REMG vs. EEMS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REMG (Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and EEMS (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. REMG is actively managed, while EEMS is passively managed. Over the past year, REMG returned 59.26% vs 29.38% for EEMS. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. REMG charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for EEMS.

Performance

REMG vs. EEMS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF (REMG) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF (EEMS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REMG achieves a 29.45% return, which is significantly higher than EEMS's 14.63% return.

REMG

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 29.45%
• 6M: 32.57%
• 1Y: 59.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

EEMS

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 16.52%
• 1Y: 29.38%
• 3Y*: 16.81%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: 9.29%

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

REMG vs. EEMS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
REMG Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF	29.45%	24.09%
EEMS iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF	14.63%	13.53%

Correlation

The correlation between REMG and EEMS is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2025	0.87

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

REMG vs. EEMS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REMG	EEMS
Technology	36.6%	22.7%
Financial Services	20.5%	11.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	9.6%
Industrials	7.7%	18.9%
Communication Services	6.3%	2.9%
Basic Materials	6.2%	9.3%
Energy	4.1%	2.4%
Healthcare	2.7%	9.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.7%	5.2%
Real Estate	1.7%	5.9%
Utilities	1.4%	2.7%

Return for Risk

REMG vs. EEMS — Risk / Return Rank

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

REMG

REMG Risk / Return Rank: 84
REMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
REMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
REMG Omega Ratio Rank: 85
REMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
REMG Martin Ratio Rank: 84

EEMS

EEMS Risk / Return Rank: 51
EEMS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
EEMS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
EEMS Omega Ratio Rank: 49
EEMS Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
EEMS Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

REMG vs. EEMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF (REMG) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF (EEMS). 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.

	REMG	EEMS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	1.71	+1.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.31	+1.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.31	+0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.21	2.72	+1.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.07	9.56	+7.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REMG vs. EEMS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REMG Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is higher than the EEMS Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REMG and EEMS, 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

	REMG	EEMS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	1.71	+1.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.43	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.93	0.32	+2.61

Drawdowns

REMG vs. EEMS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REMG drawdown since its inception was -14.13%, smaller than the maximum EEMS drawdown of -48.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REMG and EEMS.

Drawdown Indicators

	REMG	EEMS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.13%	-48.89%	+34.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.13%	-10.87%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.71%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.07%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-48.89%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-2.41%	+1.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-10.50%	+8.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	3.08%	+0.40%

Volatility

REMG vs. EEMS - Volatility Comparison

Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF (REMG) has a higher volatility of 8.89% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF (EEMS) at 7.07%. This indicates that REMG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEMS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REMG	EEMS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.89%	7.07%	+1.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.92%	14.90%	+3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.66%	17.30%	+3.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	16.06%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.62%	17.99%	+2.63%

REMG vs. EEMS - Expense Ratio Comparison

REMG has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than EEMS's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

REMG vs. EEMS - Dividend Comparison

REMG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than EEMS's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEMS iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF	2.69%	3.09%	2.60%	2.69%	0.89%	3.56%	2.14%	2.64%	3.06%	2.47%	2.51%	2.33%
REMG Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.06%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REMG and EEMS in my portfolio?

REMG and EEMS have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REMG or EEMS?

REMG has higher volatility (8.89%) compared to EEMS (7.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REMG dropped -14.13% vs EEMS's -48.89%.

Which ETF is better, REMG or EEMS?

On 1-year performance, REMG leads with 59.26% vs 29.38% for EEMS. On fees, REMG is cheaper at 0.64% per year. On volatility, EEMS has been the lower-risk option at 7.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REMG or EEMS?

Over the 1-year period, REMG has performed better with a 59.26% return vs 29.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REMG or EEMS?

REMG is cheaper with a 0.64% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for EEMS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REMG or EEMS?

EEMS has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 1.06% for REMG.

What is the main difference between REMG and EEMS?

They also come from different issuers: Russell and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for REMG and 0.73% for EEMS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 1.71), 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.