Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM) belongs to the Emerging Markets Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with DFEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to DFEM
DFEM charges 0.39% annually. There are 36 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.07%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 0.07% | 258.70M | Sep 2025 | DFEM vs VEXC | |
| SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.07% | 16.81B | Mar 2007 | DFEM vs SPEM | |
| Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0.08% | 163.30B | Mar 2005 | DFEM vs VWO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 0.09% | 152.22B | Oct 2012 | DFEM vs IEMG | |
| Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 0.11% | 12.59B | Jan 2010 | DFEM vs SCHE |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to DFEM
DFEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 55. There are 71 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 91 | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | DFEM vs EMEQ | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 90 | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFEM vs GEME | |
| iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 90 | — | Sep 2024 | DFEM vs EVLU | |
| First Trust Bloomberg Emerging Market Democracies ... | 90 | 38.85M | Mar 2023 | DFEM vs EMDM | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 87 | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | DFEM vs FTHF |
Top Performing DFEM Alternatives (YTD)
DFEM is at 14.75% YTD. There are 67 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 53.76%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 53.76% | 658.42M | Sep 2024 | DFEM vs EMEQ | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Human Flourishing ETF | 34.68% | 123.28M | Oct 2023 | DFEM vs FTHF | |
| Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF | 31.48% | 139.63M | Jan 2023 | DFEM vs STXE | |
| Matthews Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Activ... | 30.73% | 43.26M | Sep 2023 | DFEM vs EMSF | |
| Pacific North of South Global Emerging Markets Equ... | 29.70% | 366.05M | Jan 2025 | DFEM vs GEME |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to DFEM
DFEM has 22.46% 1-year volatility. There are 58 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 8.64%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | 8.64% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | DFEM vs EJAN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - June | 10.70% | — | Jun 2025 | DFEM vs TJUN | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | 11.07% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFEM vs TDEC | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | 11.68% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | DFEM vs EMDV | |
| First Trust Emerging Markets Equity Select ETF | 12.51% | 17.22M | Jun 2017 | DFEM vs RNEM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to DFEM
DFEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -13.84%. There are 54 ETFs in the Emerging Markets Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -6.63%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Innovator Emerging Markets Power Buffer ETF Januar... | -6.63% | 144.99M | Jan 2020 | DFEM vs EJAN | |
| ProShares MSCI Emerging Markets Dividend Growers E... | -7.24% | 7.35M | Jan 2016 | DFEM vs EMDV | |
| WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund | -7.89% | 3.87B | Jul 2007 | DFEM vs DEM | |
| FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December | -8.16% | 10.25M | Dec 2024 | DFEM vs TDEC | |
| Pacer Emerging Markets Cash Cows 100 ETF | -8.35% | 217.49M | May 2019 | DFEM vs ECOW |
Other ETFs from Dimensional
The 10 most viewed Dimensional ETFs shown here include DFUS, DFIV, DFAW and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $48B.
Often Compared With DFEM
Investors most often compare DFEM with DFAE, AVEM, DFCEX. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare DFEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare DFEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair DFEM with funds that move differently
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to DFEM.
Explore DFEM Diversifiers