EEM vs IEMG: Grades, Fees and Holdings Compared

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

EEMBNYSE Arca

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

IEMGANYSE Arca

Overlap

88.1%by weight

Expense ratio

IEMG −0.63pt a year

EEM0.72%IEMG0.09%

Avg volume · 30D

EEM 1.8×the volume

EEM20.9MIEMG11.8M

10Y return · a year

IEMG +0.6pt

EEM+7.4%IEMG+8.0%

EEM vs IEMG Performance

Oct 29, 2021 – Oct 30, 2026

+34.9%EEM+37.7%IEMG

Expense ratio: EEM 0.72%; IEMG 0.09%, better
Fund size: EEM $28.2B; IEMG $146B
1Y total return: EEM +12.5%, better; IEMG +11.5%
Yield (12M): EEM 1.83%; IEMG 2.42%, better
Holdings: EEM 1206; IEMG 2857
Avg volume (30D): EEM 20.9M sh, better; IEMG 11.8M sh
NAV per share: EEM $60.94; IEMG $74.19
52W range

ETF.net Grade

Pillar letters and Scores for EEM, IEMG, with each pillar’s weight
Pillar	EEM	IEMG
Cost30% weight	D27	A84Higher
Mission25% weight	A100	A100
Risk15% weight	C42	C42
Tradability15% weight	A77Higher	B56
Holdings10% weight	C53	A76Higher
Durability5% weight	A73	A79Higher

Rank among MSCI Emerging Markets Core funds

How we build Categories ›

Same Category. EEM and IEMG are both graded against the same 5 MSCI Emerging Markets Core funds, so their Grades compare head to head.

MSCI Emerging Markets Core⁠

Category · 5 funds

See all 5 ›

IEMG ranks 1st and EEM 3rd of 5 funds in the MSCI Emerging Markets Core Category.

Rank 1AIEMGiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETFScore 76
Rank 2BEMXCiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETFScore 63
Rank 3BEEMiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETFScore 59
Rank 4CDBEMXtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETFScore 39

Our read on each fund

ETF.net Research

EEMBiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

IEMGAiShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

In short

EEM The 2003 original. iShares' first big emerging-markets fund is still one of the most actively traded ways to own large- and mid-cap stocks across developing economies, and it carries a legacy price tag to match.

IEMG iShares' emerging-markets workhorse: large, mid and small caps across developing economies in one fund at 0.09% a year, against a 0.66% median for its peer group. Built as a cheap core holding, not a tactical trade.

Stated mandate

EEM The fund seeks to track an index representing large- and mid-capitalization equities from emerging-market countries.

IEMG The fund seeks to track an index representing large-, mid- and small-capitalization equities from emerging markets.

Why people hold it

EEM Launched in 2003, one of the earliest broad emerging-markets ETFs, and still a very actively traded fund with tens of billions in assets, which supports tight pricing for size.
Tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net) very closely, with among the tightest measured index-tracking in its peer group.
One ticket for large- and mid-cap companies across emerging-market countries, in a plain 1940 Act fund wrapper rather than a trust or partnership.

IEMG Charges 0.09% a year while the typical fund in its peer group takes 0.66%. The older in-house sibling EEM charges 0.72% for a narrower large- and mid-cap index.
Tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI, which targets about 99% of each country's free float and reaches into the small caps that large- and mid-cap EM funds skip. Roughly 2,800 holdings.msci.com ishares.com
One of the largest and most heavily traded funds in the category, which typically shows up as tight spreads for the person clicking buy.
No currency hedge, no ex-China carve-out, no climate screen. Straight cap-weighted emerging-markets exposure, and one of the strongest implementations in its peer group.

Worth knowing

EEM The fee is the trade-off: 0.72% a year, above the peer-group median of 0.66%, while the newer core sibling IEMG charges 0.09% for a similar MSCI emerging-markets mandate.
Broad emerging-market equity brings currency swings and single-country politics along with stock risk; measured volatility sits at the higher end of this cohort.
Income arrives once or twice a year, not quarterly or monthly.

IEMG Emerging markets bring currency, political and liquidity risks that developed-market equity does not, and the prospectus spells that out. Expect a bumpier ride.ishares.com
Cap weighting means a handful of countries and their biggest companies drive most of the move, even with roughly 2,800 names in the basket.msci.com
Cash comes back once or twice a year rather than monthly, so income arrives in lumps.

Full EEM profile⁠

Full IEMG profile⁠

EEM vs IEMG Holdings

How EEM and IEMG differ

Overlap by weight

88.1%

Shared holdings make up 100% of EEM and 88.4% of IEMG.

