DEMCX vs. VEMAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DEMCX (Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class C) and VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. DEMCX is actively managed, while VEMAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DEMCX returned 21.74%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for VEMAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DEMCX charges 2.17%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VEMAX.

Performance

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEMCX achieves a 133.75% return, which is significantly higher than VEMAX's 13.14% return. Over the past 10 years, DEMCX has outperformed VEMAX with an annualized return of 21.74%, while VEMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.92% annualized return.

DEMCX

• 1D: 8.20%
• 1M: 23.60%
• YTD: 133.75%
• 6M: 150.69%
• 1Y: 251.28%
• 3Y*: 67.83%
• 5Y*: 28.09%
• 10Y*: 21.74%

VEMAX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 13.14%
• 6M: 13.80%
• 1Y: 30.92%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 5.79%
• 10Y*: 8.92%

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

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEMCX Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class C	133.75%	84.86%	5.47%	16.47%	-29.38%	-3.05%	24.55%	23.16%	-17.94%	40.59%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.14%	24.76%	11.34%	8.82%	-17.79%	0.85%	15.24%	20.29%	-14.59%	31.37%

Correlation

The correlation between DEMCX and VEMAX is 0.63, 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	0.63
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, 2006	0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between DEMCX and VEMAX has dropped to 0.63 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DEMCX vs. VEMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEMCX

DEMCX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DEMCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DEMCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DEMCX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DEMCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DEMCX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

VEMAX

VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEMAX 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.

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class C (DEMCX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DEMCX	VEMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.72	1.98	+3.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.73	2.72	+2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.36	+0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	12.22	2.70	+9.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	44.57	9.85	+34.72

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEMCX Sharpe Ratio is 5.72, which is higher than the VEMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEMCX and VEMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEMCX drawdown since its inception was -63.54%, roughly equal to the maximum VEMAX drawdown of -66.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMCX and VEMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEMCX	VEMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.54%	-66.45%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.11%	-11.05%	-10.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.22%	-15.78%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.73%	-32.46%	-11.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.21%	-36.11%	-11.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.73%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.60%	-16.09%	-3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.77%	3.03%	+2.74%

Volatility

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Volatility Comparison

Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class C (DEMCX) has a higher volatility of 25.52% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) at 6.10%. This indicates that DEMCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEMCX	VEMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.52%	6.10%	+19.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.20%	12.85%	+28.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.10%	15.10%	+30.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.51%	15.52%	+11.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.32%	16.50%	+7.82%

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEMCX has a 2.17% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMAX's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEMCX vs. VEMAX - Dividend Comparison

DEMCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.76%, more than VEMAX's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMCX Nomura Emerging Markets Fund Class C	8.76%	20.47%	1.09%	2.03%	0.69%	2.58%	0.61%	0.00%	0.00%	1.03%	0.08%	0.00%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.24%	2.74%	3.13%	3.47%	4.05%	2.57%	1.87%	3.20%	2.85%	2.31%	2.51%	3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEMCX and VEMAX in my portfolio?

DEMCX and VEMAX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEMCX or VEMAX?

DEMCX has higher volatility (25.52%) compared to VEMAX (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEMCX dropped -63.54% vs VEMAX's -66.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.72 vs 1.98), 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.