VEMY vs. BEMB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VEMY (Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and BEMB (Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF) are both Emerging Markets Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VEMY returned 15.52%/yr vs 8.77%/yr for BEMB. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEMY charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for BEMB.

Performance

VEMY vs. BEMB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) and Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEMY achieves a 5.93% return, which is significantly higher than BEMB's 1.45% return.

VEMY

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 5.93%
• 6M: 6.67%
• 1Y: 18.43%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BEMB

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.90%
• 1Y: 9.57%
• 3Y*: 8.77%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VEMY vs. BEMB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	5.93%	15.27%	13.48%	12.07%
BEMB Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	1.45%	12.27%	5.51%	8.88%

Correlation

The correlation between VEMY and BEMB is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2023	0.82

The correlation between VEMY and BEMB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEMY vs. BEMB — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEMY

VEMY Risk / Return Rank: 90
VEMY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VEMY Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VEMY Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VEMY Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VEMY Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BEMB

BEMB Risk / Return Rank: 67
BEMB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
BEMB Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BEMB Omega Ratio Rank: 75
BEMB Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
BEMB Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

VEMY vs. BEMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) and Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB). 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.

	VEMY	BEMB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.26	+0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	3.30	+1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.44	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.62	2.62	+2.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.97	11.29	+10.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEMY vs. BEMB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEMY Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is higher than the BEMB Sharpe Ratio of 2.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEMY and BEMB, 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

	VEMY	BEMB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.26	+0.80
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.83	1.46	+0.36

Drawdowns

VEMY vs. BEMB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEMY drawdown since its inception was -8.77%, which is greater than BEMB's maximum drawdown of -6.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEMY and BEMB.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEMY	BEMB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.77%	-6.17%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.00%	-3.67%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.57%	-6.17%	-0.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.16%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.30%	-0.94%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.85%	-0.01%

Volatility

VEMY vs. BEMB - Volatility Comparison

Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (VEMY) has a higher volatility of 1.54% compared to Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) at 1.46%. This indicates that VEMY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BEMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEMY	BEMB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.54%	1.46%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.63%	3.46%	+1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.05%	4.26%	+1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.63%	5.88%	+1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.63%	5.88%	+1.75%

VEMY vs. BEMB - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEMY has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than BEMB's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEMY vs. BEMB - Dividend Comparison

VEMY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.37%, more than BEMB's 6.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BEMB Ishares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF	6.87%	6.88%	6.31%	5.46%
VEMY Virtus Stone Harbor Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	8.37%	8.89%	10.28%	9.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEMY and BEMB in my portfolio?

VEMY and BEMB have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEMY or BEMB?

VEMY has higher volatility (1.54%) compared to BEMB (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEMY dropped -8.77% vs BEMB's -6.17%.

Which ETF is better, VEMY or BEMB?

On 3-year performance, VEMY leads with 15.52% vs 8.77% for BEMB. On fees, BEMB is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEMY or BEMB?

Over the 3-year period, VEMY has performed better with a 15.52% return vs 8.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEMY or BEMB?

BEMB is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for VEMY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VEMY or BEMB?

VEMY has the higher dividend yield at 8.37%, compared with 6.87% for BEMB.

What is the main difference between VEMY and BEMB?

They also come from different issuers: Virtus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for VEMY and 0.18% for BEMB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.26), 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.