VGE vs IEM - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VGE and IEM. VGE has the lower management fee at 0.48% a year, IEM has the higher 10 years return at 9.2% a year, and VGE offers the higher at 1.73%.

Lower fee

VGE 0.48% p.a.

Higher 10 years return

IEM 9.2% p.a.

Higher yield

VGE 1.73%

Higher risk-adjusted

IEM Sharpe 0.61 (10y)

Lower volatility

VGE 10.3% (10y)

Larger fund

VGE $2.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VGE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF	IEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	iShares
Tracks index	FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index	MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Categories	EM, Market-Cap	EM, Market-Cap
Listed since	2013 (13 yrs)	—
Fund size (AUM)	$2.2bn	$1.8bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.48%	0.71%
Dividend yield	1.73%	1.4%
Franking	0%	0%
Turnover	10%	—
Tax drag	0.79%	0.45%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	5.8% net	22.3% net
3-year return	14.2% net	20.5% net
5-year return	6.5% net	8.9% net
10-year return	7.8% net	9.2% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	8%	12.8%
Volatility (5y)	10.3%	13.6%
Volatility (10y)	10.3%	12.1%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	1.2	1.2
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.34	0.46
Sharpe ratio (10y)	0.56	0.61
Bid/ask spread	—	—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

VGE Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF

Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.28%.

Full VGE analysis →

IEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Top-10% returns over 1 year (33rd of 318 ETFs we track).

A 0.71% management fee is high and compounds against you over time.

Full IEM analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VGE vs IEM?

VGE and IEM are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VGE carries the lower management fee (0.48%). Over 10 years, IEM has delivered the higher total return (9.2% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VGE vs IEM?

VGE has the lower management fee at 0.48% a year, versus IEM 0.71%.

Which has performed higher - VGE vs IEM?

Over the past 10 years, IEM has delivered the higher total return at 9.2% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VGE pays the higher at 1.73%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VGE is the larger fund by assets ($2.2bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VGE vs EMKT VGE vs AVTE VGE vs IZZ VGE vs NDIA VGE vs VAE VGE vs VEU IEM vs EMKT IEM vs AVTE

← Back to all ETFs

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.