iemg stock: IEMG — iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
IEMG — iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
iemg stock is commonly used by investors to refer to the iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (ticker IEMG). This guide explains what the fund seeks to track, how the index is constructed, typical uses in portfolios, costs, trading and tax considerations, and where to find up‑to‑date metrics. The goal is to give beginners and intermediate investors a clear, neutral reference so they can evaluate whether IEMG fits their diversification needs.
Overview
IEMG is an exchange‑traded fund (ETF) issued by BlackRock under its iShares brand. Its stated investment objective is to track the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net, USD), providing broad, market‑cap‑weighted exposure across large‑, mid‑ and small‑cap equities in emerging‑market countries.
Investors refer to the fund as iemg stock when discussing its market trading and price performance. Typical uses include: forming a core allocation to emerging‑markets equities, complementing developed‑market holdings for global diversification, or gaining low‑cost, broad access to EM equity risk.
As of Jan 28, 2026, according to the iShares product page, readers should verify live figures for assets under management, holdings and recent performance because those values change daily.
Key facts
- Issuer: BlackRock (iShares)
- Fund name: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
- Index tracked: MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net, USD)
- Ticker: IEMG (commonly discussed as iemg stock)
- Primary exchange listing: NYSE Arca
- Inception date: October 18, 2012
- Expense ratio: 0.09% (stated expense ratio; confirm prospectus for changes)
- Typical coverage: broad all‑cap exposure across emerging markets (large/mid/small caps)
- Share classes / NAV references: single primary share class; NAV published daily by the fund sponsor
Note: specific numeric values for assets under management and exact holding counts fluctuate. As of Jan 28, 2026, consult the iShares factsheet or prospectus for the latest figures and the precise number of holdings.
History and development
IEMG launched on October 18, 2012, as iShares expanded its suite of emerging‑market ETFs to offer investors an all‑cap alternative to large‑cap‑only products. Since launch, IEMG has grown in both assets and investor recognition as a low‑cost vehicle for broad EM exposure.
Major milestones include the fund's steady asset growth as global investors sought diversified EM exposure and the ongoing evolution of MSCI index methodology that occasionally changes country classifications, market coverage and free‑float adjustments. IEMG sits within iShares’ emerging‑market lineup as the all‑cap option, complementing larger‑cap focused ETFs that track the same or similar indexes but with different coverage rules.
As of Jan 28, 2026, according to issuer disclosures, IEMG remains one of the core, low‑cost all‑cap EM ETFs in the market; readers should check issuer documents for a timeline of material changes or share class adjustments.
Index methodology and construction
The ETF seeks to replicate the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net, USD). MSCI constructs the index using a market‑capitalization weighting across eligible companies in defined emerging‑market countries. The index aims to include representative large, mid and small capitalization companies in each included market, applying eligibility screens such as free‑float thresholds and liquidity requirements.
Important methodology points:
- Market‑cap weighting: Constituents are weighted by free‑float market capitalization, meaning larger companies represent a bigger share of the index and therefore the ETF’s replicated exposure.
- Coverage: The index captures large‑, mid‑ and small‑cap segments in the defined EM universe to provide broad market coverage rather than being limited to large‑caps only.
- Reconstitution and rebalancing: MSCI typically rebalances and reconstitutes its indexes on a regular cadence (quarterly reviews are common, with some interim maintenance). These events may add/remove constituents or change index weights.
- Net returns version: The tracked series is net of withholding taxes on dividends (Net, USD), which affects the index total‑return calculation.
ETF implementation: IEMG typically uses full replication or representative sampling methods depending on liquidity and operational efficiency. Full replication is common for broad, highly investable indexes; however, sampling may be used for less liquid segments or to manage trading costs. The fund’s prospectus and factsheet describe the exact replication method in effect.
Holdings and portfolio composition
Top holdings
A “Top holdings” section for IEMG normally lists the largest company weightings by percentage of the fund’s net assets. For an all‑cap emerging markets ETF, top positions are often large regional technology companies, major consumer or financial firms, and large industrials from top EM countries. Holdings change with market movements and periodic index rebalances, so the current top holdings should be verified on the issuer’s website.
Remember: when people discuss iemg stock they may refer to the ETF’s market price, which can trade at slight premiums or discounts to NAV affecting realized position values if bought or sold intraday.
Sector and country allocations
IEMG’s sector and country breakdowns reflect the sector composition and economic weight of the emerging‑market universe as defined by MSCI. Historically, technology, financials and consumer discretionary sectors can represent significant allocations, with country concentration in the largest EM markets by market capitalization.
- Sector allocations: Expect material weightings in information technology and financials, with cyclical exposure (consumer discretionary, industrials) and smaller allocations to staples, energy and materials depending on market cycles.
- Country allocations: Large EM economies typically have greater index weight — country weights shift as markets rise/fall or as index methodology evolves.
