URTH vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.19%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for EEM. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

URTH vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URTH achieves a 10.16% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 27.80% return. Over the past 10 years, URTH has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 13.19%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.93% annualized return.

URTH

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 26.06%
• 3Y*: 20.81%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

EEM

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 9.08%
• YTD: 27.80%
• 6M: 30.51%
• 1Y: 55.80%
• 3Y*: 23.95%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 9.93%

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

URTH vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	10.16%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	27.80%	33.98%	6.49%	8.95%	-20.56%	-3.63%	17.02%	18.22%	-15.31%	37.26%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and EEM is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2012	0.67

The correlation between URTH and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (all time) to 0.78 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URTH vs. EEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	EEM
Technology	28.3%	43.6%
Financial Services	15.8%	17.5%
Industrials	11.3%	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	8.1%
Communication Services	9.3%	5.7%
Healthcare	8.8%	2.5%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	2.7%
Energy	4.2%	3.3%
Basic Materials	3.3%	6.1%
Utilities	2.7%	2.0%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.9%

Return for Risk

URTH vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 63
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 69

EEM

EEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

URTH vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.

	URTH	EEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.81	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.62	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.51	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	4.15	-1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	15.99	-2.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URTH vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH and EEM, 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

	URTH	EEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.81	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.37	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.49	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.38	+0.35

Drawdowns

URTH vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and EEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTH	EEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-66.43%	+32.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-13.52%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.94%	-17.29%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.05%	-37.71%	+11.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-39.82%	+5.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-1.24%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-16.02%	+11.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	3.50%	-1.51%

Volatility

URTH vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is 3.27%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that URTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URTH	EEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.27%	8.52%	-5.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	17.42%	-8.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	19.97%	-7.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	18.91%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	20.50%	-3.23%

URTH vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

URTH vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than EEM's 1.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	1.74%	2.22%	2.43%	2.63%	2.50%	1.99%	1.45%	2.76%	2.24%	1.89%	1.89%	2.49%
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	1.35%	1.48%	1.47%	1.70%	1.68%	1.50%	1.52%	2.16%	2.30%	1.88%	2.15%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTH and EEM in my portfolio?

URTH and EEM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTH or EEM?

EEM has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to URTH (3.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs EEM's -66.43%.

Which ETF is better, URTH or EEM?

On 10-year performance, URTH leads with 13.19% vs 9.93% for EEM. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTH or EEM?

Over the 10-year period, URTH has performed better with a 13.19% return vs 9.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTH or EEM?

URTH is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URTH or EEM?

EEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.74%, compared with 1.35% for URTH.

What is the main difference between URTH and EEM?

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.72% for EEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.17), 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.