DEM vs. MFEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEM (WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund) and MFEM (PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - DEM tracks the WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index while MFEM tracks the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DEM returned 9.57%/yr vs 8.84%/yr for MFEM. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DEM charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for MFEM.

Performance

DEM vs. MFEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). 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 lower than MFEM's 31.49% 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%

MFEM

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 9.48%
• YTD: 31.49%
• 6M: 33.22%
• 1Y: 54.64%
• 3Y*: 23.28%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: —

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

DEM vs. MFEM - 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%	5.05%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	31.49%	25.33%	4.73%	15.14%	-19.50%	10.77%	11.33%	15.26%	-14.64%	4.82%

Correlation

The correlation between DEM and MFEM is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2017	0.90

The correlation between DEM and MFEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

DEM vs. MFEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DEM	MFEM
Financial Services	21.9%	17.7%
Technology	17.4%	23.1%
Industrials	9.5%	12.2%
Energy	6.1%	8.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	8.3%
Basic Materials	3.5%	15.1%
Real Estate	3.0%	1.1%
Utilities	3.0%	3.9%
Communication Services	3.0%	4.8%
Healthcare	0.6%	1.7%

Return for Risk

DEM vs. MFEM — 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

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. MFEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) and PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM). 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	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.38	2.87	-0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.71	-0.43
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.53	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	4.27	-0.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.52	15.72	-1.20
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. MFEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.38, which is comparable to the MFEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEM and MFEM, 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	MFEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.38	2.87	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.54	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.22	0.44	-0.22

Drawdowns

DEM vs. MFEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEM drawdown since its inception was -51.85%, which is greater than MFEM's maximum drawdown of -43.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEM and MFEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEM	MFEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.85%	-43.32%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.89%	-12.86%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.64%	-19.22%	+3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-31.39%	+4.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	-1.14%	-0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.90%	-11.49%	-1.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	3.49%	-1.27%

Volatility

DEM vs. MFEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund (DEM) is 5.64%, while PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that DEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MFEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEM	MFEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.64%	8.47%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.33%	16.92%	-5.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	19.11%	-5.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.33%	16.60%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.96%	19.40%	-1.44%

DEM vs. MFEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEM has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than MFEM's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEM vs. MFEM - Dividend Comparison

DEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, more than MFEM's 2.12% 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%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.12%	2.77%	5.89%	4.01%	7.01%	29.96%	1.70%	2.37%	1.18%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEM and MFEM in my portfolio?

DEM and MFEM 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, DEM or MFEM?

MFEM has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to DEM (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEM dropped -51.85% vs MFEM's -43.32%.

Which ETF is better, DEM or MFEM?

On 5-year performance, DEM leads with 9.57% vs 8.84% for MFEM. On fees, MFEM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, DEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DEM or MFEM?

Over the 5-year period, DEM has performed better with a 9.57% return vs 8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DEM or MFEM?

MFEM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.63% for DEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DEM or MFEM?

DEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.76%, compared with 2.12% for MFEM.

What is the main difference between DEM and MFEM?

DEM tracks WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity income Index, while MFEM tracks RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.63% for DEM and 0.49% for MFEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MFEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.38), 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.