FEMB vs LEMB
First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF compared with iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FEMB
First Trust Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
LEMB
iShares J.P. Morgan EM Local Currency Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- LEMB yields more today: 28.12% vs 6.26% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year LEMB delivered the higher total return: +8.8% vs +8.6% (price change plus payouts).
- LEMB is cheaper to own: 0.30% vs 0.85% expense ratio.
- FEMB has the steadier distribution: consistency 92/100 vs 0/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FEMB | LEMB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $29.73 | $43.31 |
| TTM yield | 6.26% | 2.34% |
| Forward yield | 6.26% | 28.12% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.86 | $12.18 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 20, 2026 (est.) | Sep 15, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.85% | 0.30% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 92/100 | 0/100 |
| 1-year total return | +8.6% | +8.8% |
| 1-year price return | +2.2% | +6.3% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 382.1M | 721.2M |
| Years paying | 11.8 | 14.8 |
| Sector / category | Emerging-Markets Local-Currency Bond | Emerging-Markets Local-Currency Bond |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| FEMB | LEMB | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 336.4 | 230.9 |
| Income per year | $626 | $2,812 |
| Income per month (avg) | $52 | $234 |
At forward yields, before taxes. Model FEMB · Model LEMB
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEMB Sep 20, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | $0.155 | Est. |
| FEMB Oct 20, 2026 | Oct 28, 2026 | $0.155 | Est. |
| FEMB Nov 19, 2026 | Nov 27, 2026 | $0.155 | Est. |
| LEMB Sep 15, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | $1.015 | Est. |
| LEMB Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | $1.015 | Est. |
| LEMB Nov 14, 2026 | Nov 28, 2026 | $1.015 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FEMBLEMB
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, FEMB or LEMB?
FEMB currently has the higher trailing yield: FEMB yields 6.26% and LEMB yields 2.34%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FEMB and LEMB pay?
FEMB pays every month and LEMB pays every month. FEMB's next ex-date is Sep 20, 2026 and LEMB's is Sep 15, 2026.
Is FEMB or LEMB better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FEMB and LEMB differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.