IEMG ETF — iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG)

Updated October 2, 2026.

IEMG is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index. its distribution rate is 1.60%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.18%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 70/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 137.3% over the past 13.9 years, 445.0 points behind SPY at 582.3%.

At the current 1.60% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $160 per year, or about $80.00 per semi-annual payment if the next payment matches the last regular one.

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is an equity fund that tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, providing broad exposure to large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks across emerging markets globally. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate with semi-annual distributions and has a very low expense ratio of 0.09%. The fund appeals to investors seeking emerging markets equity exposure with a low-cost, passively managed approach.

IEMG performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 137.3% over the past 13.9 years, 445.0 points behind SPY at 582.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 26.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 13.8%.

IEMG key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

70 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.12%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

10/18/2012

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

1.60%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

2.18%

Last close

$82.36 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$163,746,585,829

Market cap

$89,785,409,536

Average volume

9986700.0

Last dividend

$0.658

Last ex-dividend date

06/15/2026

Last payment date

06/18/2026

Beta

1.01

P/E ratio

14.2406

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.60%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (2.18%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: iShares or company page; Index: MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

IEMG risks and drawbacks

IEMG's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are semi-annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 13.8%.

Who may consider IEMG — and who may not

IEMG may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (IEMG pays semi-annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare IEMG

IEMG vs similar funds:

• IEMG vs VWO
• IEMG vs EEM
• IEMG vs EEM vs VWO

Frequently asked questions

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