These allocations can change quickly: sector rotation, major market moves, and index reconstitutions will affect how much exposure IEMG provides to any given sector or country. Always check dated holdings files for up‑to‑date weights.
Market‑cap exposure
A defining feature of IEMG is its all‑cap exposure. Unlike EM ETFs that limit holdings to large‑cap companies, IEMG includes mid and small caps in addition to large caps. This broad market‑cap exposure typically results in a more diversified, higher‑count portfolio and can increase exposure to faster‑growing but often less liquid segments of local markets.
All‑cap exposure may increase both the return potential and volatility relative to large‑cap‑only EM ETFs; investors should weigh these tradeoffs based on horizon and liquidity needs.
Performance
Performance analysis for IEMG should include multiple lenses:
- NAV total return: The fund’s performance measured by changes in NAV including reinvested distributions.
- Market price return: The return based on the ETF’s trading price, which can diverge slightly from NAV returns due to intraday supply/demand.
- Calendar‑year returns: Year‑by‑year performance to show variability across market cycles.
- Multi‑year annualized returns: 3‑, 5‑ and 10‑year annualized returns to illustrate longer‑term trends.
- Year‑to‑date (YTD) performance and trailing periods: Common trailing windows include 1‑month, 3‑month, 1‑year and longer.
- Benchmark comparison: Compare fund returns to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net, USD) to assess tracking.
- Tracking error: The standard deviation of the difference between fund returns and index returns, useful to evaluate replication effectiveness.
When reviewing performance, use the fund’s official performance reports, prospectus, or reputable data providers. As of Jan 28, 2026, investors should rely on the iShares performance page and audited factsheets for the latest returns and trailing statistics.
Fees and expenses
IEMG’s headline fee is the expense ratio, which covers management fees and operating costs deducted from the fund’s assets. The stated expense ratio is 0.09% (consult the prospectus for confirmation and any class‑specific fees).
Additional costs to investors that affect realized returns include:
- Bid/ask spreads: The difference between purchase and sale price when trading the ETF on an exchange.
- Brokerage commissions: Fees charged by the investor’s broker (varies by platform; Bitget offers trading services and fee schedules readers can consult).
- Market impact and slippage: Costs from executing large orders in less liquid markets or at volatile times.
- Creation/redemption fees: Operational fees may be borne by authorized participants facilitating ETF creation/redemption; retail investors typically do not pay these directly but they affect overall fund efficiency.
Lower internal costs like a modest expense ratio can meaningfully improve long‑term returns, especially for passive allocations held across market cycles.
Trading and liquidity
IEMG trades on an exchange like a listed stock, with intraday pricing and the ability to buy or sell at market or limit prices. When discussing trading aspects of the fund, people will refer to iemg stock because they are focused on the market trading price as opposed to the NAV.
- Intraday trading: Trades execute during market hours at the live market price.
- Liquidity measures: Average daily volume, bid/ask spread, and quoted depth are common metrics. Higher average volumes and tighter spreads generally improve execution quality.
- ETF creation/redemption mechanism: Authorized participants create or redeem ETF shares in large blocks, which helps align market price with NAV and supports liquidity.
For trade execution, Bitget’s platform (recommended in this guide) provides market access, order types and fee schedules that investors can use to trade ETFs subject to availability. Check Bitget for the latest trading pairs, local market access and commission details.
Distributions and tax treatment
IEMG distributes dividends received from underlying holdings on a periodic basis. Distribution frequency (e.g., quarterly) and yield vary over time based on dividend payouts from constituent companies and fund income.
Tax treatment highlights:
- U.S. taxable accounts: Dividends distributed by an ETF are typically taxable in the year received; some foreign‑sourced dividends may be subject to withholding taxes before they reach the fund (the tracked index uses a net returns series to reflect withholding implications in performance calculations).
- Tax‑advantaged accounts: Holding the ETF within tax‑advantaged accounts (such as IRAs where available) defers or eliminates immediate tax on distributions depending on account rules.
- Withholding and foreign tax credits: Foreign withholding on dividends paid by companies domiciled outside the U.S. can affect yields and may be eligible for foreign tax credits depending on investor circumstances.
Tax rules are complex and vary by jurisdiction; readers should consult a qualified tax advisor for personal advice.
Risks
IEMG carries risks common to emerging‑market equity exposure as well as ETF‑specific risks:
- Emerging‑market equity risk: Political, economic and regulatory risks in EM countries can be greater than in developed markets and can cause higher volatility or losses.
- Currency risk: Underlying holdings are often denominated in local currencies; exchange‑rate movements versus the investor’s home currency affect returns.
- Concentration risk: The ETF’s weight in certain large EM countries or sectors can create concentration if a few countries or sectors dominate the index.
- Liquidity risk: Smaller‑cap holdings and less liquid local markets can increase trading costs and lead to larger price moves in stressed market conditions.
- Tracking error: Discrepancies between the fund and the index may arise due to fees, sampling, transaction costs and dividend treatment.
