ETF Versus

HDV vs IEMG

iShares Core High Dividend ETF vs iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-02

HDV iShares

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.08%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 2.96%. Launched in 2011, the fund has a 15-year track record.

AUM: $13.5B ER: 0.08% Yield: 2.96% Since: Mar 29, 2011
IEMG iShares

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to stocks in emerging market economies with higher growth potential. It charges a low expense ratio of 0.09%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 2.63%. Launched in 2012, the fund has a 14-year track record.

AUM: $132.2B ER: 0.09% Yield: 2.63% Since: Oct 18, 2012

Quick Verdict

Both funds have nearly identical expense ratios (0.08% vs 0.09%), so fees are not a differentiator here. Over the past year, IEMG has significantly outperformed with a 29.6% return vs 11.2%.

Key Metrics

Metric HDV IEMG
Expense Ratio 0.08% 0.09%
Dividend Yield 3.0% 2.6%
Fund Family iShares iShares
Category US Dividend Emerging Markets

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

65 81 97 113 129 145 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
HDV +39.8%
IEMG +7.7%

Performance Comparison

Period HDV IEMG Difference
1 Month -4.43% -6.83% +2.40%
3 Months +9.57% +1.86% +7.71%
6 Months +9.49% +5.01% +4.48%
YTD +9.57% +1.86% +7.71%
1 Year +11.17% +29.64% -18.47%
3 Years +30.22% +43.63% -13.41%
5 Years +39.76% +7.71% +32.05%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period HDV Fees IEMG Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $159 $179 $20
$10.000 20 years $686 $771 $85
$10.000 30 years $2.212 $2.486 $273
$50.000 10 years $797 $896 $99
$50.000 30 years $11.061 $12.428 $1.366
$100.000 30 years $22.123 $24.855 $2.732

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric HDV IEMG
Annualized Volatility 13.0% 18.1%
Max Drawdown -16.9% -38.5%
Sharpe Ratio 0.24 -0.08

Dividend Comparison

Metric HDV IEMG
Annual Dividend (per share) $3.96 $1.85
Dividend Yield 2.96% 2.63%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Semi-Annual or Annual

Top Holdings

0 of top 10 holdings overlap (0% overlap in top holdings)

HDV Top Holdings

NameWeight
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM9.48%
Chevron CorporationCVX7.13%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ6.04%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV5.48%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG4.40%
Philip Morris International Inc.PM4.20%
Merck & Co., Inc.MRK4.20%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD4.05%
The Progressive CorporationPGR3.80%
The Coca-Cola CompanyKO3.77%

IEMG Top Holdings

NameWeight
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited!tpe/233011.60%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.!krx/0059304.66%
Tencent Holdings Limited!hkg/07003.32%
SK hynix Inc.!krx/0006602.75%
Alibaba Group Holding Limited!hkg/99882.22%
China Construction Bank Corporation!hkg/09390.82%
Delta Electronics, Inc.!tpe/23080.76%
HDFC Bank Limited!nse/HDFCBANK0.75%
Reliance Industries Limited!nse/RELIANCE0.71%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.!tpe/23170.65%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose IEMG if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Choose HDV if...

you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.

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