What is the main difference between EMXC and IEMG?

The main difference is their geographic focus. IEMG is a broad emerging markets fund that includes China. In contrast, EMXC specifically excludes China from its portfolio. This means EMXC aims to provide exposure to emerging markets without the specific risks or opportunities associated with the Chinese market. Investors choosing between these two funds are primarily deciding whether to include or exclude China from their emerging markets allocation.

What does 'excluding China' actually mean for an ETF like EMXC?

Excluding China means that the ETF's index methodology deliberately leaves out companies domiciled in China. For EMXC, this results in a portfolio focused on other emerging market economies such as India, South Korea, Brazil, and others. This can alter sector weights and individual company exposure significantly compared to a fund that includes China. It is a strategic choice to isolate non-Chinese emerging market trends.

What does a 'diversified emerging markets' category imply?

A 'diversified emerging markets' category implies that the fund spreads investments across many different countries and sectors within those markets. This diversification helps reduce the impact of any single country's economic volatility on the overall portfolio. Both EMXC and IEMG fall under this broad asset class. However, the specific geographic mix differs, with IEMG including China and EMXC excluding it, leading to distinct diversification profiles within the same category.

How do the expense ratios of EMXC and IEMG compare?

IEMG has a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.09% compared to EMXC's 0.25%. This means that for every $10,000 invested, you pay $9 annually in fees for IEMG, whereas you would pay $25 annually for EMXC. Over long periods, this 0.16 percentage point difference can compound, potentially resulting in a more substantial impact on total returns for the higher-fee fund, all else being equal in terms of gross performance.

Are the top holdings similar between the two funds?

Based on the available data, there is no overlap among the listed top holdings. For EMXC, the top holding provided is NU at 0.50%. For IEMG, specific top holdings are not available in the provided dataset. Consequently, a direct comparison of their exact portfolio composition cannot be made using this specific information, though their geographic exclusion strategy suggests a fundamental difference in underlying constituents.

How do the dividend yields compare for these ETFs?

IEMG currently reports a dividend yield of 2.15%, while EMXC reports a yield of 1.88%. A higher yield might appeal to investors seeking income, but yield is just one metric. These yields reflect the aggregate dividends paid by the underlying companies in each portfolio. Since EMXC excludes China, its yield profile is determined by companies in other emerging markets, which may have different payout behaviours compared to Chinese firms included in IEMG.

Which fund has a longer track record?

IEMG has a longer track record, having been launched on October 18, 2012. EMXC is a more recent fund, launched on July 18, 2017. A longer history allows investors to observe how the fund has performed through various market cycles. However, since IEMG includes China and EMXC excludes it, their historical performance reflects different geographic exposures, meaning past results for one are not directly applicable to the strategy of the other.

How does excluding China affect potential market exposure?

Excluding China removes the largest single component of most emerging market indices. For EMXC, this means its performance will diverge from traditional emerging market benchmarks during periods when Chinese markets outperform or underperform other emerging economies. This provides a distinct avenue for investors who wish to access growth in countries like India, Brazil, or South Korea without being influenced by China's economic policies, regulatory changes, or market volatility.

Why is the size of the fund important?

Fund size, or net assets, influences liquidity and stability. IEMG has $161.8 billion in net assets, while EMXC has $25.4 billion. Larger funds typically offer tighter bid-ask spreads and deeper liquidity, making it easier to buy and sell shares without significantly affecting the price. While both are substantial, the larger asset base of IEMG may provide slightly better trading conditions for very large transactions, though both are generally considered liquid by standard measures.

What should investors know about sector weight availability?

Currently, specific sector weight data is not available for either EMXC or IEMG in this dataset. This limits the ability to assess how concentrated each fund is in industries like financials, technology, or consumer discretionary. Without this transparency, investors cannot easily determine if one fund is more exposed to a particular sector risk than the other, which is a critical factor in evaluating portfolio construction and diversification effects.

What do 'not available' fields in the data mean?

Fields marked 'not available', such as sector weights and IEMG's top holdings, indicate that this specific data was not provided in the source dataset. This does not necessarily mean the data doesn't exist, but rather it is not accessible for comparison in this context. Investors should treat these as gaps in information and seek additional sources if detailed portfolio analysis is required for their personal research process.

How should beginners interpret this comparison?

Beginners should view this comparison as a snapshot of structural differences like fees, size, and geographic scope. The choice between including China (IEMG) or excluding it (EMXC) depends on individual views on China's role in an emerging market portfolio. The fee difference favours IEMG, but EMXC offers a specific niche. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy either fund.

EMXC vs IEMG

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

Compare EMXC and IEMG: expense ratios of 0.25% and 0.09%, net assets of $25.4 billion and $161.8 billion, and dividend yields of 1.88% and 2.15%. Review holdings and track their market focus. No sector weights listed. Educational content, not financial advice.

Compare EMXC and IEMG: expense ratios of 0.25% and 0.09%, net assets of $25.4 billion and $161.8 billion, and dividend yields of 1.88% and 2.15%. Review holdings and track their market focus. No secto...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

EMXC

Metric

IEMG

0.25%

Expense Ratio

0.09%

1.88%

Dividend Yield

2.15%

$25.44B

Net Assets

$161.78B

632

Holdings

2,925

Jul 18, 2017

Inception Date

Oct 18, 2012

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Index Tracked

–

Diversified Emerging Mkts

Fund Category

Diversified Emerging Mkts

IEMG costs about $16.00 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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Investment Analysis

EMXC

Pros

Lower fee structure suits cost-sensitive investors, at 0.25% expense ratio.
Excluding China offers direct China-risk diversification versus broader emerging market funds.
Substantial assets under management of $25.4 billion supports better trading liquidity.

Considerations

Tracked index specification is not available, limiting assessment of precise methodology.
Sector weight data is not available, obscuring the underlying economic concentration risks.
Only one top holding provided, leaving the full portfolio structure largely unclear.

IEMG

Pros

Lower expense ratio of 0.09% is highly competitive for a broad emerging market fund.
Vast assets of $161.8 billion typically ensure deep liquidity and tighter bid-ask spreads.
Long track record since 2012 provides a meaningful basis for historical analysis.

Considerations

Specific index tracked is not available, restricting independent verification of methodology.
Dividend yield of 2.15% is modest and may limit income-focused investor appeal.
Sector weights not available, preventing detailed assessment of industrial or financial exposure.

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About EMXC and IEMG

EMXC (EMXC)

EMXC is the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF, designed to provide equity exposure to emerging markets while excluding mainland China. It aims to track the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, offering a way for investors to gain diversified exposure across multiple developing economies — such as India, South Korea, Brazil and South Africa — without the concentration that China brings to broader EM benchmarks. As an exchange-traded fund, EMXC trades intraday like a stock and may suit investors seeking a targeted EM sleeve within a global portfolio. Potential benefits include geographic diversification and access to growth markets; risks include higher volatility, currency and political risk, and the possibility of sector or country concentration outside China. This is educational information only — investors should consider their objectives, risk tolerance and costs, and consult a financial professional before investing.

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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