EMGF vs JHEM

EMGFAiShares Emerging Markets Equity Factor ETF

JHEMCJohn Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF

In short

EMGF Emerging markets, sorted by factor screen instead of straight market cap. EMGF holds roughly 700 large- and mid-cap EM stocks picked for style-factor exposure, and charges 0.26% doing it, about half the multifactor EM norm.

JHEM Dimensional designs the index, John Hancock wraps it in an ETF: roughly 900 emerging-market stocks, sorted country by country toward cheaper, more profitable, smaller companies. Fee is 0.49%, net of a waiver through July 31, 2027.

Stated mandate

EMGF EMGF seeks to follow an index of large- and mid-capitalization emerging-market stocks selected for favorable exposure to specified style factors, subject to constraints.

JHEM The fund seeks, before fees and expenses, investment results that closely correspond to the performance of the John Hancock Dimensional Emerging Markets Index.

Why people hold it

• EMGF 0.26% a year, versus a 0.48% median across multifactor EM funds. It undercuts AVES, JPEM, ROAM and QEMM on fee.
• Roughly 700 large- and mid-cap names, so the factor tilts sit on a broad base rather than a handful of concentrated bets.
• Running since 2015 as a billion-dollar-plus iShares fund, with steady enough volume for routine retail orders.
• On cost and ease of trading, one of the stronger builds in the multifactor emerging-markets group.

• JHEM Dimensional Fund Advisors builds and maintains the index, classifying stocks country by country on market cap, relative price and profitability.sec.gov
• Wide net: roughly 900 names drawn from the top 80% of each eligible country's market cap, with frontier markets allowed in.sec.gov
• 0.49% net of a waiver through July 31, 2027 (0.58% before it) lands near the category median fee.
• Running since 2018 on the same Dimensional index, so there is a real multi-year record behind the rules.

Worth knowing

• EMGF Factor tilts mean the portfolio can drift well away from a plain cap-weighted EM index, in either direction, for long stretches.ishares.com
• Emerging-market equity carries currency swings and country-level political risk on top of normal stock risk. Volatility here sits at the rougher end of its peer group.ishares.com
• Distributions land annually or semiannually, not monthly, so it is not built as an income drip.

• JHEM Cheaper routes to emerging-market factors exist: EMGF charges 0.26% and FDEM 0.25%, neither under a waiver.
• Dimensional sells the value tilt directly now, via DFEV at 0.43% net of a waiver through February 28, 2027.
• Distributions come once or twice a year, not quarterly, and the frontier-market allowance can pull in thinner markets.sec.gov

Full EMGF profile⁠

Full JHEM profile⁠