MEMX vs. IYZ
MEMX (Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF) and IYZ (iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Matthews, while IYZ is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Telecommunications Index. MEMX is actively managed, while IYZ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, MEMX returned 25.86%/yr vs 27.64%/yr for IYZ. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MEMX charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for IYZ.
Performance
MEMX vs. IYZ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MEMX achieves a 34.10% return, which is significantly higher than IYZ's 28.55% return.
MEMX
- 1D
- 3.31%
- 1M
- 8.49%
- YTD
- 34.10%
- 6M
- 43.05%
- 1Y
- 68.84%
- 3Y*
- 25.86%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
IYZ
- 1D
- -0.79%
- 1M
- 1.50%
- YTD
- 28.55%
- 6M
- 31.94%
- 1Y
- 57.01%
- 3Y*
- 27.64%
- 5Y*
- 7.66%
- 10Y*
- 5.71%
MEMX vs. IYZ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF | 34.10% | 35.88% | 5.50% | 11.33% |
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 28.55% | 29.28% | 20.53% | -2.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between MEMX and IYZ is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 11, 2023 | 0.50 |
The correlation between MEMX and IYZ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.46 to 0.50 - 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
MEMX vs. IYZ — Risk / Return Rank
MEMX
IYZ
MEMX vs. IYZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX) and iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ). 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.
| MEMX | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.53 | 1.53 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.71 | 6.65 | -1.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.06 | 26.10 | -8.04 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MEMX vs. IYZ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MEMX drawdown since its inception was -19.27%, smaller than the maximum IYZ drawdown of -77.11%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MEMX and IYZ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MEMX | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.27% | -77.11% | +57.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.70% | -8.62% | -6.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.27% | -13.85% | -5.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -39.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -39.74% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.20% | -5.52% | +5.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.50% | -40.09% | +36.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.82% | 2.19% | +1.63% |
Volatility
MEMX vs. IYZ - Volatility Comparison
Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF (MEMX) has a higher volatility of 12.30% compared to iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF (IYZ) at 8.04%. This indicates that MEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MEMX | IYZ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.30% | 8.04% | +4.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.45% | 15.62% | +5.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.60% | 18.64% | +4.96% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.81% | 18.89% | -1.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.81% | 19.31% | -1.50% |
MEMX vs. IYZ - Expense Ratio Comparison
MEMX has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than IYZ's 0.42% expense ratio.
Dividends
MEMX vs. IYZ - Dividend Comparison
MEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%, more than IYZ's 1.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYZ iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF | 1.91% | 2.04% | 1.94% | 2.27% | 2.55% | 2.51% | 2.60% | 2.36% | 2.15% | 3.54% | 2.27% | 1.98% |
MEMX Matthews Emerging Markets Ex China Active ETF | 3.64% | 4.88% | 0.99% | 1.13% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MEMX and IYZ have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MEMX has higher volatility (12.30%) compared to IYZ (8.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MEMX dropped -19.27% vs IYZ's -77.11%.
On 3-year performance, IYZ leads with 27.64% vs 25.86% for MEMX. On fees, IYZ is cheaper at 0.42% per year. On volatility, IYZ has been the lower-risk option at 8.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, IYZ has performed better with a 27.64% return vs 25.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYZ is cheaper with a 0.42% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for MEMX.
MEMX has the higher dividend yield at 3.64%, compared with 1.91% for IYZ.
MEMX is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while IYZ is Communications Equities. They also come from different issuers: Matthews and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for MEMX and 0.42% for IYZ.
IYZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.08 vs 2.94), 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 MEMX and IYZ
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