DEM vs. DISMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) and DISMX (DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio) are both funds - DEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index, while DISMX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DEM returned 10.45%/yr vs 7.14%/yr for DISMX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEM charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for DISMX.

Performance

DEM vs. DISMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEM achieves a 19.97% return, which is significantly higher than DISMX's 8.27% return. Over the past 10 years, DEM has outperformed DISMX with an annualized return of 10.45%, while DISMX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.14% annualized return.

DEM

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 6.63%
• YTD: 19.97%
• 6M: 20.75%
• 1Y: 32.23%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

DISMX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 2.66%
• YTD: 8.27%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 16.80%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 7.14%

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

DEM vs. DISMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	19.97%	21.29%	4.46%	20.93%	-10.43%	11.49%	-5.84%	19.84%	-7.69%	26.26%
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	8.27%	27.95%	1.30%	11.55%	-25.16%	9.27%	16.42%	25.78%	-17.96%	34.06%

Correlation

The correlation between DEM and DISMX 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	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.68

The correlation between DEM and DISMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DEM vs. DISMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEM

DEM Risk / Return Rank: 74
DEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DEM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
DEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DEM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

DISMX

DISMX Risk / Return Rank: 20
DISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
DISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
DISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

DEM vs. DISMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX). 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.

	DEM	DISMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	1.29	+1.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	1.90	+1.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.23	+0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	1.57	+2.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.52	5.94	+8.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEM vs. DISMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is higher than the DISMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEM and DISMX, 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

	DEM	DISMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	1.29	+1.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.16	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.44	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.51	-0.28

Drawdowns

DEM vs. DISMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEM drawdown since its inception was -51.85%, which is greater than DISMX's maximum drawdown of -41.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEM and DISMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEM	DISMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.85%	-41.53%	-10.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-12.22%	+4.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.64%	-15.59%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-41.53%	+14.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.79%	-41.53%	+3.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	-0.66%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-10.51%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	3.23%	-1.01%

Volatility

DEM vs. DISMX - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) has a higher volatility of 5.64% compared to DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio (DISMX) at 3.91%. This indicates that DEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DISMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEM	DISMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	3.91%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	11.67%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	14.32%	-0.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.33%	16.77%	-1.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	16.41%	+1.55%

DEM vs. DISMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEM has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than DISMX's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEM vs. DISMX - Dividend Comparison

DEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, more than DISMX's 1.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEM WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund	3.76%	4.88%	5.24%	5.49%	8.62%	5.87%	4.21%	4.78%	4.47%	3.67%	3.63%	5.21%
DISMX DFA International Small Cap Growth Portfolio	1.82%	1.98%	2.48%	2.15%	2.17%	1.89%	1.11%	2.31%	5.59%	3.79%	1.73%	2.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEM and DISMX in my portfolio?

DEM and DISMX 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, DEM or DISMX?

DEM has higher volatility (5.64%) compared to DISMX (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEM dropped -51.85% vs DISMX's -41.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.29), 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.