Level by level

Holdings1,179 in both88.1%
Sector11 Sectors96.1%
Countryby domicile96.4%
Asset classEquity100%

Sector

Sector weights in EEM and IEMG, widest gap first
Sector	More in EEMMore in IEMG	EEM	IEMG
Technology	EEM +2.6 points	41.9%	39.3%
Industrials	IEMG +1.3 points	6.0%	7.3%
Financials	EEM +0.9 points	20.3%	19.4%
Health Care	IEMG +0.8 points	2.7%	3.5%
Real Estate	IEMG +0.6 points	1.0%	1.6%
Materials	IEMG +0.4 points	5.9%	6.3%
Consumer Discretionary	IEMG +0.4 points	7.6%	8.0%
Consumer Staples	IEMG +0.3 points	2.8%	3.1%
Communication	EEM +0.3 points	6.0%	5.7%
Utilities	IEMG +0.3 points	1.9%	2.2%
Energy	EEM +0.1 points	3.7%	3.6%

Country, concentration and asset class

Country by domicile

Country weights in EEM and IEMG, widest gap first
Country	More in EEMMore in IEMG	EEM	IEMG
China	EEM +1.7 points	20.8%	19.1%
Thailand	IEMG +1.2 points	0.0%	1.2%
Malaysia	IEMG +1.2 points	0.0%	1.2%
South Korea	EEM +1.0 points	21.4%	20.4%
India	IEMG +1.1 points	12.2%	13.3%
Taiwan	EEM +0.6 points	31.0%	30.4%
Other countries (4)	EEM +0.1 points	14.5%	14.4%

Outside the US: EEM 0% developed, 100% emerging. IEMG 0% developed, 100% emerging.

Concentration

Weight in the 10 largest Holdings

EEM37.8%
IEMG33.0%

Securities held

EEM1,183
IEMG2,828

Asset class

EEM: Equity
IEMG: Equity

Holdings

Only in EEM4
In both1,179
Only in IEMG1,649

Only in EEM

4 securities, 0.0% of EEM by weight

Axia Energia Prf SA<0.01%
Hkd/Usd0.00%
Enka Insaat Ve Sanayi A0.00%
Folli Follie S.a. SA0.00%

Only in IEMG

1,649 securities, 11.9% of IEMG by weight

Taiwan Union Technology0.08%
Kinsus Interconnect Technology Cor0.07%
Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board Corp0.07%
Powerchip Semiconductor Manufactur0.06%
Samsung E&A Ltd0.06%
Tripod Technology0.05%
Coforge0.05%
Compeq Manufacturing Ltd0.05%
Win Semiconductors Corp0.05%
Land Mark Corp0.05%
Auo0.04%
Taiwan Cement0.04%
United Integrated Services0.04%
Macronix International0.04%
International Games System Ltd0.04%
Powertech Technology0.04%
Iteq Corp0.04%
Wpg Holdings0.04%
Silergy0.04%
Ememory Technology Inc0.04%
Wt Microelectronics0.04%
Compal Electronics0.03%
Taiwan Business Bank Ltd0.03%
Sona Blw Precision Forgings Ltd0.03%
Coway Ltd0.03%
Benefit Systems0.03%
Fositek0.03%
Synnex Technology International Co0.03%
Embassy Office Parks Reit Units0.03%
Old Mutual Limited0.03%
Winway Technology0.03%
Samsung Securities Ltd0.03%
Hlb Ltd0.03%
Kaori Heat Treatment Ltd0.03%
Isupetasys Ltd0.03%
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals0.03%
Radico Khaitan0.03%
Jusung Engineering Ltd0.03%
Max Financial Services Ltd0.03%
Walsin Technology0.03%
Chipbond Technology Corp0.03%
Aspen Pharmacare0.03%
Micro-Star International0.03%
Yang Ming Marine Transport0.03%
Walsin Lihwa0.03%
Daeduckelectronics Ltd0.02%
Kingdee Int L Software Group Ltd0.02%
Alior Bank SA0.02%
Totvs0.02%
Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Ltd0.02%

Weight gaps

The 100 widest of 1,179 Holdings in both funds.

