ETF Versus

EEM vs HDV

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF vs iShares Core High Dividend ETF

Last updated: 2026-04-02

EEM iShares

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to stocks in emerging market economies with higher growth potential. It charges a high expense ratio of 0.72%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.12%. Launched in 2003, the fund has a 23-year track record.

AUM: $24.5B ER: 0.72% Yield: 2.12% Since: Apr 7, 2003
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

Quick Verdict

HDV is significantly cheaper at 0.08% vs 0.72% expense ratio, saving you approximately $1.237 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, EEM has significantly outperformed with a 30.5% return vs 11.2%. Income investors may prefer HDV for its higher yield (3.0% vs 2.1%).

Key Metrics

Metric EEM HDV
Expense Ratio 0.72% 0.08%
Dividend Yield 2.1% 3.0%
Fund Family iShares iShares
Category Emerging Markets US Dividend

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

60 77 94 111 128 145 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
EEM +5.8%
HDV +39.8%

Performance Comparison

Period EEM HDV Difference
1 Month -6.94% -4.43% -2.51%
3 Months +1.76% +9.57% -7.81%
6 Months +5.53% +9.49% -3.96%
YTD +1.76% +9.57% -7.81%
1 Year +30.54% +11.17% +19.37%
3 Years +44.74% +30.22% +14.52%
5 Years +5.84% +39.76% -33.92%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period EEM Fees HDV Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $1.397 $159 $1.237
$10.000 20 years $5.836 $686 $5.151
$10.000 30 years $18.296 $2.212 $16.083
$50.000 10 years $6.984 $797 $6.187
$50.000 30 years $91.478 $11.061 $80.417
$100.000 30 years $182.957 $22.123 $160.834

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric EEM HDV
Annualized Volatility 18.6% 13.0%
Max Drawdown -39.5% -16.9%
Sharpe Ratio -0.09 0.24

Dividend Comparison

Metric EEM HDV
Annual Dividend (per share) $1.22 $3.96
Dividend Yield 2.12% 2.96%
Distribution Frequency Semi-Annual or Annual Quarterly

Top Holdings

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

EEM Top Holdings

NameWeight
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited!tpe/233013.38%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.!krx/0059305.37%
Tencent Holdings Limited!hkg/07003.82%
SK hynix Inc.!krx/0006603.17%
Alibaba Group Holding Limited!hkg/99882.55%
China Construction Bank Corporation!hkg/09390.95%
Delta Electronics, Inc.!tpe/23080.88%
HDFC Bank Limited!nse/HDFCBANK0.87%
Reliance Industries Limited!nse/RELIANCE0.82%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.!tpe/23170.75%

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%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose HDV if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose EEM 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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