iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • Emerging Markets
Expense Ratio
0.09%
AUM
$75.0B
Dividend Yield
2.50%
Inception
2012
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF?
IEMG tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index, offering broad exposure to stocks in developing economies like China, India, Taiwan, South Korea, and Brazil. With over 2,800 holdings, it covers large, mid, and small-cap companies across more than 20 emerging market countries. The fund provides access to faster-growing economies at a significantly lower cost than the older EEM fund.
IEMG is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2012. With $75.0B in assets under management, it's a well-established fund with strong institutional backing. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.09%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $9 per year in management fees.
IEMG at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% |
| Total Holdings | 2,800 |
| P/E Ratio | 14.5 |
| Beta | 0.90 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.50% |
| AUM | $75.0B |
| Inception Year | 2012 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in IEMG
IEMG holds 2,800 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taiwan Semiconductor | TSM | 8.00% |
| 2 | Samsung Electronics | 005930.KS | 4.00% |
| 3 | Tencent Holdings | TCEHY | 3.50% |
| 4 | Alibaba Group | BABA | 2.50% |
| 5 | Reliance Industries | RELIANCE.NS | 1.80% |
| 6 | Infosys | INFY | 1.40% |
| 7 | Meituan | 3690.HK | 1.30% |
| 8 | China Construction Bank | 0939.HK | 1.20% |
| 9 | SK Hynix | 000660.KS | 1.20% |
| 10 | PDD Holdings | PDD | 1.10% |
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IEMG Performance History
Here's how IEMG has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
2.00%
1 Year
8.00%
3 Year
1.00%
5 Year
4.00%
10 Year
4.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
IEMG scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 2,800 holdings, and has been available since 2012, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy IEMG — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "IEMG" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into IEMG
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With IEMG's expense ratio of 0.09%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $771 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is a reasonable fee level for the value provided.
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Pros and Cons of IEMG
Pros
- ✓Extremely broad emerging markets exposure with over 2,800 holdings across all cap sizes
- ✓Low 0.09% expense ratio makes it far cheaper than the legacy EEM fund
- ✓Access to faster-growing economies that may outperform developed markets long-term
- ✓Massive AUM provides excellent liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads
Cons
- ✗Emerging markets carry higher political, regulatory, and currency risk
- ✗Significant volatility with deep drawdowns during global risk-off events
- ✗Heavy concentration in China and Taiwan creates geographic risk
IEMG vs Similar ETFs
See how IEMG stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IEMG a good ETF for beginners?▾
IEMG has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of IEMG?▾
IEMG has an expense ratio of 0.09%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $9 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in IEMG?▾
You can invest in IEMG with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does IEMG pay dividends?▾
Yes, IEMG pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 2.50%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in IEMG?▾
The top holdings in IEMG include Taiwan Semiconductor (8.00%), Samsung Electronics (4.00%), Tencent Holdings (3.50%), and more. The fund holds 2,800 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.