IEMG vs. VWO – Which ETF for Emerging Markets?

Here we look at 2 index ETFs for Emerging Markets stocks – IEMG from iShares and VWO from Vanguard.

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IEMG vs. VWO – Differences in Methodology and Composition

If you've landed here, you probably already know that index funds are a great way to get instant diversification across sectors and cap sizes. Competition for lower fees has also made index ETFs cheaper for retail investors with every passing year.

IEMG is the iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF. It is the second most popular fund to capture Emerging Markets stocks, so it made the list when I explored the best Emerging Markets ETFs here. It was established in late 2012. The fund seeks to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. IEMG has over $75 billion in assets and has a little over 2,500 holdings.

VWO is the Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF. The fund provides similar broad exposure to Emerging Markets stocks. It launched in 2005. The fund seeks to track the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. This ETF holds about 4,300 stocks. VWO is slightly more popular than IEMG with over $80 billion in assets.

The biggest difference here is that IEMG includes South Korea while VWO does not. A big name in the crosshairs that comes to mind is Samsung. As a result, VWO is more concentrated geographically with greater exposure to its top markets like China, India, and Taiwan, which comprise roughly 67% of the fund, while these countries make up about 59% of IEMG.

This is the case because the MSCI index that IEMG tracks classifies Korea as an emerging market, while VWO's FTSE index does not. Thus, you'll instead find Korea in VEA, Vanguard's ETF for Developed Markets.

As you'll see below, all this hasn't resulted in a significant performance difference between the two.

Both of these funds are highly liquid, with an average spread of 0.01%. Sector composition is nearly identical, with IEMG having slightly more exposure to tech companies. IEMG also costs 1 basis point more with a fee of 0.09%, while VWO is 0.08%.

IEMG vs. VWO – Historical Performance

Outperformance between these two tends to switch off year to year. Going back to IEMG's inception in 2012, it has slightly outperformed VWO when looking through 2021:

Conclusion – IEMG vs. VWO

IEMG and VWO are basically interchangeable, but your choice may come down to your view on Korea and subsequently, whether or not your portfolio is also exposed to ex-US Developed Markets. I already have Korea via VEA, so I like VWO just for its slightly lower fee and greater number of holdings, so I own it. Either is a fine choice for broad exposure to Emerging Markets. This is definitely a great pair to use for tax loss harvesting purposes to avoid a wash sale.

Disclosure: I am long VEA and VWO in my own portfolio.

Disclaimer:  While I love diving into investing-related data and playing around with backtests, this is not financial advice, investing advice, or tax advice. The information on this website is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Investment products discussed (ETFs, mutual funds, etc.) are for illustrative purposes only. It is not a research report. It is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or otherwise transact in any of the products mentioned. I always attempt to ensure the accuracy of information presented but that accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Do your own due diligence. I mention M1 Finance a lot around here. M1 does not provide investment advice, and this is not an offer or solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell any security, and you are encouraged to consult your personal investment, legal, and tax advisors. Hypothetical examples used, such as historical backtests, do not reflect any specific investments, are for illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered an offer to buy or sell any products. All investing involves risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Opinions are my own and do not represent those of other parties mentioned. Read my lengthier disclaimer here.