EMB vs VOO
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, EMB or VOO?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | EMB | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $14.8B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.14% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 615 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +0.69% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.23% | +17.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.07% | +21.25%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.36% | +13.08%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.1%Best | 14.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.6%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,699 | $18,490Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 17, 2026 (16 years).
EMB vs VOO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
EMB vs VOO Performance
iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EMB returned +3.23% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, EMB is up 0.69% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Over three years, EMB compounded at +9.07% per year against +21.25% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +1.36% and +13.08% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +0.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.1% compared with 9.1% for EMB. 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 -32.6% for EMB and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMB charges 0.39% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $3 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMB currently yields 5.14% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 238 holdings in EMB and 494 in VOO, totalling 39.0% and 99.5% 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 238 positions we hold weights for in EMB and 494 in VOO, against full books of 615 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMB and VOO 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, EMB or VOO?
EMB has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMB or VOO?
Over the past year EMB returned +3.23% vs +17.03% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), EMB annualized +0.78% vs +13.38% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMB or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.1% annualized versus 9.1% for EMB. Worst drawdown: EMB -32.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both EMB and VOO?
EMB and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, EMB or VOO?
EMB yields 5.14% while VOO yields 1.04%, so EMB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than EMB?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.