IEMG vs SPY: which was the better investment?
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Oct 24, 2012 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did IEMG beat SPY?
No — measured from Oct 24, 2012 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, SPY came out ahead: $67,860 versus $23,375 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 15.0% annual return against 6.4%.
What would $10,000 in IEMG be worth today?
$10,000 invested in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) on Oct 24, 2012 would be worth about $23,375 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 133.7% (6.4% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $67,860.
Which was riskier — IEMG or SPY?
IEMG swung with an annualized volatility of 19.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -38.7%; SPY ran at 16.8% volatility with a -33.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.22 for IEMG vs 0.77 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Oct 24, 2012 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with IEMG vs SPY. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.