BEMB vs SPY
iShares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, BEMB or SPY?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BEMB | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.12% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 260 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -2.00% | +12.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.34% | +16.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.37% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.0%Best | 12.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -18.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $12,638 | $20,201Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 22, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.6 years).
BEMB vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.6 years both funds cover.
BEMB vs SPY Performance
iShares J.P. Morgan Broad USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (BEMB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year BEMB returned +0.34% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, BEMB is down 2.00% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, BEMB compounded at +7.37% per year against +21.20% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +21.57% annualized vs +6.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 6.0% for BEMB. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -6.2% for BEMB and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BEMB charges 0.15% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $9 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BEMB currently yields 6.12% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 107 holdings in BEMB and 504 in SPY, totalling 38.3% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in BEMB and 504 in SPY, against full books of 260 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BEMB and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BEMB or SPY?
BEMB has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BEMB or SPY?
Over the past year BEMB returned +0.34% vs +16.29% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BEMB annualized +6.72% vs +21.57% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BEMB or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 6.0% for BEMB. Worst drawdown: BEMB -6.2% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both BEMB and SPY?
BEMB and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BEMB or SPY?
BEMB yields 6.12% while SPY yields 0.98%, so BEMB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than BEMB?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.