TOBAX vs. EMB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TOBAX (Touchstone Active Bond Fund) and EMB (iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both funds - TOBAX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by Touchstone, while EMB is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the JPMorgan EMBI Global Core Index. Over the past 10 years, TOBAX returned 2.06%/yr vs 3.29%/yr for EMB. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TOBAX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for EMB.

Performance

TOBAX vs. EMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Active Bond Fund (TOBAX) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TOBAX achieves a 0.23% return, which is significantly lower than EMB's 1.80% return. Over the past 10 years, TOBAX has underperformed EMB with an annualized return of 2.06%, while EMB has yielded a comparatively higher 3.29% annualized return.

TOBAX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.23%
• 6M: 0.36%
• 1Y: 5.62%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: 2.06%

EMB

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 1.80%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 11.56%
• 3Y*: 9.74%
• 5Y*: 1.86%
• 10Y*: 3.29%

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

TOBAX vs. EMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TOBAX Touchstone Active Bond Fund	0.23%	7.66%	2.22%	6.38%	-14.20%	-1.34%	9.93%	10.11%	-1.94%	3.51%
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	1.80%	13.85%	5.54%	10.62%	-18.63%	-2.23%	5.42%	15.48%	-5.47%	10.28%

Correlation

The correlation between TOBAX and EMB is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2007	0.41

Over the past year, TOBAX and EMB have become more correlated (0.74) than their long-term average of 0.41, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

TOBAX vs. EMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

TOBAX

TOBAX Risk / Return Rank: 29
TOBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
TOBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
TOBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
TOBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
TOBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

EMB

EMB Risk / Return Rank: 61
EMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
EMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
EMB Omega Ratio Rank: 66
EMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
EMB Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

TOBAX vs. EMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Active Bond Fund (TOBAX) and iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB). 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.

	TOBAX	EMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.09	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.05	-0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.41	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.58	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.18	11.01	-4.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TOBAX vs. EMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TOBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the EMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TOBAX and EMB, 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

	TOBAX	EMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.09	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.19	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.33	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.44	+0.46

Drawdowns

TOBAX vs. EMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TOBAX drawdown since its inception was -19.73%, smaller than the maximum EMB drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TOBAX and EMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	TOBAX	EMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.73%	-34.70%	+14.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.88%	-4.51%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.12%	-7.95%	+1.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.73%	-28.74%	+9.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.73%	-28.74%	+9.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.47%	-0.37%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.43%	-5.06%	+2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.05%	-0.10%

Volatility

TOBAX vs. EMB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Touchstone Active Bond Fund (TOBAX) is 1.39%, while iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) has a volatility of 1.85%. This indicates that TOBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TOBAX	EMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	1.85%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.74%	4.52%	-1.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81%	5.56%	-1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.80%	9.75%	-3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.81%	9.96%	-5.15%

TOBAX vs. EMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

TOBAX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than EMB's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

TOBAX vs. EMB - Dividend Comparison

TOBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.02%, less than EMB's 5.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMB iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	5.06%	4.98%	5.46%	4.74%	5.04%	3.89%	3.88%	4.51%	5.64%	4.54%	4.83%	4.84%
TOBAX Touchstone Active Bond Fund	4.02%	3.52%	3.72%	3.63%	3.10%	2.24%	2.58%	2.59%	2.79%	2.29%	2.65%	2.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TOBAX and EMB in my portfolio?

TOBAX and EMB have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TOBAX or EMB?

EMB has higher volatility (1.85%) compared to TOBAX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TOBAX dropped -19.73% vs EMB's -34.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.55), 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.