DFAE vs. EVLU
DFAE (Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF) and EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. DFAE is actively managed, while EVLU is passively managed. Over the past year, DFAE returned 41.53% vs 55.11% for EVLU. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.
Performance
DFAE vs. EVLU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFAE achieves a 23.20% return, which is significantly lower than EVLU's 29.30% return.
DFAE
- 1D
- 0.76%
- 1M
- -1.10%
- YTD
- 23.20%
- 6M
- 23.61%
- 1Y
- 41.53%
- 3Y*
- 22.45%
- 5Y*
- 8.58%
- 10Y*
- —
EVLU
- 1D
- 0.14%
- 1M
- -0.70%
- YTD
- 29.30%
- 6M
- 29.91%
- 1Y
- 55.11%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DFAE vs. EVLU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | 23.20% | 31.48% | -0.35% |
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 29.30% | 38.54% | 1.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFAE and EVLU is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024 | 0.93 |
The correlation between DFAE and EVLU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFAE vs. EVLU — Risk / Return Rank
DFAE
EVLU
DFAE vs. EVLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU). 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.
| DFAE | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.83 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.50 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.26 | 4.29 | -1.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.93 | 14.90 | -2.97 |
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Drawdowns
DFAE vs. EVLU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFAE drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, which is greater than EVLU's maximum drawdown of -17.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAE and EVLU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFAE | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.21% | -17.17% | -15.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.80% | -12.90% | +0.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.12% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.73% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.50% | -5.70% | +1.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.24% | -3.53% | -6.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.49% | 3.71% | -0.22% |
Volatility
DFAE vs. EVLU - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) has a higher volatility of 11.41% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) at 8.36%. This indicates that DFAE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EVLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFAE | EVLU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.41% | 8.36% | +3.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.69% | 17.62% | +2.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.52% | 20.01% | +1.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.42% | 20.31% | -1.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.32% | 20.31% | -1.99% |
DFAE vs. EVLU - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both DFAE and EVLU have an expense ratio of 0.35%.
Dividends
DFAE vs. EVLU - Dividend Comparison
DFAE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.76%, less than EVLU's 3.76% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | 1.76% | 2.20% | 2.35% | 2.43% | 2.85% | 1.63% | 0.01% |
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF | 3.76% | 5.20% | 1.03% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, DFAE and EVLU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
DFAE has higher volatility (11.41%) compared to EVLU (8.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAE dropped -32.21% vs EVLU's -17.17%.
On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 55.11% vs 41.53% for DFAE. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, EVLU has been the lower-risk option at 8.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 55.11% return vs 41.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFAE and EVLU have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.
EVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.76%, compared with 1.76% for DFAE.
They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares.
EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 1.94), 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.
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