Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
IEMG vs VWO
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF against Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
IEMG did better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $1,993, versus $1,792 for VWO. IEMG also led over three years (+76.3% versus +60.6%), the past year (+15.8% versus +6.6%), and YTD (+13.6% versus +6.0%). The advantage matters because the funds were highly correlated, with daily-move correlation of 0.965, so IEMG delivered meaningfully higher returns despite tracking a very similar market. However, IEMG was riskier: 12-month volatility was 24.6% versus 17.5% for VWO. Their worst drawdowns were nearly identical at -17.2% for IEMG and -17.4% for VWO. VWO had the lower expense ratio, 0.06% versus 0.09%, and slightly larger assets, $161B versus $149B. Overall, IEMG was the stronger performer, while VWO offered lower volatility and costs.
- Price is below its 200-day average ($78); 50-day at $81.
- RSI 32, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 27, so the trend is strong.
- Price is below its 200-day average ($58); 50-day at $60.
- RSI 30, oversold. Supertrend says sell. ADX 24, so the trend is developing.
Head to head
Which has returned more, IEMG or VWO?
IEMG beat VWO in 26 of the last 48 months; VWO won the other 22. The typical monthly gap was 0.55 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Oct 7, 2024 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.965
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 1.11
- IEMG move per 1% in VWO
- 0.950
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 0.55 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | IEMG | VWO | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | -6.3% | -1.6% | -4.74 pts |
| May 2026 | +6.3% | +1.6% | +4.73 pts |
| April 2026 | +12.5% | +9.0% | +3.51 pts |
| January 2026 | +8.0% | +5.0% | +2.91 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with IEMG and VWO?
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