Dividend comparison
IEMG vs SCHE: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
IEMG vs SCHE: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. SCHE is cheaper at 0.06% a year versus 0.09% for IEMG. On $10,000 that is $3 a year less in fees.
- Income. SCHE pays more income, yielding 2.66% over the last twelve months versus 2.32% for IEMG. That is about $33 more a year on $10,000. Both pay semi-annual.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, IEMG returned 35.6% versus 26.3% for SCHE, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $13,559 in IEMG and $12,632 in SCHE.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -32.6% for IEMG and -30.8% for SCHE from peak to trough.
- Diversification. IEMG holds 2,857 positions and SCHE holds 2,233. The ten largest positions make up 32.0% of IEMG and 29.9% of SCHE.
- Overlap. At least 37% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 63 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. SCHE grew its yearly payout 3.1% a year over the last 4 years, versus 0.2% for IEMG.
- Size. IEMG is the larger fund with $152.3 billion in assets, against $12.6 billion for SCHE.
Bottom line: IEMG fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. SCHE fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and faster dividend growth.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | IEMG iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | SCHE Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 2.32% | 2.66% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $1.80 | $0.95 |
| Payout frequency | Semi-annual | Semi-annual |
| Last dividend | $0.6584 on Jun 18, 2026 | $0.0443 on Jun 29, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Jun 15, 2026 | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 0.2% over 4 yrs | 3.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $77.37 | $35.85 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 1 year |
| Beta | 1.01 | 0.87 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -32.6% | -30.8% |
| Market cap | $151.03B | $12.59B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.06% |
| Assets under management | $152.28B | $12.60B |
| Number of holdings | 2857 | 2233 |
| Top 10 concentration | 32.0% | 29.9% |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
IEMG
$19.36/mo
$232 /yr at 2.32% yield
SCHE
$22.13/mo
$266 /yr at 2.66% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. IEMG pays semi-annual; SCHE pays semi-annual.
| Year | IEMG | SCHE |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.8486 | $0.9431 |
| 2024 | $1.6720 | $0.8080 |
| 2023 | $1.4602 | $0.9497 |
| 2022 | $1.2633 | $0.6927 |
| 2021 | $1.8319 | $0.8340 |
Strategy: International equity
Funds that hold companies outside the United States, either across developed markets like Europe, Japan and Canada, across emerging markets like China, India and Taiwan, or both. Index providers disagree on edge cases such as whether South Korea is developed or emerging and whether small caps or Canada are included, which explains most of the gap between similar-looking funds. Dividend yields are usually higher than in the US market.
Returns are exposed to currency moves and to political and regulatory risk that US investors do not face at home, and emerging markets add wide swings.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $13,559 in IEMG and $12,632 in SCHE.
| Period | IEMG | SCHE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -5.25% | -2.69% |
| 3 months | 0.51% | 1.39% |
| Year to date | 15.10% | 9.47% |
| 1 year | 14.12% | 5.72% |
| 3 years | 78.81% | 65.21% |
| 5 years | 35.59% | 26.32% |
- IEMG
- SCHE
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- IEMG
- SCHE
IEMG vs SCHE holdings overlap
At least 37% overlap by weight, with 63 holdings in common. Overlap adds up the smaller of the two weights for every stock both funds own, so 100% would mean identical portfolios.
| Largest shared holdings | IEMG weight | SCHE weight |
|---|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 13.79% | 17.20% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 2.45% | 3.15% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 1.74% | 2.49% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.42% | 1.82% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 0.79% | 1.05% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.74% | 0.92% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.69% | 0.87% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC BANK | 0.66% | 0.83% |
| ICICIBANK.NSICICI BANK | 0.59% | 0.74% |
| RELIANCE.NSRELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD | 0.55% | 0.81% |
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.
IEMG2857 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 13.79% |
| 005930.KSSAMSUNG ELECTRONICS LTD | 5.67% |
| 000660.KSSK HYNIX | 3.95% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 2.45% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 1.74% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.42% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 0.79% |
| 005935.KSSAMSUNG ELECTRONICS NON VOTING PRE | 0.75% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.74% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.69% |
SCHE2233 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 2330.TWTAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING | 17.20% |
| 0700.HKTENCENT HOLDINGS | 3.15% |
| 9988.HKALIBABA GROUP HOLDING | 2.49% |
| 2454.TWMEDIATEK | 1.82% |
| 0939.HKCHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORP H | 1.05% |
| 2308.TWDELTA ELECTRONICS | 0.92% |
| 2317.TWHON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY | 0.87% |
| HDFCBANK.NSHDFC BANK | 0.83% |
| RELIANCE.NSRELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD | 0.81% |
| GVMXXSSC GOVERNMENT MM GVMXX | 0.78% |
Quick verdict
IEMG fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns. SCHE fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
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Frequently asked questions
Is IEMG or SCHE better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IEMG currently yields 2.32% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while SCHE yields 2.66%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between IEMG and SCHE?
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, IEMG or SCHE?
SCHE has the lower expense ratio. IEMG charges 0.09% a year and SCHE charges 0.06%, a difference of $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, IEMG or SCHE?
Over the last 5 years, IEMG has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: IEMG returned 35.6% and SCHE returned 26.3%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, IEMG or SCHE?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, IEMG has been riskier: IEMG fell as much as 32.6% and SCHE as much as 30.8%. Their betas are 1.01 and 0.87.
How much do IEMG and SCHE overlap?
At least 37% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 63 shared holdings. The largest shared positions are 2330.TW, 0700.HK, 9988.HK. Holding both still adds meaningful diversification.
How often do IEMG and SCHE pay dividends?
Both pay semi-annual. The most recent payments were $0.6584 for IEMG and $0.0443 for SCHE.
How much income does $10,000 in IEMG vs SCHE generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in IEMG would generate roughly $19.36 per month ($232 annually). The same amount in SCHE would produce about $22.13 per month ($266 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both IEMG and SCHE?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare IEMG vs SCHE with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how IEMG and SCHE fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.