iShares

Emerging Markets ETFs

Why include emerging markets in a portfolio?

An allocation to emerging market ETFs provides diversification and can enhance a portfolio's risk/return profile. By offering access to companies—and even entire industries—that may not exist in the United States, as well as the growth potential associated with fast-growing economies, emerging market equities can be important to portfolio strategies.

Historically, emerging market equities have exhibited higher levels of volatility than developed market stocks. Investors should be aware of and comfortable with this higher risk profile when investing in emerging markets.

Portfolio applications for emerging markets

Strategic ETF allocation to emerging markets can provide diversification benefits. Investors might consider emerging markets for a portion of their broader international exposure, or as a "satellite" asset class in a core/satellite portfolio strategy.

Emerging market allocations may also be used tactically to capitalize on near-term opportunities in specific regions, countries, or economic sectors.

Using emerging market ETFs for both strategic and tactical applications offers a number of benefits: chief among them being ease of access, liquidity, and cost efficiency. View related funds below, or a full listing of our Emerging Markets ETFs.
Related Funds
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
EEMS
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index Fund NEW
LEMB
iShares Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond Fund NEW
BKF
iShares MSCI BRIC Index Fund
ILF
iShares S&P Latin America 40 Index Fund
AAXJ
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index Fund
EPU
iShares MSCI All Peru Capped Index Fund
MCHI
iShares MSCI China Index Fund
FXI
iShares FTSE China 25 Index Fund
FCHI
iShares FTSE China (HK Listed) Index Fund
EZA
iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund
EWT
iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund
EWM
iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund

Carefully consider the iShares Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-iShares (1-800-474-2737), or by viewing or downloading a prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Asset allocation and diversification may not protect against market risk.

Buying and selling shares of iShares Funds will result in brokerage commissions. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares of an ETF will develop or be maintained.

In addition to the normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations. Emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors as well as increased volatility and lower trading volume. Narrowly focused investments, securities focusing on a single country and investments in smaller companies may be subject to higher volatility.

The strategies discussed are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell, or an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There is no guarantee that any strategies discussed will be effective.

The iShares Funds ("Funds") are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. ("SEI"). BlackRock Fund Advisors ("BFA") serves as the investment advisor to the Funds. BFA is a subsidiary of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., neither of which is affiliated with SEI.

The iShares Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC, European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA®"), FTSE International Limited ("FTSE"), iBoxx®, JPMorgan Chase & Co., MSCI Inc., Morningstar, Inc., The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc., National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"), New York Stock Exchange, Inc., Russell Investment Group or Standard & Poor's, nor are they sponsored, endorsed or issued by Barclays Capital. None of these companies make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Funds. Neither SEI, nor BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., nor any of their affiliates, are affiliated with the companies listed above.

Neither FTSE nor NAREIT makes any warranty regarding the FTSE NAREIT Real Estate 50/Residential/Retail/Mortgage or Industrial/Office Index; all rights vest in NAREIT. Neither FTSE nor NAREIT makes any warranty regarding the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate ex-US/North America/Europe/Asia Index; all rights vest in FTSE, NAREIT and EPRA. All rights in the FTSE Developed Small Cap ex-North America Index vest in FTSE. "FTSE®" is a trademark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and The Financial Times Limited and is used by FTSE under license.

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