMY - Expense Ratio Comparison
LEMB has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than VEMY's 0.58% expense ratio.
Dividends
LEMB vs. VEMY - Dividend Comparison
LEMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, less than VEMY's 8.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 8.38% | 8.89% | 10.28% | 9.55% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
LEMB and VEMY have a correlation of 0.49, 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 VEMY (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LEMB dropped -30.82% vs VEMY's -8.77%.
On 3-year performance, VEMY leads with 15.75% vs 6.09% for LEMB. On fees, LEMB is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, VEMY has been the lower-risk option at 1.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VEMY has performed better with a 15.75% 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 0.58% for VEMY.
VEMY has the higher dividend yield at 8.38%, compared with 2.41% for LEMB.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for LEMB and 0.58% for VEMY.
VEMY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 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.
Find the right allocation for LEMB and VEMY
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer