DEMIX vs. TLT

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

DEMIX (Delaware Emerging Markets Fund) and TLT (iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF) are both funds - DEMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Delaware Funds, while TLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, DEMIX returned 19.96%/yr vs -1.79%/yr for TLT. At a correlation of -0.21, they often move in opposite directions. DEMIX charges 1.26%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for TLT.

Performance

DEMIX vs. TLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DEMIX achieves a 83.98% return, which is significantly higher than TLT's -0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, DEMIX has outperformed TLT with an annualized return of 19.96%, while TLT has yielded a comparatively lower -1.79% annualized return.

DEMIX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -1.58%
• YTD: 83.98%
• 6M: 95.88%
• 1Y: 188.29%
• 3Y*: 58.22%
• 5Y*: 22.72%
• 10Y*: 19.96%

TLT

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: -0.49%
• 6M: -1.03%
• 1Y: 4.17%
• 3Y*: -1.86%
• 5Y*: -6.70%
• 10Y*: -1.79%

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

DEMIX vs. TLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	83.98%	86.79%	6.52%	17.59%	-28.66%	-2.08%	26.09%	24.33%	-17.10%	41.98%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	-0.49%	4.25%	-8.05%	2.77%	-31.23%	-4.60%	18.15%	14.12%	-1.61%	9.18%

Correlation

The correlation between DEMIX and TLT is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2002	-0.21

The correlation between DEMIX and TLT shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DEMIX vs. TLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

DEMIX

DEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 96
DEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
DEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

TLT

TLT Risk / Return Rank: 16
TLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
TLT Omega Ratio Rank: 15
TLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
TLT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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. TLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). 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.

	DEMIX	TLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.73	0.44	+4.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.17	0.70	+3.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.08	+0.61
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.15	0.55	+8.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	33.95	1.35	+32.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DEMIX vs. TLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DEMIX Sharpe Ratio is 4.73, which is higher than the TLT Sharpe Ratio of 0.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DEMIX and TLT, 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

	DEMIX	TLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.73	0.44	+4.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	-0.42	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	-0.12	+0.97
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.25	+0.26

Drawdowns

DEMIX vs. TLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DEMIX drawdown since its inception was -63.15%, which is greater than TLT's maximum drawdown of -48.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DEMIX and TLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	DEMIX	TLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.15%	-48.35%	-14.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.01%	-7.58%	-13.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.62%	-19.18%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.71%	-43.70%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.29%	-48.35%	+2.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.58%	-40.57%	+26.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.45%	-13.83%	-4.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.64%	3.10%	+2.54%

Volatility

DEMIX vs. TLT - Volatility Comparison

Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) has a higher volatility of 20.43% compared to iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) at 2.67%. This indicates that DEMIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DEMIX	TLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.43%	2.67%	+17.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.87%	6.52%	+30.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.72%	9.60%	+31.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.00%	15.85%	+10.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.50%	14.91%	+8.59%

DEMIX vs. TLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

DEMIX has a 1.26% expense ratio, which is higher than TLT's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

DEMIX vs. TLT - Dividend Comparison

DEMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.31%, more than TLT's 4.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	10.31%	18.97%	1.99%	2.95%	1.89%	3.42%	0.87%	0.80%	0.65%	1.80%	0.94%	0.30%
TLT iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF	4.60%	4.43%	4.30%	3.38%	2.67%	1.50%	1.50%	2.27%	2.63%	2.43%	2.60%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DEMIX and TLT in my portfolio?

DEMIX and TLT have a correlation of 0.19, 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 TLT?

DEMIX has higher volatility (20.43%) compared to TLT (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DEMIX dropped -63.15% vs TLT's -48.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.73 vs 0.44), 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.