DEMAX vs. VEMIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DEMAX (Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A) and VEMIX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DEMAX returned 21.48%/yr vs 8.94%/yr for VEMIX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DEMAX charges 1.42%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VEMIX.

Performance

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A (DEMAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEMAX achieves a 112.66% return, which is significantly higher than VEMIX's 12.59% return. Over the past 10 years, DEMAX has outperformed VEMIX with an annualized return of 21.48%, while VEMIX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.94% annualized return.

DEMAX

• 1D: 2.49%
• 1M: 25.80%
• YTD: 112.66%
• 6M: 130.03%
• 1Y: 252.48%
• 3Y*: 66.41%
• 5Y*: 25.77%
• 10Y*: 21.48%

VEMIX

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 12.59%
• 6M: 13.99%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 18.19%
• 5Y*: 5.24%
• 10Y*: 8.94%

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

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEMAX Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A	112.66%	86.33%	6.25%	17.34%	-28.85%	-2.32%	25.54%	24.05%	-17.32%	41.62%
VEMIX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	12.59%	24.80%	11.38%	8.85%	-17.75%	0.91%	15.26%	20.35%	-14.55%	31.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DEMAX and VEMIX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2000	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between DEMAX and VEMIX has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DEMAX vs. VEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEMAX

DEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VEMIX

VEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A (DEMAX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX). 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.

	DEMAX	VEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.72	2.17	+4.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.52	3.00	+2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.88	1.40	+0.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.27	2.83	+9.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	46.65	10.53	+36.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEMAX Sharpe Ratio is 6.72, which is higher than the VEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEMAX and VEMIX, 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

	DEMAX	VEMIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.72	2.17	+4.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.02	0.34	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.55	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.36	+0.17

Drawdowns

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEMAX drawdown since its inception was -63.23%, roughly equal to the maximum VEMIX drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMAX and VEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEMAX	VEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.23%	-66.43%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.03%	-11.05%	-9.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.75%	-15.77%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.15%	-32.52%	-11.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.51%	-36.04%	-10.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.24%	+1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.75%	-15.99%	-2.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.51%	2.96%	+2.55%

Volatility

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Volatility Comparison

Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A (DEMAX) has a higher volatility of 17.08% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VEMIX) at 5.22%. This indicates that DEMAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEMAX	VEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.08%	5.22%	+11.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.82%	11.89%	+21.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.39%	14.37%	+24.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.33%	15.38%	+9.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.14%	16.46%	+6.68%

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEMAX has a 1.42% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEMAX vs. VEMIX - Dividend Comparison

DEMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.95%, more than VEMIX's 2.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMAX Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class A	8.95%	19.03%	1.74%	2.76%	1.60%	3.16%	0.56%	0.57%	0.34%	1.59%	0.70%	0.03%
VEMIX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.39%	2.77%	3.17%	3.51%	4.09%	2.61%	1.90%	3.23%	2.89%	2.33%	2.55%	2.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEMAX and VEMIX in my portfolio?

DEMAX and VEMIX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEMAX or VEMIX?

DEMAX has higher volatility (17.08%) compared to VEMIX (5.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEMAX dropped -63.23% vs VEMIX's -66.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.72 vs 2.17), 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.