DCEMX vs. BEMIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DCEMX (Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund) and BEMIX (Brandes Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DCEMX returned 8.32%/yr vs 10.16%/yr for BEMIX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DCEMX charges 2.03%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for BEMIX.

Performance

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund (DCEMX) and Brandes Emerging Markets Fund (BEMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DCEMX achieves a 33.14% return, which is significantly higher than BEMIX's 24.82% return. Over the past 10 years, DCEMX has underperformed BEMIX with an annualized return of 8.32%, while BEMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.16% annualized return.

DCEMX

• 1D: 2.47%
• 1M: 9.86%
• YTD: 33.14%
• 6M: 37.52%
• 1Y: 60.81%
• 3Y*: 22.94%
• 5Y*: 5.01%
• 10Y*: 8.32%

BEMIX

• 1D: 2.15%
• 1M: 7.58%
• YTD: 24.82%
• 6M: 26.44%
• 1Y: 60.03%
• 3Y*: 28.32%
• 5Y*: 12.70%
• 10Y*: 10.16%

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

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DCEMX Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund	33.14%	28.90%	4.84%	6.16%	-25.20%	-7.30%	23.89%	21.88%	-20.99%	32.42%
BEMIX Brandes Emerging Markets Fund	24.82%	47.83%	4.01%	22.53%	-15.91%	1.68%	-6.17%	18.60%	-15.56%	26.00%

Correlation

The correlation between DCEMX and BEMIX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2011	0.86

The correlation between DCEMX and BEMIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DCEMX vs. BEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DCEMX

DCEMX Risk / Return Rank: 84
DCEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DCEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DCEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
DCEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DCEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

BEMIX

BEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
BEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
BEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
BEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
BEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
BEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund (DCEMX) and Brandes Emerging Markets Fund (BEMIX). 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.

	DCEMX	BEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	3.69	-0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.73	4.63	-0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.72	-0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.33	4.95	-0.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.34	20.69	-4.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DCEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the BEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DCEMX and BEMIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DCEMX	BEMIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	3.69	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.77	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.60	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.31	-0.08

Drawdowns

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DCEMX drawdown since its inception was -70.65%, which is greater than BEMIX's maximum drawdown of -46.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DCEMX and BEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DCEMX	BEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.65%	-46.05%	-24.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.89%	-12.07%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.83%	-16.08%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.04%	-36.37%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.88%	-46.05%	+0.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.15%	-14.18%	-11.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	2.89%	+0.79%

Volatility

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Volatility Comparison

Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund (DCEMX) has a higher volatility of 8.96% compared to Brandes Emerging Markets Fund (BEMIX) at 6.65%. This indicates that DCEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BEMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DCEMX	BEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.96%	6.65%	+2.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.91%	14.20%	+3.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.95%	16.69%	+4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.16%	16.55%	+1.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.28%	17.10%	+1.18%

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DCEMX has a 2.03% expense ratio, which is higher than BEMIX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

DCEMX vs. BEMIX - Dividend Comparison

DCEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than BEMIX's 1.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BEMIX Brandes Emerging Markets Fund	1.72%	2.15%	3.04%	2.45%	2.86%	2.31%	1.31%	2.56%	1.55%	1.41%	2.20%	1.54%
DCEMX Dunham Emerging Markets Stock Fund	1.63%	2.17%	0.00%	0.12%	0.00%	9.47%	0.00%	0.26%	1.00%	0.38%	1.27%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DCEMX and BEMIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DCEMX and BEMIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DCEMX or BEMIX?

DCEMX has higher volatility (8.96%) compared to BEMIX (6.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DCEMX dropped -70.65% vs BEMIX's -46.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.69 vs 2.99), 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.