What does a fund's inception date mean for its performance track record?

AVEM began on 17 September 2019, while IEMG started on 18 October 2012. Inception dates indicate when a fund began operating. IEMG’s longer history provides more observed performance data, whereas AVEM’s shorter track record limits long-term analysis. When reviewing ETF comparison pages, consider how much history exists for each fund rather than inferring future outcomes.

How do expense ratios affect the amount of money retained from a fund?

AVEM has an expense ratio of 0.33% and IEMG has 0.09%, so the fee difference is 0.24 percentage points. The expense ratio represents annual operating costs deducted from a fund’s assets. Higher or lower fees affect the share of returns retained, though they do not indicate performance quality. Compare fees alongside the fund’s structure and holdings.

How do investors identify which index each fund tracks?

The fund data does not specify the index either fund tracks, so tracking details are not available. Investors can identify tracked indices only when a provider discloses the exact benchmark. If a fund’s index is unavailable, avoid assuming how it is constructed. Compare funds using the disclosed features, such as fees and yields, rather than inferred index characteristics.

What do dividend yields show and what do they not show?

AVEM lists a dividend yield of 2.50% and IEMG lists 2.15%. Dividend yield indicates income per share as a percentage of price; it does not show total return or guarantee distributions. An ETF’s payout depends on income received, fund policy and taxes. Use yield as one comparison point, not as proof of higher future cash flows.

Do larger net assets make a fund better?

AVEM has $28.4 billion in net assets and IEMG has $161.8 billion. Larger assets can support trading liquidity and fund stability, yet they do not automatically make a fund better or more suitable. Net assets alone do not measure risk, fees or outcomes. When comparing ETFs, view size alongside cost, track record and portfolio transparency.

How should beginners interpret top holdings and overlap information?

AVEM lists specific top holdings, such as TSM at 6.39%, while IEMG’s top holdings are not available. The data shows no shared top-10 holdings among the listed top holdings. Top holding weights reveal portfolio concentration, whereas absent data reduces visibility into holdings. Review disclosed weights when available and avoid assumptions when information is missing.

Which investing goals are each fund typically associated with?

AVEM and IEMG are diversified emerging markets equity ETFs, often linked to emerging market exposure in educational comparisons. Investors may also note IEMG’s lower expense ratio and AVEM’s disclosed concentration features. Goal fit depends on an investor’s preferences for costs, data disclosure and portfolio style, not on a single metric. Descriptions are neutral and do not recommend either fund.

How do emerging markets ETFs fit within a broader portfolio?

AVEM and IEMG both operate within the Diversified Emerging Mkts category. Emerging markets ETFs can provide broad exposure to equities from developing countries, which may behave differently from developed markets. Comparing these funds helps identify trade-offs among fees, disclosure and fund size. No conclusion should be drawn about future suitability.

What should investors know about sector weights when comparing these ETFs?

Sector weights are not available for either AVEM or IEMG. Without disclosed sector data, investors cannot reliably compare industry concentration between the two funds. Review the fund provider’s official documentation to understand the available holdings and portfolio construction. Do not infer sector exposures from dividend yields, expense ratios or top holdings alone.

How can a beginner compare two ETFs using a comparison table?

A beginner can compare AVEM and IEMG by reading the table column by column. Check expense ratios, net assets, dividend yields, inception dates and top holdings. If a value is shown as not available, treat that as missing information, not as zero or a similar fund. Compare only the disclosed figures and record what is missing.

What disclaimer should be considered when reading an ETF comparison page?

ETF comparison pages provide educational context and factual data, not personalised financial advice. Comparisons may use information that is not available, such as sector weights, so investors should consult fund provider documents for current details. This page is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold AVEM, IEMG, or any other investment.

AVEM vs IEMG

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

Compare AVEM and IEMG, two diversified emerging markets ETFs. Review expense ratios of 0.33% and 0.09%, net assets of $28.4 billion and $161.8 billion, and dividend yields of 2.50% and 2.15%. Examine top holdings, with AVEM listing specific weights and IEMG data not available, to see how each fund tracks its market. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare AVEM and IEMG, two diversified emerging markets ETFs. Review expense ratios of 0.33% and 0.09%, net assets of $28.4 billion and $161.8 billion, and dividend yields of 2.50% and 2.15%. Examine ...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

AVEM

Metric

IEMG

0.33%

Expense Ratio

0.09%

2.50%

Dividend Yield

2.15%

$28.44B

Net Assets

$161.78B

4,046

Holdings

2,925

Sep 17, 2019

Inception Date

Oct 18, 2012

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Index Tracked

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Diversified Emerging Mkts

Fund Category

Diversified Emerging Mkts

IEMG costs about $24.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

These funds do not share any of their top holdings.

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AVEM vs DFEM

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Investment Analysis

AVEM

Pros

The fund offers a slightly higher dividend yield of 2.50 per cent compared to its benchmark rival.
Asset holdings include a concentrated weighting in TSM at 6.39 per cent, potentially enhancing specific returns.
The expense ratio of 0.33 per cent remains competitive for an actively managed emerging markets strategy.

Considerations

The expense ratio is 0.24 percentage points higher than the lower-cost passive alternative available in the category.
A relatively small net asset base of 28.4 billion dollars may result in wider bid-ask spreads.
The inception date of September 2019 limits the observable long-term track record for performance evaluation.

IEMG

Pros

A very low expense ratio of 0.09 per cent supports cost efficiency for long-term holding strategies.
Significant net assets of 161.8 billion dollars typically ensure deep liquidity and tighter trading spreads.
The inception date of October 2012 provides a substantially longer operational history for performance analysis.

Considerations

The dividend yield of 2.15 per cent is marginally lower than the 2.50 per cent offered by the active fund.
The absence of disclosed top holdings reduces transparency regarding specific concentration risks within the portfolio.
Passive tracking means the fund cannot potentially deviate from the index to capture excess returns.

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About AVEM and IEMG

AVEM (AVEM)

The Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) offers investors a structured way to gain exposure to a broad range of stocks in emerging market economies. As an exchange-traded fund launched in September 2019, it currently holds a substantial portfolio of 4,046 holdings with net assets of USD 28.44 billion. This fund fits within the Diversified Emerging Markets category, which includes economies from Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. While emerging markets can provide opportunities for growth that developed markets might not offer, they also tend to be more volatile. The fund features a dividend yield of 2.50% and an expense ratio of 0.33%. Investors should remember that share prices and yields can rise as well as fall, and returns are not guaranteed.

IEMG (IEMG)

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) provides broad exposure to equities in emerging-market countries by tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. It includes large-, mid- and small-cap companies across a wide range of economies, offering diversified access to fast-growing regions that can complement developed-market holdings. As an ETF, IEMG trades like a stock on exchanges, with intraday liquidity and market pricing. Investors should weigh potential benefits—diversification and emerging-market growth prospects—against distinct risks: higher volatility, political and currency risk, and regional liquidity differences. Performance can fluctuate materially and past performance is no guarantee of future returns. This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personal investment advice; suitability depends on individual circumstances and investors should consult a financial adviser if unsure.

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