MSD vs. EMB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MSD (Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.) is a stock, while EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) is Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index. Over the past 10 years, MSD returned 5.37%/yr vs 3.33%/yr for EMB. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MSD vs. EMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (MSD) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSD achieves a 0.49% return, which is significantly lower than EMB's 2.18% return. Over the past 10 years, MSD has outperformed EMB with an annualized return of 5.37%, while EMB has yielded a comparatively lower 3.33% annualized return.

MSD

• 1D: 0.41%
• 1M: -2.28%
• YTD: 0.49%
• 6M: 2.69%
• 1Y: 2.94%
• 3Y*: 16.04%
• 5Y*: 4.22%
• 10Y*: 5.37%

EMB

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.15%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.44%
• 1Y: 12.34%
• 3Y*: 9.87%
• 5Y*: 2.07%
• 10Y*: 3.33%

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

MSD vs. EMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSD Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.	0.49%	5.58%	24.92%	19.14%	-22.10%	2.20%	0.73%	24.38%	-12.31%	16.33%
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	2.18%	13.85%	5.54%	10.62%	-18.63%	-2.23%	5.42%	15.48%	-5.47%	10.28%

Correlation

The correlation between MSD and EMB is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2007	0.45

The correlation between MSD and EMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSD vs. EMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSD

MSD Risk / Return Rank: 45
MSD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
MSD Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
MSD Omega Ratio Rank: 40
MSD Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
MSD Martin Ratio Rank: 50

EMB

EMB Risk / Return Rank: 66
EMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
EMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
EMB Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
EMB Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

MSD vs. EMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (MSD) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). 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.

	MSD	EMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	2.24	-1.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.46	3.26	-2.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.44	-0.38
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.30	2.73	-2.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.87	11.69	-10.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSD vs. EMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSD Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the EMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSD and EMB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MSD	EMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29	2.24	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.21	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.34	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.44	-0.09

Drawdowns

MSD vs. EMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSD drawdown since its inception was -58.51%, which is greater than EMB's maximum drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSD and EMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSD	EMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.51%	-34.70%	-23.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.59%	-4.51%	-6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.84%	-7.95%	-4.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.89%	-28.74%	-5.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.50%	-28.74%	-8.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.35%	0.00%	-6.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.30%	-5.06%	-6.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	1.05%	+2.63%

Volatility

MSD vs. EMB - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (MSD) has a higher volatility of 3.76% compared to iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) at 1.89%. This indicates that MSD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSD	EMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.76%	1.89%	+1.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.21%	4.52%	+3.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.23%	5.55%	+4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.04%	9.75%	+4.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.75%	9.96%	+4.79%

Dividends

MSD vs. EMB - Dividend Comparison

MSD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.93%, more than EMB's 5.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	5.04%	4.98%	5.46%	4.74%	5.04%	3.89%	3.88%	4.51%	5.64%	4.54%	4.83%	4.84%
MSD Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.	8.93%	9.88%	11.88%	10.90%	7.34%	4.99%	4.67%	5.37%	6.56%	5.81%	6.87%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSD and EMB in my portfolio?

MSD and EMB have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSD or EMB?

MSD has higher volatility (3.76%) compared to EMB (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSD dropped -58.51% vs EMB's -34.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 0.29), 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.