URNM vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

URNM (Sprott Uranium Miners ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URNM is a Uranium fund tracking the VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, URNM returned 12.61%/yr vs 7.15%/yr for IEMG. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. URNM charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

URNM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) 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, URNM achieves a -0.56% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 22.84% return.

URNM

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -9.26%
• YTD: -0.56%
• 6M: -0.53%
• 1Y: 30.38%
• 3Y*: 20.14%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: —

IEMG

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 3.87%
• YTD: 22.84%
• 6M: 25.59%
• 1Y: 44.83%
• 3Y*: 21.33%
• 5Y*: 7.15%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

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

URNM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	-0.56%	40.78%	-14.13%	57.80%	-11.86%	78.32%	68.36%	4.05%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	22.84%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	8.10%

Correlation

The correlation between URNM and IEMG is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.49

URNM vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URNM	IEMG
Energy	97.7%	3.3%
Basic Materials	2.3%	6.3%
Communication Services	-	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.8%
Financial Services	-	16.7%
Healthcare	-	3.2%
Industrials	-	8.0%
Real Estate	-	1.6%
Technology	-	42.1%
Utilities	-	1.9%

Return for Risk

URNM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

URNM

URNM Risk / Return Rank: 22
URNM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
URNM Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
URNM Omega Ratio Rank: 23
URNM Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
URNM Martin Ratio Rank: 20

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 73
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 76
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

URNM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) 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.

	URNM	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.60	2.03	-1.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	2.65	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.39	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	3.23	-2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.00	11.89	-9.89

URNM vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URNM Sharpe Ratio is 0.60, which is lower than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URNM 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

URNM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URNM drawdown since its inception was -50.78%, which is greater than IEMG's maximum drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URNM and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	URNM	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.78%	-38.71%	-12.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.72%	-13.21%	-25.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-50.78%	-17.21%	-33.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.78%	-35.75%	-15.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.02%	-3.98%	-31.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.09%	-12.95%	-5.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.78%	3.59%	+12.19%

Volatility

URNM vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

Sprott Uranium Miners ETF (URNM) has a higher volatility of 17.40% compared to iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) at 10.60%. This indicates that URNM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URNM	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.40%	10.60%	+6.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.84%	18.89%	+22.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.48%	21.08%	+31.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	48.58%	18.73%	+29.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.04%	20.17%	+26.87%

URNM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

URNM has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

URNM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

URNM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.19%, more than IEMG's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.24%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
URNM Sprott Uranium Miners ETF	3.19%	3.18%	3.18%	3.63%	0.00%	6.70%	2.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URNM and IEMG in my portfolio?

URNM and IEMG have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URNM or IEMG?

URNM has higher volatility (17.40%) compared to IEMG (10.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URNM dropped -50.78% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, URNM or IEMG?

On 5-year performance, URNM leads with 12.61% vs 7.15% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IEMG has been the lower-risk option at 10.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URNM or IEMG?

Over the 5-year period, URNM has performed better with a 12.61% return vs 7.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URNM or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for URNM.

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

URNM has the higher dividend yield at 3.19%, compared with 2.24% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between URNM and IEMG?

URNM is categorized as Uranium, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Diversified. URNM tracks VettaFi Global Uranium Miners Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: Sprott and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for URNM and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 0.60), 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.