DEHP vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEHP (Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DEHP is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DEHP returned 25.54%/yr vs 18.12%/yr for DFAI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEHP charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

DEHP vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF (DEHP) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEHP achieves a 35.45% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.16% return.

DEHP

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: 10.85%
• YTD: 35.45%
• 6M: 39.02%
• 1Y: 66.88%
• 3Y*: 25.54%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

DEHP vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DEHP Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF	35.45%	32.86%	4.47%	12.31%	-9.73%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-2.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DEHP and DFAI 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2022	0.75

The correlation between DEHP and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

DEHP vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEHP	DFAI
Technology	41.3%	9.3%
Communication Services	11.4%	3.7%
Industrials	11.4%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	8.6%
Basic Materials	7.7%	8.8%
Financial Services	6.5%	22.5%
Energy	5.0%	6.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	6.4%
Healthcare	2.5%	8.8%
Utilities	0.6%	4.0%
Real Estate	0.4%	1.5%

Return for Risk

DEHP vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEHP

DEHP Risk / Return Rank: 89
DEHP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DEHP Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DEHP Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DEHP Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DEHP Martin Ratio Rank: 90

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

DEHP vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF (DEHP) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	DEHP	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.21	1.76	+1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	2.49	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.32	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.11	2.26	+2.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.55	8.87	+11.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEHP vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEHP Sharpe Ratio is 3.21, which is higher than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEHP and DFAI, 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

	DEHP	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21	1.76	+1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.78	+0.14

Drawdowns

DEHP vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEHP drawdown since its inception was -22.90%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEHP and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEHP	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.90%	-27.44%	+4.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.16%	-10.95%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.14%	-13.25%	-5.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-1.61%	+0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.75%	-5.12%	-0.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	2.79%	+0.47%

Volatility

DEHP vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF (DEHP) has a higher volatility of 9.93% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 4.45%. This indicates that DEHP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEHP	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.93%	4.45%	+5.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.56%	11.68%	+6.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.97%	14.08%	+6.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.62%	15.92%	+2.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.62%	15.70%	+2.92%

DEHP vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEHP has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEHP vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

DEHP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.32%, less than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DEHP Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF	1.32%	1.73%	2.44%	2.84%	1.65%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEHP and DFAI in my portfolio?

DEHP and DFAI 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, DEHP or DFAI?

DEHP has higher volatility (9.93%) compared to DFAI (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEHP dropped -22.90% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, DEHP or DFAI?

On 3-year performance, DEHP leads with 25.54% vs 18.12% for DFAI. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFAI has been the lower-risk option at 4.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEHP or DFAI?

Over the 3-year period, DEHP has performed better with a 25.54% return vs 18.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEHP or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DEHP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEHP or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 1.32% for DEHP.

What is the main difference between DEHP and DFAI?

DEHP is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while DFAI is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DEHP and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEHP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.21 vs 1.76), 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.