SDEM vs. IEMG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

SDEM (Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - SDEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SDEM returned 4.40%/yr vs 8.84%/yr for IEMG. Their 0.79 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. SDEM charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

SDEM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) 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, SDEM achieves a 13.99% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 16.38% return. Over the past 10 years, SDEM has underperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 4.40%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively higher 8.84% annualized return.

SDEM

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: 4.50%
• 6M: 5.07%
• YTD: 13.99%
• 1Y: 28.41%
• 3Y*: 18.54%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: 4.40%
• ALL TIME*: 3.94%

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
SDEM Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF	$101.46K	$99.85K	$114.98K

SDEM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDEM Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF	13.99%	32.01%	4.02%	12.64%	-21.53%	2.11%	-11.13%	17.56%	-17.40%	16.57%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	16.38%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between SDEM and IEMG is 0.67, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 17, 2015	0.79

The correlation between SDEM and IEMG shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.79 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SDEM vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDEM	IEMG
Financial Services	27.7%	17.3%
Industrials	10.2%	7.7%
Real Estate	7.7%	1.5%
Utilities	7.2%	1.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	7.7%
Communication Services	5.5%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	2.8%
Basic Materials	5.2%	5.8%
Energy	3.6%	3.0%
Technology	2.5%	43.6%
Healthcare	1.9%	3.2%

Return for Risk

SDEM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDEM

SDEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
SDEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SDEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SDEM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
SDEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
SDEM Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

SDEM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) 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.

	SDEM	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	1.35	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	1.85	+1.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	2.33	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	7.16	+2.44

SDEM vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDEM 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

SDEM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDEM drawdown since its inception was -47.38%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDEM and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDEM	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.38%	-38.71%	-8.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.03%	-13.78%	+4.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.34%	-17.21%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.08%	-33.61%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.38%	-38.71%	-8.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-9.76%	+8.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.46%	-12.89%	-7.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	4.47%	-1.44%

Volatility

SDEM vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF (SDEM) is 3.94%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that SDEM 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

	SDEM	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	8.73%	-4.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	21.74%	-10.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.28%	23.71%	-9.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	19.27%	-1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.05%	20.32%	-1.27%

SDEM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDEM has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDEM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

SDEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%, more 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%
SDEM Global X MSCI SuperDividend Emerging Markets ETF	4.91%	5.27%	7.28%	7.50%	8.86%	8.14%	6.30%	6.47%	6.55%	5.01%	5.06%	6.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDEM and IEMG in my portfolio?

SDEM and IEMG have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDEM or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.73%) compared to SDEM (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDEM dropped -47.38% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, SDEM or IEMG?

On 10-year performance, IEMG leads with 8.84% vs 4.40% for SDEM. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SDEM has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SDEM or IEMG?

Over the 10-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 8.84% return vs 4.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SDEM or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.67% for SDEM.

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

SDEM has the higher dividend yield at 4.91%, compared with 2.32% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between SDEM and IEMG?

SDEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Top 50 Dividend, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.67% for SDEM and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 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.