DEMIX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DEMIX (Delaware Emerging Markets Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - DEMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Delaware Funds, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, DEMIX returned 23.71%/yr vs 15.53%/yr for SPY. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DEMIX charges 1.26%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

DEMIX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEMIX achieves a 145.11% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, DEMIX has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 23.71%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.53% annualized return.

DEMIX

• 1D: 4.36%
• 1M: 29.09%
• YTD: 145.11%
• 6M: 162.34%
• 1Y: 271.84%
• 3Y*: 74.82%
• 5Y*: 30.44%
• 10Y*: 23.71%

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

DEMIX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	145.11%	86.79%	6.52%	17.59%	-28.66%	-2.08%	26.09%	24.33%	-17.10%	41.98%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between DEMIX and SPY is 0.48, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 10, 1996	0.58

The correlation between DEMIX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (1 year) to 0.61 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DEMIX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEMIX

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

DEMIX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	DEMIX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.06	1.90	+4.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.89	2.58	+2.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.81	1.34	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	13.05	2.67	+10.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	47.63	11.92	+35.71

DEMIX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEMIX Sharpe Ratio is 6.06, which is higher than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEMIX and SPY, 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

DEMIX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEMIX drawdown since its inception was -63.15%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMIX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEMIX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.15%	-55.19%	-7.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.01%	-8.88%	-12.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.62%	-18.76%	-3.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.96%	-24.50%	-18.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.29%	-33.72%	-12.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.17%	+3.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.43%	-9.04%	-9.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.74%	1.98%	+3.76%

Volatility

DEMIX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) has a higher volatility of 25.62% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.87%. This indicates that DEMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEMIX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	25.62%	4.87%	+20.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	41.21%	9.85%	+31.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.34%	12.50%	+32.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.58%	17.15%	+10.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.36%	17.95%	+6.41%

DEMIX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEMIX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEMIX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

DEMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.74%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	7.74%	18.97%	1.99%	2.95%	1.89%	3.42%	0.87%	0.80%	0.65%	1.80%	0.94%	0.30%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEMIX and SPY in my portfolio?

DEMIX and SPY have a correlation of 0.48, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DEMIX or SPY?

DEMIX has higher volatility (25.62%) compared to SPY (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEMIX dropped -63.15% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.06 vs 1.90), 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.