OAEM vs. IEMG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

OAEM (OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. OAEM is actively managed, while IEMG is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, OAEM returned 18.13%/yr vs 18.00%/yr for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OAEM charges 1.25%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

OAEM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, OAEM achieves a 26.54% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 16.38% return.

OAEM

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -2.87%
• 6M: 13.83%
• YTD: 26.54%
• 1Y: 43.91%
• 3Y*: 18.13%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.43%

IEMG

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -2.79%
• 6M: 7.82%
• YTD: 16.38%
• 1Y: 32.88%
• 3Y*: 18.00%
• 5Y*: 7.26%
• 10Y*: 8.84%
• ALL TIME*: 6.11%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	$833.06M	$972.69M	$1.09B
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	$452.20K	$547.88K	$1.41M

OAEM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	26.54%	26.67%	0.43%	17.97%	1.40%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	16.38%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-0.31%

Correlation

The correlation between OAEM and IEMG is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2022	0.87

The correlation between OAEM and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

OAEM vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OAEM	IEMG
Technology	45.0%	43.6%
Industrials	15.8%	7.7%
Financial Services	15.7%	17.3%
Basic Materials	7.1%	5.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.1%	7.7%
Real Estate	3.9%	1.5%
Energy	3.1%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	2.8%
Communication Services	1.3%	5.6%
Utilities	0.9%	1.9%
Healthcare	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

OAEM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

OAEM

OAEM Risk / Return Rank: 70
OAEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
OAEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
OAEM Omega Ratio Rank: 68
OAEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
OAEM Martin Ratio Rank: 74

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 60
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

OAEM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG). 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.

	OAEM	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	1.35	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	1.85	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.26	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	2.33	+0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	7.16	+2.09

OAEM vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OAEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is comparable to the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OAEM and IEMG, 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

OAEM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OAEM drawdown since its inception was -17.05%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OAEM and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	OAEM	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.05%	-38.71%	+21.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.09%	-13.78%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.05%	-17.21%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.37%	-9.76%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.98%	-12.89%	+8.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.64%	4.47%	+0.17%

Volatility

OAEM vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF (OAEM) has a higher volatility of 10.55% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 8.73%. This indicates that OAEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	OAEM	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.55%	8.73%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.40%	21.74%	+3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.41%	23.71%	+3.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.93%	19.27%	+1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.93%	20.32%	+0.61%

OAEM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

OAEM has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

OAEM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

OAEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than IEMG's 2.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.32%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
OAEM OneAscent Emerging Markets ETF	0.61%	0.77%	0.91%	1.63%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both OAEM and IEMG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, OAEM and IEMG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, OAEM or IEMG?

OAEM has higher volatility (10.55%) compared to IEMG (8.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OAEM dropped -17.05% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, OAEM or IEMG?

On 3-year performance, OAEM leads with 18.13% vs 18.00% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 8.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OAEM or IEMG?

Over the 3-year period, OAEM has performed better with a 18.13% return vs 18.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OAEM or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.25% for OAEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, OAEM or IEMG?

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.32%, compared with 0.61% for OAEM.

What is the main difference between OAEM and IEMG?

They also come from different issuers: Oneascent and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.25% for OAEM and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

OAEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.35), 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.