EEM vs NSI
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF vs National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF
Which is better, EEM or NSI?
EEM has been ahead.
EEM has a lower expense ratio. EEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EEM is less concentrated, with 39.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EEM | NSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $30.4B | $43M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.67% | 1.21% |
| Holdings | 1,224 | 204 |
| YTD Return | +15.09%Best | +8.60% |
| 1Y Return | +23.94%Best | +17.93% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.98% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.13% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.3% | -16.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,818Best | $16,304 |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.4%Best | 50.4% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | National Security Index |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2003 | Dec 6, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (2.9 years).
EEM vs NSI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.9 years both funds cover.
EEM vs NSI Performance
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) is an ETF from National Security Index. Over the past year EEM returned +23.94% while NSI returned +17.93%. Year to date, EEM is up 15.09% versus a gain of 8.60% for NSI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 12.9% for NSI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -17.3% for EEM and -16.6% for NSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EEM charges 0.72% per year while NSI charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $75 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EEM currently yields 1.67% against 1.21% for NSI.
Holdings Overlap
19.2% of EEM's money is in holdings NSI also owns. 40.3% of NSI's money is in holdings EEM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
25 positions in common, counted across the 1,162 positions we hold weights for in EEM and 99 in NSI, against full books of 1,224 and 204.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 29 positions for NSI that do not appear in our book for EEM (20.8% of the fund), and 6 for EEM that do not appear in NSI (0.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EEM | Weight in NSI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 15.69% | 15.50% | 0.19% |
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares | 0.52% | 10.07% | 9.55% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.79% | 3.47% | 2.68% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc. | 0.32% | 2.15% | 1.83% |
| 9999:HKNetease Inc | 0.35% | 1.99% | 1.64% |
| YMM:SHFull Truck A-Adr | 0.05% | 1.10% | 1.05% |
| AMX:MXAmérica Móvil, Sab De Cv, Class B (Adr) | 0.13% | 0.81% | 0.68% |
| INFY:MBInfosys Ltd.-Adr | 0.26% | 0.61% | 0.35% |
| GFI:ZAGold Fields Limited Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 0.26% | 0.47% | 0.21% |
| BBD:BVBanco Bradesco-Adr Npv | 0.04% | 0.52% | 0.48% |
40.3% of NSI is already inside EEM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EEM or NSI?
EEM has an expense ratio of 0.72% while NSI charges 0.75%. EEM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EEM or NSI?
Over the past year EEM returned +23.94% vs +17.93% for NSI, so EEM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EEM or NSI?
EEM has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 12.9% for NSI. Worst drawdown: EEM -17.3% vs NSI -16.6%.
Should I hold both EEM and NSI?
EEM and NSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EEM and NSI?
40.3% of NSI's money is in holdings EEM also owns. 40.3% of NSI's is in holdings EEM also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 1,162 positions we hold weights for in EEM and 99 in NSI.
Which pays a higher dividend, EEM or NSI?
EEM yields 1.67% while NSI yields 1.21%, so EEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NSI better than EEM?
EEM has a lower expense ratio. EEM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. EEM is less concentrated, with 39.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.