EMD vs IVV
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc vs iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, EMD or IVV?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV 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 | EMD | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.09% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $632M | $876.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.31% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 267 | 508 |
| YTD Return | -1.28% | +11.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.38% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.98% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.71% | +12.66%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.5% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,998 | $18,149Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2003 | May 15, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2003 to Sep 15, 2026 (22.8 years).
EMD vs IVV 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.
EMD vs IVV Performance
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year EMD returned +5.38% while IVV returned +15.96%. Year to date, EMD is down 1.28% versus a gain of 11.51% for IVV.
Over three years, EMD compounded at +15.98% per year against +21.01% for IVV; over five years the annualized figures are +3.71% and +12.66% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.34% annualized vs -0.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 14.6% for IVV. 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 -64.5% for EMD and -56.5% for IVV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMD charges 3.09% per year while IVV charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $309 vs $3 annually, a gap of $306 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMD currently yields 9.31% against 1.06% for IVV.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 136 holdings in EMD and 490 in IVV, totalling 71.2% and 99.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, EMD as of Mar 31, 2026 and IVV as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 136 positions we hold weights for in EMD and 490 in IVV, against full books of 267 and 508.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMD and IVV 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, EMD or IVV?
EMD has an expense ratio of 3.09% while IVV charges 0.03%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $306 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMD or IVV?
Over the past year EMD returned +5.38% vs +15.96% for IVV, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), EMD annualized -0.57% vs +9.34% for IVV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMD or IVV?
EMD has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 14.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: EMD -64.5% vs IVV -56.5%.
Should I hold both EMD and IVV?
EMD and IVV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, EMD or IVV?
EMD yields 9.31% while IVV yields 1.06%, so EMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is IVV better than EMD?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV 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.