DESIX vs. SSKEX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

DESIX (DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio) and SSKEX (State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, DESIX returned 11.47%/yr vs 7.50%/yr for SSKEX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DESIX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SSKEX.

Performance

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DESIX achieves a 15.86% return, which is significantly lower than SSKEX's 22.88% return.

DESIX

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: -2.18%
• 6M: 10.93%
• YTD: 15.86%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 18.16%
• 5Y*: 11.47%
• 10Y*: —

SSKEX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 17.68%
• YTD: 22.88%
• 1Y: 41.57%
• 3Y*: 22.13%
• 5Y*: 7.50%
• 10Y*: 9.49%

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

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	15.86%	27.87%	6.66%	14.24%	-18.07%	24.59%	14.05%	16.69%	-6.48%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	22.88%	33.79%	7.00%	9.50%	-20.23%	-2.80%	18.20%	18.16%	-8.32%

Correlation

The correlation between DESIX and SSKEX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2018	0.90

The correlation between DESIX and SSKEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DESIX vs. SSKEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DESIX

DESIX Risk / Return Rank: 47
DESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
DESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
DESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
DESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

SSKEX

SSKEX Risk / Return Rank: 81
SSKEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
SSKEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SSKEX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SSKEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SSKEX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). 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.

	DESIX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	2.11	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.72	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.40	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	3.34	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.70	11.48	-3.78

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DESIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the SSKEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DESIX and SSKEX, 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

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DESIX drawdown since its inception was -36.03%, smaller than the maximum SSKEX drawdown of -39.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DESIX and SSKEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DESIX	SSKEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.03%	-39.23%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.70%	-12.44%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.82%	-16.09%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.09%	-35.48%	+6.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.23%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.52%	-6.00%	+0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.69%	-13.18%	+5.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	3.61%	0.00%

Volatility

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX) have volatilities of 9.21% and 9.50%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DESIX	SSKEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.21%	9.50%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.03%	17.75%	-0.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.56%	19.67%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	17.18%	+1.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.87%	17.50%	+1.37%

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DESIX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than SSKEX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

DESIX vs. SSKEX - Dividend Comparison

DESIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, which matches SSKEX's 2.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	2.31%	2.63%	2.79%	2.85%	2.51%	22.49%	1.38%	1.99%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.32%	2.85%	2.90%	3.26%	3.90%	1.95%	1.84%	2.84%	3.01%	2.55%	2.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DESIX and SSKEX in my portfolio?

DESIX and SSKEX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DESIX or SSKEX?

SSKEX has higher volatility (9.50%) compared to DESIX (9.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DESIX dropped -36.03% vs SSKEX's -39.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSKEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.51), 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.