VEM vs. IEMG

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

VEM (Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. VEM is actively managed, while IEMG is passively managed. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VEM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

VEM vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

VEM

• 1D: -1.75%
• 1M: -6.50%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

IEMG

• 1D: -2.18%
• 1M: -9.26%
• 6M: 0.40%
• YTD: 11.20%
• 1Y: 24.46%
• 3Y*: 15.78%
• 5Y*: 6.29%
• 10Y*: 8.26%
• ALL TIME*: 5.76%

*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	$816.86M	$1.11B	$1.08B
VEM Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	$1.18K	$2.76K	$6.90K

VEM vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
VEM Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	2.66%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VEM and IEMG is 0.97 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 4, 2026	0.97

VEM vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEM	IEMG
Technology	38.5%	43.6%
Financial Services	22.3%	17.3%
Industrials	7.5%	7.7%
Basic Materials	7.3%	5.8%
Energy	5.5%	3.0%
Consumer Cyclical	2.9%	7.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	2.8%
Communication Services	1.8%	5.6%
Utilities	1.1%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.0%	1.5%
Healthcare	-	3.2%

Return for Risk

VEM vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEM

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 45
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

VEM vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (VEM) 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.

	VEM	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.05	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	1.49	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.21	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	1.78	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.59	—

Drawdowns

VEM vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEM drawdown since its inception was -13.55%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEM and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEM	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.55%	-38.71%	+25.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-13.78%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.21%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.26%	-13.78%	+2.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.52%	-12.90%	+8.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.38%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VEM	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.12%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	21.41%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.70%	23.41%	+7.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.70%	19.20%	+11.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.70%	20.28%	+10.42%

VEM vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEM vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

VEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.14%, less than IEMG's 2.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.42%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
VEM Virtus Emerging Markets Dividend ETF	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEM and IEMG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, VEM and IEMG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, VEM or IEMG?

On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEM or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for VEM.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.42%, compared with 2.14% for VEM.

What is the main difference between VEM and IEMG?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for VEM and 0.09% for IEMG.