AVEEX vs. CEMFX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

AVEEX (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and CEMFX (Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, AVEEX returned 8.67%/yr vs 12.54%/yr for CEMFX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AVEEX charges 0.33%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for CEMFX.

Performance

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund (AVEEX) and Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund (CEMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with AVEEX having a 20.99% return and CEMFX slightly higher at 21.63%.

AVEEX

• 1D: -4.95%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 20.99%
• 6M: 21.40%
• 1Y: 38.73%
• 3Y*: 23.30%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —

CEMFX

• 1D: -3.10%
• 1M: -1.35%
• YTD: 21.63%
• 6M: 22.62%
• 1Y: 44.64%
• 3Y*: 24.99%
• 5Y*: 12.54%
• 10Y*: 11.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AVEEX Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund	20.99%	32.09%	7.68%	15.15%	-18.15%	5.21%	15.72%	7.38%
CEMFX Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund	21.63%	31.39%	9.51%	26.45%	-16.15%	6.74%	8.70%	7.32%

Correlation

The correlation between AVEEX and CEMFX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2019	0.84

The correlation between AVEEX and CEMFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AVEEX vs. CEMFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AVEEX

AVEEX Risk / Return Rank: 72
AVEEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
AVEEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
AVEEX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
AVEEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AVEEX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

CEMFX

CEMFX Risk / Return Rank: 85
CEMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
CEMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
CEMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
CEMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
CEMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund (AVEEX) and Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund (CEMFX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AVEEX	CEMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	2.78	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.60	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.51	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	3.86	-0.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.72	13.34	-0.61

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AVEEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the CEMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AVEEX and CEMFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AVEEX drawdown since its inception was -36.45%, smaller than the maximum CEMFX drawdown of -39.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AVEEX and CEMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AVEEX	CEMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.45%	-39.30%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.64%	-12.41%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.34%	-13.27%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.68%	-27.22%	-6.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.95%	-5.70%	+0.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.25%	-9.57%	-0.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.31%	3.59%	-0.28%

Volatility

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Volatility Comparison

Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund (AVEEX) has a higher volatility of 10.39% compared to Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund (CEMFX) at 7.19%. This indicates that AVEEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CEMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AVEEX	CEMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.39%	7.19%	+3.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.46%	14.71%	+1.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.45%	17.24%	+1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.39%	14.74%	+1.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.02%	15.18%	+3.84%

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AVEEX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than CEMFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

AVEEX vs. CEMFX - Dividend Comparison

AVEEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, more than CEMFX's 1.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEEX Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.89%	3.50%	2.93%	3.51%	3.48%	1.92%	1.52%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CEMFX Cullen Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund	1.79%	1.72%	3.31%	4.68%	1.26%	2.62%	2.13%	4.16%	2.26%	3.59%	3.65%	4.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AVEEX and CEMFX in my portfolio?

AVEEX and CEMFX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AVEEX or CEMFX?

AVEEX has higher volatility (10.39%) compared to CEMFX (7.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AVEEX dropped -36.45% vs CEMFX's -39.30%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CEMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.29), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.