VLUE vs. IEMG

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

VLUE (iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VLUE is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while IEMG is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VLUE returned 14.56%/yr vs 8.78%/yr for IEMG. Their 0.63 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VLUE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

VLUE vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) 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, VLUE achieves a 43.48% return, which is significantly higher than IEMG's 15.55% return. Over the past 10 years, VLUE has outperformed IEMG with an annualized return of 14.56%, while IEMG has yielded a comparatively lower 8.78% annualized return.

VLUE

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: -4.86%
• 6M: 35.25%
• YTD: 43.48%
• 1Y: 71.63%
• 3Y*: 29.42%
• 5Y*: 16.55%
• 10Y*: 14.56%
• ALL TIME*: 13.64%

IEMG

• 1D: -1.78%
• 1M: -6.23%
• 6M: 7.28%
• YTD: 15.55%
• 1Y: 28.48%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 6.77%
• 10Y*: 8.78%
• ALL TIME*: 6.06%

*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	$959.90M	$1.12B	$1.07B
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF	$165.60M	$255.80M	$278.61M

VLUE vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF	43.48%	32.67%	7.25%	14.26%	-14.17%	28.93%	-0.23%	27.20%	-11.13%	21.95%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	15.55%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	-19.98%	-0.64%	17.87%	17.81%	-14.92%	37.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VLUE and IEMG is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2013	0.63

The correlation between VLUE and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

VLUE vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VLUE	IEMG
Technology	43.1%	43.6%
Financial Services	10.6%	17.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.9%	7.7%
Communication Services	8.7%	5.6%
Industrials	7.9%	7.7%
Healthcare	7.8%	3.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	2.8%
Energy	2.8%	3.0%
Utilities	2.0%	1.9%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.5%
Basic Materials	1.2%	5.8%

Return for Risk

VLUE vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLUE

VLUE Risk / Return Rank: 97
VLUE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VLUE Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
VLUE Omega Ratio Rank: 96
VLUE Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
VLUE Martin Ratio Rank: 97

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 54
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VLUE vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) 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.

	VLUE	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.60	1.21	+2.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.66	1.69	+2.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.24	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.98	2.13	+5.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	27.87	6.72	+21.16

VLUE vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLUE Sharpe Ratio is 3.60, which is higher than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLUE 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

VLUE vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLUE drawdown since its inception was -39.47%, roughly equal to the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLUE and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLUE	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.47%	-38.71%	-0.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-13.21%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.89%	-17.21%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.12%	-33.61%	+6.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.47%	-38.71%	-0.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.86%	-10.41%	+5.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.99%	-12.90%	+6.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	4.19%	-1.61%

Volatility

VLUE vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is 7.20%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 7.86%. This indicates that VLUE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IEMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLUE	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	7.86%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.11%	21.27%	-4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.08%	23.23%	-3.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.29%	19.21%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.00%	20.26%	-0.26%

VLUE vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

VLUE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VLUE vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

VLUE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, less than IEMG's 2.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.33%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
VLUE iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF	1.44%	2.11%	2.73%	2.66%	3.18%	2.22%	2.42%	2.61%	2.70%	2.14%	2.07%	2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLUE and IEMG in my portfolio?

VLUE and IEMG have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLUE or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (7.86%) compared to VLUE (7.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLUE dropped -39.47% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, VLUE or IEMG?

On 10-year performance, VLUE leads with 14.56% vs 8.78% for IEMG. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VLUE has been the lower-risk option at 7.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VLUE or IEMG?

Over the 10-year period, VLUE has performed better with a 14.56% return vs 8.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VLUE or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VLUE.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.33%, compared with 1.44% for VLUE.

What is the main difference between VLUE and IEMG?

VLUE is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while IEMG is Emerging Markets Equities. VLUE tracks MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VLUE and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VLUE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.60 vs 1.21), 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.