- Market risk: As with any equity investment, the fund’s market price can fall due to broader equity market declines.
These risks underline the importance of matching exposure to time horizon and risk tolerance; the guide remains neutral and does not provide investment advice.
Role in a portfolio and investment considerations
IEMG often serves as a core emerging‑markets allocation for diversified portfolios. Common roles include:
- Core EM sleeve: A single fund providing broad exposure to EM equities across market caps.
- Complement to developed markets: Balancing domestic or developed market holdings to achieve global diversification.
- Tactical exposure: Shorter‑term tactical allocations for investors seeking EM risk on a time‑limited basis (requires active monitoring).
Considerations when evaluating IEMG for a portfolio:
- Time horizon: Emerging markets can be volatile; longer horizons tend to smooth short‑term swings.
- Risk tolerance: Higher expected volatility compared with developed markets.
- Rebalancing: Periodic rebalancing may be required to maintain target allocations because EM performance can drift from targets quickly.
- Exposure overlap: Check overlap with other global or regional ETFs to avoid unintended concentration.
For execution and custody, Bitget provides a trading platform with resources for order placement and monitoring; use Bitget Wallet if holding related digital assets where applicable.
Comparison with similar ETFs
When comparing IEMG with other EM ETFs, focus on:
- Index tracked: Some ETFs follow MSCI EM, others follow FTSE EM or proprietary indexes — index rules affect coverage and country/sector weights.
- Coverage: All‑cap (IEMG) vs large‑cap only ETFs — the broader coverage increases holdings count and small‑cap exposure.
- Expense ratio: Lower fees can compound into better net outcomes over long horizons.
- Holdings overlap: Many EM ETFs hold the same large EM companies, but weightings and small‑cap exposure differ.
Key comparison factors: tracking difference to benchmark, number of holdings, expense ratio, average daily liquidity, and current yield. Use official fund documents and data providers for apples‑to‑apples comparison with dated snapshots.
Regulatory and provider information
- Sponsor: BlackRock (iShares product line)
- Listing: NYSE Arca (ticker IEMG)
- Prospectus and factsheets: Available from the issuer; these documents detail fees, risks, holdings, and operations.
- Identifiers: Ticker IEMG; CUSIP and other identifiers are listed in the fund prospectus and official filings.
For regulatory filings such as the annual report and SEC filings, consult the issuer’s investor relations materials and regulatory repositories. As of Jan 28, 2026, confirm the latest prospectus from iShares for updated legal disclosures.
References
Authoritative sources to consult for up‑to‑date figures and official fund documentation include:
- The fund prospectus and issuer factsheet (iShares / BlackRock)
- Index methodology documentation from MSCI
- Major financial data providers and market data services for performance and historical metrics (e.g., Morningstar, Yahoo Finance, professional terminals)
- SEC filings and official ETF reports
As of Jan 28, 2026, according to the iShares product page, investors should verify AUM, holdings and trailing returns on the fund’s official pages since those items change frequently.
External links
For primary documents and live data, consult the official iShares product page, ETF fact sheet and prospectus on the issuer site, and major market data pages for performance snapshots. Use Bitget’s platform for trading access and Bitget Wallet for supported custody where relevant. (This guide intentionally does not include external URLs.)
See also
- Emerging markets investing
- MSCI Emerging Markets Index
- Exchange‑traded funds (ETFs)
- All‑cap vs large‑cap ETF strategies
Notes on sourcing and currency of data
Specific numeric data — assets under management, NAV/share price, holdings weights and yield — are updated frequently. Any such figures should be dated and sourced when used. This article references static facts (inception date, expense ratio as published) and points readers to issuer pages for live numbers.
As of Jan 28, 2026, according to iShares, the fund’s published factsheet remains the authoritative source for dated holdings and AUM. For daily trading figures, consult your market data provider or trading platform (Bitget is recommended for order execution in this guide).
Practical checklist before trading iemg stock
- Verify the latest fund fact sheet and prospectus for expense ratio and holdings (dated source).
- Compare NAV vs market price and check recent bid/ask spread on the exchange or trading platform.
- Confirm tax treatment in your jurisdiction and distribution schedule.
- Review your portfolio allocation and rebalancing rules to avoid unintended overlap.
- Execute orders using limit orders if market volatility or wider spreads are present; consult Bitget for order types and fees.
Final notes and next steps
If you want to track or trade iemg stock, start by reading the latest iShares factsheet and the ETF’s prospectus, check real‑time quotes and spreads on your trading platform, and consider how an all‑cap emerging‑markets allocation fits your overall investment plan. Explore Bitget for trading access and Bitget Wallet for custody solutions if you use Bitget’s services.
Further exploration: review MSCI’s index methodology, compare IEMG with other EM ETFs by index and expense ratio, and consult a qualified financial or tax advisor for personal guidance.
As of Jan 28, 2026, according to iShares product information and issuer documents, investors should verify up‑to‑date AUM and holdings on the official fund pages before making trading decisions.
