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VGIT vs. EEM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGIT vs. EEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGIT returned 1.23%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for EEM. At a correlation of -0.16, they often move in opposite directions. VGIT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.

Performance

VGIT vs. EEM - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGIT achieves a -0.46% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 27.80% return. Over the past 10 years, VGIT has underperformed EEM with an annualized return of 1.23%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.93% annualized return.

VGIT

1D
-0.19%
1M
-0.16%
YTD
-0.46%
6M
-0.60%
1Y
3.54%
3Y*
3.40%
5Y*
0.05%
10Y*
1.23%

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)

VGIT vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VGIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF		-0.46%7.34%1.39%4.28%-10.53%-2.64%7.71%6.19%1.35%1.70%
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 VGIT and EEM is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.22

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.15

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.04

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009

-0.16

The correlation between VGIT and EEM shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with VGIT:
VGIT vs. BNDVGIT vs. IEFVGIT vs. VGLTVGIT vs. VTIPVGIT vs. GOVTVGIT vs. SCHRVGIT vs. VGsh
Often compared with EEM:
EEM vs. VWOEEM vs. SPYEEM vs. IEMGEEM vs. IS3N.DEEEM vs. VXUSEEM vs. EEMSEEM vs. SPEM

Return for Risk

VGIT vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGIT
VGIT Risk / Return Rank: 2727
Overall Rank
VGIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
VGIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 2626
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGIT Martin Ratio Rank: 2626
Martin Ratio Rank
EEM
EEM Risk / Return Rank: 8181
Overall Rank
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7979
Calmar Ratio Rank
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VGIT vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) 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.

VGITEEMDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.05

2.81

-1.76

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.59

3.62

-2.02

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.51

-0.33

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.25

4.15

-2.89

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

3.75

15.99

-12.23

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGIT vs. EEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the EEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGIT 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VGITEEMDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.05

2.81

-1.76

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.01

0.37

-0.36

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.27

0.49

-0.21

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.49

0.38

+0.11

Drawdowns

VGIT vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGIT drawdown since its inception was -16.05%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGIT and EEM.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGITEEMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-16.05%

-66.43%

+50.38%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.83%

-13.52%

+10.69%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.34%

-17.29%

+12.95%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.02%

-37.71%

+22.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-16.05%

-39.82%

+23.77%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.39%

-1.24%

-1.15%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.52%

-16.02%

+12.50%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.94%

3.50%

-2.56%

Volatility

VGIT vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) is 1.05%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 8.52%. This indicates that VGIT 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.

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Volatility by Period

VGITEEMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.05%

8.52%

-7.47%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.33%

17.42%

-15.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.38%

19.97%

-16.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.38%

18.91%

-13.53%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.50%

20.50%

-16.00%

VGIT vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGIT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGIT vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison

VGIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than EEM's 1.74% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
VGIT
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF		3.87%3.79%3.67%2.73%1.74%1.69%2.23%2.24%2.05%1.67%1.69%1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

VGIT and EEM have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EEM has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGIT dropped -16.05% vs EEM's -66.43%.

On 10-year performance, EEM leads with 9.93% vs 1.23% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, EEM has performed better with a 9.93% return vs 1.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.72% for EEM.

VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.87%, compared with 1.74% for EEM.

VGIT is categorized as Government Bonds, while EEM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VGIT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index, while EEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGIT and 0.72% for EEM.

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 1.05), 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.

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