XC vs. IEMG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XC (WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund) and IEMG (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds - XC tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Index - Benchmark TR Net while IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XC returned 9.87%/yr vs 23.55%/yr for IEMG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XC charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IEMG.

Performance

XC vs. IEMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) 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, XC achieves a -3.47% return, which is significantly lower than IEMG's 26.21% return.

XC

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: -1.76%
• YTD: -3.47%
• 6M: -2.10%
• 1Y: 8.33%
• 3Y*: 9.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IEMG

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 26.21%
• 6M: 28.63%
• 1Y: 52.58%
• 3Y*: 23.55%
• 5Y*: 7.58%
• 10Y*: 10.41%

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

XC vs. IEMG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XC WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund	-3.47%	18.19%	5.49%	21.31%	1.49%
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	26.21%	32.56%	6.50%	11.52%	4.07%

Correlation

The correlation between XC and IEMG is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2022	0.84

The correlation between XC and IEMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

XC vs. IEMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XC	IEMG
Financial Services	13.8%	18.4%
Basic Materials	7.0%	6.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.8%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	3.3%
Industrials	4.7%	9.0%
Communication Services	2.7%	6.4%
Energy	1.6%	3.8%
Utilities	1.3%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.3%	1.7%
Technology	1.2%	35.0%
Healthcare	0.7%	3.7%

Return for Risk

XC vs. IEMG — Risk / Return Rank

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

XC

XC Risk / Return Rank: 18
XC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
XC Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
XC Omega Ratio Rank: 17
XC Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
XC Martin Ratio Rank: 18

IEMG

IEMG Risk / Return Rank: 79
IEMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
IEMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Omega Ratio Rank: 81
IEMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
IEMG Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

XC vs. IEMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) 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.

	XC	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	2.72	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.91	3.53	-2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.50	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	4.00	-3.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.94	15.38	-13.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XC vs. IEMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XC Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is lower than the IEMG Sharpe Ratio of 2.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XC	IEMG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	2.72	-2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.52	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.35	+0.36

Drawdowns

XC vs. IEMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XC drawdown since its inception was -20.97%, smaller than the maximum IEMG drawdown of -38.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XC and IEMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	XC	IEMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.97%	-38.71%	+17.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.47%	-13.21%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.97%	-17.21%	-3.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.83%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.35%	-1.34%	-8.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.12%	-12.97%	+8.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.29%	3.43%	+0.86%

Volatility

XC vs. IEMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund (XC) is 5.00%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) has a volatility of 8.31%. This indicates that XC 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

	XC	IEMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.00%	8.31%	-3.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.60%	16.93%	-4.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.78%	19.43%	-4.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.87%	18.38%	-2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.87%	20.03%	-4.16%

XC vs. IEMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

XC has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than IEMG's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XC vs. IEMG - Dividend Comparison

XC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.41%, more than IEMG's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	2.18%	2.75%	3.20%	2.89%	2.71%	3.06%	1.87%	3.15%	2.76%	2.35%	2.28%	2.53%
XC WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Fund	12.41%	11.74%	1.49%	1.42%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XC and IEMG in my portfolio?

XC and IEMG have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XC or IEMG?

IEMG has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to XC (5.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XC dropped -20.97% vs IEMG's -38.71%.

Which ETF is better, XC or IEMG?

On 3-year performance, IEMG leads with 23.55% vs 9.87% for XC. On fees, IEMG is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, XC has been the lower-risk option at 5.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XC or IEMG?

Over the 3-year period, IEMG has performed better with a 23.55% return vs 9.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XC or IEMG?

IEMG is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for XC.

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

XC has the higher dividend yield at 12.41%, compared with 2.18% for IEMG.

What is the main difference between XC and IEMG?

XC tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets ex-China Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IEMG tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (USD) (Net). They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XC and 0.09% for IEMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEMG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 0.57), 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.