RLY vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

RLY (SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RLY is a Hedge Fund fund actively managed by State Street, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). RLY is actively managed, while IEMG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RLY returned 8.25%/yr vs 9.88%/yr for IEMG. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RLY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

RLY vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) 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, RLY achieves a 14.36% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 18.97% return. Over the past 10 years, RLY has underperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 8.25%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively higher 9.88% annualized return.

RLY

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: 14.36%
• 6M: 16.24%
• 1Y: 28.00%
• 3Y*: 13.90%
• 5Y*: 9.85%
• 10Y*: 8.25%

IEMG

• 1D: 1.70%
• 1M: -3.66%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 20.80%
• 1Y: 40.80%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 6.57%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

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

RLY vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	14.36%	20.26%	2.53%	2.56%	7.86%	22.85%	-0.59%	15.63%	-11.72%	10.40%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	18.97%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between RLY and IEMG is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2012	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between RLY and IEMG has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RLY vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RLY	IEMG
Energy	30.1%	3.8%
Basic Materials	25.1%	6.9%
Industrials	16.5%	9.0%
Utilities	15.9%	2.2%
Real Estate	5.4%	1.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.3%
Consumer Cyclical	2.6%	9.5%
Healthcare	0.8%	3.7%
Financial Services	0.0%	18.4%
Communication Services	-	6.4%
Technology	-	35.0%

Return for Risk

RLY vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

RLY

RLY Risk / Return Rank: 91
RLY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Omega Ratio Rank: 89
RLY Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
RLY Martin Ratio Rank: 94

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 67
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

RLY vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) 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.

	RLY	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	1.99	+0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	2.58	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.38	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.16	3.10	+4.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.86	11.68	+14.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RLY vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RLY Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is higher than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RLY 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RLY	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	1.99	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.35	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.49	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.33	+0.03

Drawdowns

RLY vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RLY drawdown since its inception was -37.75%, roughly equal to the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RLY and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	RLY	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.75%	-38.71%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.93%	-13.21%	+9.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.08%	-17.21%	+7.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.94%	-35.75%	+16.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.17%	-38.71%	+4.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.93%	-7.00%	+3.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.45%	-12.97%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.09%	3.50%	-2.41%

Volatility

RLY vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) is 3.47%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 10.33%. This indicates that RLY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RLY	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.47%	10.33%	-6.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.46%	18.35%	-9.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.34%	20.62%	-10.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.57%	18.62%	-5.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.83%	20.14%	-6.31%

RLY vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

RLY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

RLY vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

RLY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than IEMG's 2.31% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.31%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
RLY SPDR SSgA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF	2.93%	3.24%	3.31%	3.71%	5.66%	12.15%	2.16%	3.45%	2.76%	1.85%	2.07%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RLY and IEMG in my portfolio?

RLY and IEMG have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RLY or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (10.33%) compared to RLY (3.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RLY dropped -37.75% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, RLY or IEMG?

On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 9.88% vs 8.25% for RLY. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, RLY has been the lower-risk option at 3.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RLY or IEMG?

Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 9.88% return vs 8.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RLY or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for RLY.

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

RLY has the higher dividend yield at 2.93%, compared with 2.31% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between RLY and IEMG?

RLY is categorized as Hedge Fund, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for RLY and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RLY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.99), 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.