LIVE
IEMG
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF · ETF
$85.63
+9.92% this month
VERSUS
⟷
COMPARE
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF · ETF
$60.77
+5.14% this month
Scoreboard verdict
Across expense ratio, momentum, yield, fund size, risk
IEMG
1
VWO
4
Comparison scoreboard
VWO LEADS 4/5Exp. Ratio
IEMG 0.09%
VWO ✓0.06%
1Y Return
IEMG ✓+51.57%
VWO +29.89%
Div. Yield
IEMG 2.21%
VWO ✓2.43%
AUM
IEMG $162.03B
VWO ✓$162.82B
Beta
IEMG 0.73
VWO ✓0.62
Metrics last refreshed: 6/20/2026
Quick take
IEMG vs VWO Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
IEMG and VWO are both low-cost core emerging market ETFs providing nearly identical EM exposure at minimal cost (0.09% vs 0.08%). The primary composition difference is South Korea — IEMG includes it (MSCI considers Korea EM), VWO excludes it (FTSE considers Korea developed). The 1 basis point cost difference is negligible. The Korea inclusion/exclusion is the key decision factor.
IEMG vs VWO is the MSCI EM benchmark including South Korea at 0.09% (IEMG) versus the FTSE EM benchmark excluding South Korea at 0.08% (VWO) — one basis point cost difference and South Korea inclusion is the entire differentiation between these two nearly identical low-cost emerging market ETFs.
Live analysis · updated 6/20/2026
VWO holds the edge across 4 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. IEMG has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+51.57% vs +29.89% for VWO).
Normalized 1Y performance
IEMG
VWO
Recent returns
IEMG
VWO
Who should consider this stock?
IEMG may suit investors who:
- →want MSCI EM index tracking including South Korea (Samsung, SK Hynix, POSCO, Hyundai) as part of their EM allocation
- →use iShares ETFs across their portfolio and prefer IEMG as the iShares core EM product for portfolio consolidation
- →value MSCI EM as the institutional benchmark for emerging markets reporting and benchmarking requirements
- →are comfortable with 0.09% vs VWO's 0.08% as an immaterial cost difference given identical practical exposure
VWO may suit investors who:
- →prefer Vanguard's EM ETF excluding South Korea (per FTSE's developed market classification of Korea)
- →value Vanguard's structural cost minimization at 0.08% — the cheapest EM ETF available from major providers
- →use Vanguard products across their portfolio for consistency and Vanguard's investor-owned structural advantages
- →are comfortable with Korea exclusion meaning IEMG and VWO perform differently during Korean equity-specific market movements
Performance & AI score
| Metric | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| ETF score | 84.0 | 83.0 |
| Latest close | $85.63 | $60.77 |
| 1M return | +9.92% | +5.14% |
| 6M return | +33.37% | +16.77% |
| 1Y return | +51.57% | +29.89% |
$10,000 invested — hypothetical growth (dividends reinvested)
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $15.54K (+55.4%) started 2025-06-18 | $13.37K (+33.7%) started 2025-06-18 |
| 5Y ago | $17.59K (+75.9%) started 2021-06-18 | $15.83K (+58.3%) started 2021-06-18 |
| 10Y ago | $37.92K (+279.2%) started 2016-06-20 | $32.79K (+227.9%) started 2016-06-20 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fund characteristics
| Metric | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $162.03B | $162.82B |
| Dividend yield | 2.21% | 2.43% |
| Trailing P/E | 18.56 | 17.16 |
| Beta | 0.73 | 0.62 |
| 52-week change | 51.57% | 29.89% |
Risk & fund metrics
| Metric | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y return | +51.57% | +29.89% |
| 6M return | +33.37% | +16.77% |
| 1M return | +9.92% | +5.14% |
| 1Y Sharpe ratio | 1.85 | 1.39 |
| Beta | 0.73 | 0.62 |
| Dividend yield | 2.21% | 2.43% |
| 5Y CAGR | +8.51% | +5.88% |
Drawdown & downside risk
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
1Y risk snapshot
IEMG max drawdown13.21%
VWO max drawdown11.17%
IEMG max wkly drop8.17%
VWO max wkly drop6.25%
5Y risk snapshot
IEMG max drawdown35.76%
VWO max drawdown32.60%
IEMG max wkly drop11.94%
VWO max wkly drop12.16%
10Y risk snapshot
IEMG max drawdown38.71%
VWO max drawdown36.39%
IEMG max wkly drop18.11%
VWO max wkly drop17.93%
Performance metrics by period
| Period | Metric | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growth | +51.57% | +29.89% |
| CAGR | +51.61% | +29.91% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.85 | 1.39 | |
| Max drawdown | 13.21% | 11.17% | |
| Max daily drop | 6.40% | 3.78% | |
| Max wkly drop | 8.17% | 6.25% | |
| 5Y | Growth | +50.46% | +33.04% |
| CAGR | +8.51% | +5.88% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.29 | 0.16 | |
| Max drawdown | 35.76% | 32.60% | |
| Max daily drop | 6.40% | 5.60% | |
| Max wkly drop | 11.94% | 12.16% | |
| 10Y | Growth | +174.87% | +135.75% |
| CAGR | +10.65% | +8.96% | |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.38 | 0.31 | |
| Max drawdown | 38.71% | 36.39% | |
| Max daily drop | 12.67% | 12.09% | |
| Max wkly drop | 18.11% | 17.93% |
Fund overview
| Category | IEMG | VWO |
|---|---|---|
| Fund name | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| Total assets (AUM) | $162.03B | $162.82B |
| Dividend yield | 2.21% | 2.43% |
IEMG strengths
- →0.09% expense ratio vs EEM's 0.68% — IEMG provides more comprehensive EM coverage at far lower cost
- →Includes small-cap EM stocks providing the most complete MSCI EM exposure available at this cost level
- →MSCI EM index is the institutional benchmark for emerging markets — IEMG tracks the comprehensive all-cap version of this widely-followed index
VWO strengths
- →0.08% expense ratio — marginally the cheapest EM ETF available from a major ETF provider
- →FTSE EM index excludes South Korea (considered developed market), focusing EM exposure on countries like China, India, Brazil, Taiwan, Mexico, and others
- →Vanguard's structural advantages ensure continued cost minimization in the EM allocation over time
Risks to watch — IEMG
- →South Korea inclusion — MSCI classifies South Korea as emerging market (unlike FTSE which classifies it as developed) meaning IEMG includes Samsung, Hyundai, and other Korean companies
- →China concentration at 25–30% means Chinese regulatory and geopolitical risk remains significant despite geographic diversification
- →0.09% vs VWO's 0.08% — VWO is marginally cheaper (1 basis point) but essentially equivalent in cost
Risks to watch — VWO
- →Korea exclusion means VWO and IEMG will perform differently during periods when Samsung, SK Hynix, and Korean companies outperform or underperform EM averages
- →China concentration at 30%+ is the primary risk factor — VWO has meaningful exposure to Chinese government regulatory actions
- →EM equities have significantly underperformed US equities over the past 15 years — currency devaluation and political risk have compressed returns
Frequently asked questions
Free public comparison
Want deeper AI forecasts?
This comparison page is public and free forever. Subscribers can unlock saved watchlists, full AI rankings, detailed forecasts, and interactive analysis tools.
Related comparisons
More comparisons
Browse all 1,000 comparisons →