WCME vs. IEMG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

WCME (First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - WCME tracks the Actively Managed while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, WCME returned 18.78% vs 33.73% for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. WCME charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

WCME vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) 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, WCME achieves a 7.80% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 17.13% return.

WCME

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -2.58%
• 6M: -1.23%
• YTD: 7.80%
• 1Y: 18.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.56%

IEMG

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: -2.17%
• 6M: 8.11%
• YTD: 17.13%
• 1Y: 33.73%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 7.08%
• 10Y*: 8.70%
• ALL TIME*: 6.15%

*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	$832.99M	$964.62M	$1.10B
WCME First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF	$140.21K	$238.13K	$188.93K

WCME vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
WCME First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF	7.80%	35.19%	-10.72%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	17.13%	32.56%	-8.85%

Correlation

The correlation between WCME and IEMG is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 7, 2024	0.90

The correlation between WCME and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

WCME vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WCME	IEMG
Technology	39.9%	43.6%
Financial Services	13.7%	17.3%
Industrials	11.0%	7.7%
Healthcare	10.2%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	7.7%
Basic Materials	5.7%	5.8%
Energy	3.8%	3.0%
Communication Services	3.1%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	2.8%
Utilities	2.7%	1.9%
Real Estate	-	1.5%

Return for Risk

WCME vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

WCME

WCME Risk / Return Rank: 31
WCME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
WCME Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
WCME Omega Ratio Rank: 30
WCME Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
WCME Martin Ratio Rank: 35

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 62
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 63
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

WCME vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) 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.

	WCME	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	1.43	-0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.18	1.94	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.27	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.21	2.46	-1.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.67	7.50	-3.83

WCME vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WCME Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WCME 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

WCME vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WCME drawdown since its inception was -15.64%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WCME and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	WCME	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.64%	-38.71%	+23.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.64%	-13.78%	-1.86%
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	-8.40%	-9.17%	+0.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.88%	-12.89%	+9.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	4.51%	+0.62%

Volatility

WCME vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF (WCME) is 8.27%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 8.73%. This indicates that WCME 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

	WCME	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.27%	8.73%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.88%	21.65%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.82%	23.74%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.29%	19.27%	+2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.29%	20.32%	+0.97%

WCME vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

WCME has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

WCME vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

WCME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than IEMG's 2.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.30%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
WCME First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF	0.36%	0.68%	0.53%	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 WCME and IEMG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, WCME 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 is riskier, WCME or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.73%) compared to WCME (8.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WCME dropped -15.64% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, WCME or IEMG?

On 1-year performance, IEMG leads with 33.73% vs 18.78% for WCME. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, WCME has been the lower-risk option at 8.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WCME or IEMG?

Over the 1-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 33.73% return vs 18.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WCME or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for WCME.

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

IEMG has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 0.36% for WCME.

What is the main difference between WCME and IEMG?

WCME tracks Actively Managed, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for WCME and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.79), 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.