PELBX vs. LEMB

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PELBX (PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund) and LEMB (iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PELBX returned 4.55%/yr vs 1.42%/yr for LEMB. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PELBX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for LEMB.

Performance

PELBX vs. LEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PELBX achieves a 1.28% return, which is significantly lower than LEMB's 1.77% return. Over the past 10 years, PELBX has outperformed LEMB with an annualized return of 4.55%, while LEMB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.42% annualized return.

PELBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 1.28%
• 6M: 3.15%
• 1Y: 12.57%
• 3Y*: 10.17%
• 5Y*: 4.32%
• 10Y*: 4.55%

LEMB

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.23%
• YTD: 1.77%
• 6M: 3.21%
• 1Y: 10.13%
• 3Y*: 6.29%
• 5Y*: 0.86%
• 10Y*: 1.42%

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

PELBX vs. LEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PELBX PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund	1.28%	22.96%	-0.75%	15.11%	-7.36%	-8.13%	2.16%	17.23%	-7.49%	15.44%
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF	1.77%	18.02%	-1.72%	7.23%	-10.74%	-9.92%	3.10%	6.40%	-7.49%	12.49%

Correlation

The correlation between PELBX and LEMB is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2011	0.79

The correlation between PELBX and LEMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PELBX vs. LEMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

PELBX

PELBX Risk / Return Rank: 37
PELBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
PELBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PELBX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PELBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
PELBX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

LEMB

LEMB Risk / Return Rank: 41
LEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
LEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
LEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 47
LEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
LEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

PELBX vs. LEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX) and iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB). 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.

	PELBX	LEMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.56	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.18	+0.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.30	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.78	+0.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.57	6.09	+0.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PELBX vs. LEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PELBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the LEMB Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PELBX and LEMB, 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

	PELBX	LEMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	1.56	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.10	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.15	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.05	+0.33

Drawdowns

PELBX vs. LEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PELBX drawdown since its inception was -36.17%, which is greater than LEMB's maximum drawdown of -30.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PELBX and LEMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	PELBX	LEMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.17%	-30.82%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.33%	-6.00%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.49%	-10.09%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.01%	-25.29%	+2.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.89%	-29.09%	+4.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.35%	-4.32%	+1.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.23%	-12.74%	+1.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	1.76%	+0.35%

Volatility

PELBX vs. LEMB - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund (PELBX) has a higher volatility of 2.40% compared to iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF (LEMB) at 2.07%. This indicates that PELBX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PELBX	LEMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.40%	2.07%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.11%	5.31%	+0.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.14%	6.53%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.05%	8.24%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.93%	9.29%	-0.36%

PELBX vs. LEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

PELBX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than LEMB's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

PELBX vs. LEMB - Dividend Comparison

PELBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.08%, more than LEMB's 2.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LEMB iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF	2.40%	2.44%	0.00%	1.34%	0.86%	3.89%	0.00%	4.39%	3.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.64%
PELBX PIMCO Emerging Markets Local Currency and Bond Fund	7.08%	6.71%	7.08%	4.81%	3.24%	4.87%	4.87%	6.14%	6.88%	5.84%	5.69%	5.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PELBX and LEMB in my portfolio?

PELBX and LEMB have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PELBX or LEMB?

PELBX has higher volatility (2.40%) compared to LEMB (2.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PELBX dropped -36.17% vs LEMB's -30.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PELBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.56), 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.