DAADX vs. FRDM

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DAADX (DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, DAADX returned 20.22%/yr vs 30.40%/yr for FRDM. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DAADX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.

Performance

DAADX vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DAADX achieves a 23.85% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 28.77% return.

DAADX

• 1D: 2.21%
• 1M: -5.11%
• 6M: 14.17%
• YTD: 23.85%
• 1Y: 41.94%
• 3Y*: 20.22%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.15%

FRDM

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: -4.38%
• 6M: 13.38%
• YTD: 28.77%
• 1Y: 66.33%
• 3Y*: 30.40%
• 5Y*: 16.95%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.96%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DAADX DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	$21.61M	$20.26M	$24.83M

DAADX vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DAADX DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio	23.85%	27.59%	3.44%	24.58%	-15.81%	0.20%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	28.77%	61.27%	1.70%	22.77%	-14.45%	-0.54%

Correlation

The correlation between DAADX and FRDM is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2021	0.84

The correlation between DAADX and FRDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DAADX vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DAADX

DAADX Risk / Return Rank: 69
DAADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
DAADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DAADX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DAADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
DAADX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

FRDM

FRDM Risk / Return Rank: 85
FRDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
FRDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
FRDM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
FRDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FRDM Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DAADX vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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.

	DAADX	FRDM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.18	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	2.67	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	3.47	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.82	11.41	-2.59

DAADX vs. FRDM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAADX Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the FRDM Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAADX and FRDM, 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

DAADX vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAADX drawdown since its inception was -24.98%, smaller than the maximum FRDM drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAADX and FRDM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DAADX	FRDM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.98%	-40.49%	+15.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.99%	-19.24%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.78%	-19.24%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-29.25%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.15%	-13.71%	+1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.76%	-7.13%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.62%	5.83%	-1.21%

Volatility

DAADX vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX) is 9.93%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 12.19%. This indicates that DAADX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DAADX	FRDM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.93%	12.19%	-2.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.76%	28.38%	-6.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.96%	30.71%	-7.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.00%	22.39%	-6.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	23.62%	-7.62%

DAADX vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAADX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

DAADX vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison

DAADX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.03%, more than FRDM's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DAADX DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio	2.03%	2.28%	2.64%	2.82%	3.02%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF	1.68%	2.26%	2.53%	2.66%	2.72%	2.17%	1.11%	1.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DAADX and FRDM in my portfolio?

DAADX and FRDM have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DAADX or FRDM?

FRDM has higher volatility (12.19%) compared to DAADX (9.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAADX dropped -24.98% vs FRDM's -40.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.79), 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.