Holding weights in EEM and IEMG, widest gap first
Holding	More in EEMMore in IEMG	EEM	IEMG
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing	EEM +1.94 points	15.88%	13.94%
Samsung Electronics Ltd	EEM +0.92 points	7.06%	6.14%
Sk Hynix	EEM +0.92 points	5.49%	4.57%
Tencent Holdings	EEM +0.23 points	2.57%	2.34%
Mediatek	EEM +0.21 points	1.56%	1.35%
Alibaba Group Holding	EEM +0.18 points	1.79%	1.61%
Delta Electronics	EEM +0.15 points	0.77%	0.62%
Samsung Electronics Non Voting Pre	EEM +0.15 points	0.96%	0.81%
Hon Hai Precision Industry	EEM +0.09 points	0.81%	0.72%
Sk Square	EEM +0.09 points	0.57%	0.48%
China Construction Bank Corp H	EEM +0.09 points	0.95%	0.86%
Samsung Electro Mechanics Ltd	EEM +0.08 points	0.47%	0.39%
Ase Technology Holding	EEM +0.08 points	0.61%	0.53%
Reliance Industries Ltd	EEM +0.06 points	0.61%	0.55%
Elite Material	EEM +0.06 points	0.38%	0.32%
Icici Bank	EEM +0.06 points	0.67%	0.61%
Anglogold Ashanti PLC	EEM +0.07 points	0.38%	0.31%
Hdfc Bank	EEM +0.06 points	0.71%	0.65%
Nan Ya Plastics Corp	EEM +0.06 points	0.40%	0.34%
Unimicron Technology	EEM +0.06 points	0.38%	0.32%
Bharti Airtel Ltd	EEM +0.06 points	0.51%	0.45%
Industrial and Commercial Bank of	EEM +0.05 points	0.56%	0.51%
Nu Holdings Class ANU	EEM +0.05 points	0.38%	0.33%
United Micro Electronics Corp	EEM +0.05 points	0.35%	0.30%
Gold Fields	EEM +0.05 points	0.28%	0.23%
Bank of China Ltd H	EEM +0.05 points	0.46%	0.41%
Al Rajhi Bank	EEM +0.05 points	0.41%	0.36%
Itau Unibanco Holding Pref SA	EEM +0.05 points	0.35%	0.30%
Grupo Mexico B	EEM +0.05 points	0.32%	0.27%
Accton Technology	EEM +0.05 points	0.24%	0.19%
Fubon Financial Holding	EEM +0.04 points	0.36%	0.32%
Petroleo Brasileiro Pref SA	EEM +0.04 points	0.39%	0.35%
Pdd Holdings AdsPDD	EEM +0.04 points	0.36%	0.32%
Yageo	EEM +0.04 points	0.23%	0.19%
Xiaomi	EEM +0.04 points	0.49%	0.45%
Saudi Arabian Oil	EEM +0.04 points	0.36%	0.32%
Kb Financial Group	EEM +0.03 points	0.34%	0.31%
Chroma Ate	EEM +0.04 points	0.19%	0.15%
Kia Corporation	EEM +0.04 points	0.17%	0.13%
Hyundai Motor	EEM +0.03 points	0.25%	0.22%
Ctbc Financial Holding	EEM +0.04 points	0.34%	0.30%
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras	EEM +0.04 points	0.36%	0.32%
Naspers Limited Class N	EEM +0.03 points	0.27%	0.24%
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank	EEM +0.03 points	0.23%	0.20%
Cathay Financial Holding	EEM +0.04 points	0.30%	0.26%
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co of Ch	EEM +0.03 points	0.34%	0.31%
Firstrand Ltd	EEM +0.04 points	0.25%	0.21%
Byd H	EEM +0.03 points	0.28%	0.25%
Delta Electronics (Thailand) Non-V	EEM +0.03 points	0.18%	0.15%
Standard Bank Group	EEM +0.03 points	0.21%	0.18%
Wistron	EEM +0.03 points	0.16%	0.13%
Otp Bank	EEM +0.03 points	0.25%	0.22%
Lenovo Group	EEM +0.03 points	0.18%	0.15%
Hanwha Aerospace Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.17%	0.14%
Meituan	EEM +0.03 points	0.39%	0.36%
Ts Financial Holding	EEM +0.03 points	0.26%	0.23%
Kuwait Finance House	EEM +0.03 points	0.24%	0.21%
Multi Commodity Exchange of India	IEMG +0.03 points	<0.01%	0.03%
Asia Vital Components	EEM +0.03 points	0.27%	0.24%
Netease	EEM +0.03 points	0.34%	0.31%
Cia Vale Do Rio Doce Sh	EEM +0.03 points	0.35%	0.32%
Credicorp LtdBAP	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Axis Bank	EEM +0.03 points	0.26%	0.23%
Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.23%	0.20%
Southern Copper CorpSCCO	EEM +0.03 points	0.16%	0.13%
Capitec Shs	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
The Saudi National Bank	EEM +0.02 points	0.24%	0.22%
Valterra Platinum Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.16%	0.13%
Quanta Computer	EEM +0.02 points	0.24%	0.22%
National Bank of Kuwait	EEM +0.02 points	0.20%	0.18%
Axia Energia SA	EEM +0.02 points	0.11%	0.09%
Gpo Finance Banorte	EEM +0.02 points	0.23%	0.21%
Larsen and Toubro Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.24%	0.21%
Nanya Technology Corp	EEM +0.03 points	0.17%	0.14%
Asustek Computer Inc	EEM +0.02 points	0.17%	0.15%
Infosys	EEM +0.03 points	0.32%	0.29%
Aspeed Technology	EEM +0.02 points	0.15%	0.13%
China Life Insurance Ltd H	EEM +0.02 points	0.20%	0.18%
Jd.com Class A	EEM +0.02 points	0.25%	0.23%
Largan Precision Ltd	EEM +0.02 points	0.14%	0.12%
Saudi Telecom	EEM +0.02 points	0.19%	0.17%
Samsung C&T Corp	EEM +0.02 points	0.17%	0.15%
Shinhan Financial Group	EEM +0.02 points	0.24%	0.22%
Yuanta Financial Holding	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd	EEM +0.02 points	0.23%	0.21%
Bajaj Finance Ltd	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Doosan Enerbility Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.17%	0.14%
Orlen	EEM +0.02 points	0.19%	0.17%
Wuxi Biologics Cayman	EEM +0.03 points	0.18%	0.15%
Beone Medicines AG	EEM +0.03 points	0.20%	0.17%
Agricultural Bank of China H	EEM +0.03 points	0.21%	0.18%
Hyundai Mobis Ltd	EEM +0.03 points	0.14%	0.11%
Wiwynn Corporation	EEM +0.02 points	0.15%	0.13%
Hana Financial Group	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Sk Inc	EEM +0.02 points	0.13%	0.11%
Zijin Mining Group Ltd H	EEM +0.03 points	0.18%	0.16%
Samsung Sdi Ltd	EEM +0.02 points	0.21%	0.19%
Emaar Properties	EEM +0.02 points	0.17%	0.15%
Winbond Electronics	EEM +0.02 points	0.14%	0.12%
Naver	EEM +0.02 points	0.16%	0.14%

All 1,184 EEM holdings⁠All 2,851 IEMG holdings⁠

How we measure overlap

Each holding counts at its smaller weight in the two funds, summed over the full Holdings. Sector, country and asset class use the same rule on each fund’s split. Cash, FX and derivative lines stay out of the counts. Two bond funds get no overlap figure.

EEM vs IEMG Cost

Overpaying EEM vs IEMG

$12,059

On $10,000 over 30 years. 7% growth a year before fees, expense ratio only.

EEM 0.72%
$13,957
IEMG 0.09%
$1,898

Amount$10,000

Years30 years

Cost over time

EEM 0.72%
IEMG 0.09%
Overpaying

Year by year

Year	EEM	IEMG	Overpaying
10	$1,284	$165	$1,119
20	$4,888	$646	$4,242
30	$13,957	$1,898	$12,059

Expense ratio

0.72%EEM
0.09%IEMG, cheaper

IEMG0.09%EEM0.72%

0.09%1.51%

Middle half of MSCI Emerging Markets Core funds
Median 0.66%

IEMG cheapest of 5 funds

EEM 4th cheapest of 5 funds

EEM vs IEMG Dividends

Last 12 months to Oct 30, 2026

Yield (12M): EEM 1.83%; IEMG 2.42%, better
Payout (12M): EEM $1.11; IEMG $1.80
Last payment: EEM $0.35; IEMG $0.66
Ex-dividend: EEM Jun 15, 2026; IEMG Jun 15, 2026
Paid on: EEM Jun 18, 2026; IEMG Jun 18, 2026
Frequency: EEM Twice a year; IEMG Twice a year

Distribution history

Per share, 2017 to 2026, same scale for both

EEMTwice a year · 20 paymentsAll EEM payments⁠

IEMGTwice a year · 19 paymentsAll IEMG payments⁠

EEM vs IEMG Risk

Fall from peak · 5 years

EEM
IEMG

Risk facts

VolatilityStd dev, 3 years: EEM 16.1%IEMG 15.9%, better
Return per unit of riskSharpe ratio, 3 years: EEM 1.01, betterIEMG 1.00
Worst fallMax drawdown, 5 years: EEM −33.2%IEMG −32.0%, better
Market sensitivityBeta, 5 years: EEM 1.03IEMG 1.01; Market = 1

EEM and IEMG in the news

All news⁠

New ETFs
BlackRock lists an active emerging-markets ETF 19 days after Goldman
Oct 5, 2026EEMIEMG
News
Vietnam enters FTSE emerging-market indexes, starting at 10% of its weight
Sep 21, 2026EEMIEMG
Best ETFs
Best international ETFs: one cheap fund, then the Korea choice
Updated Nov 2, 2026IEMG
Top Movers
Brazil small-cap fund falls 37% in the week Lula won again
Oct 30, 2026EEM
Top Movers
Brazil funds fall as much as 31.6% after Lula wins the runoff
Oct 26, 2026EEM
Head-to-Head
South Korea is the difference between VWO and IEMG
Oct 20, 2026IEMG

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EEM vs IEMG

In short

Stated mandate

Why people hold it