DFCEX vs. EEM
Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM).
DFCEX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 4, 2005. EEM is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. It was launched on Apr 11, 2003.
Performance
DFCEX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison
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DFCEX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund | 0.90% | 28.79% | 7.31% | 15.45% | -16.44% | 5.82% | 13.86% | 16.03% | -15.25% | 36.55% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 3.80% | 33.98% | 6.49% | 8.95% | -20.56% | -3.63% | 17.02% | 18.22% | -15.31% | 37.26% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFCEX achieves a 0.90% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 3.80% return. Over the past 10 years, DFCEX has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 8.62%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 7.58% annualized return.
DFCEX
- 1D
- -0.97%
- 1M
- -11.43%
- YTD
- 0.90%
- 6M
- 4.73%
- 1Y
- 28.56%
- 3Y*
- 15.10%
- 5Y*
- 6.21%
- 10Y*
- 8.62%
EEM
- 1D
- 3.73%
- 1M
- -9.25%
- YTD
- 3.80%
- 6M
- 7.87%
- 1Y
- 33.09%
- 3Y*
- 15.72%
- 5Y*
- 3.45%
- 10Y*
- 7.58%
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DFCEX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFCEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
DFCEX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank
DFCEX
EEM
DFCEX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.
| DFCEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.87 | 1.64 | +0.23 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.43 | 2.23 | +0.20 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.33 | +0.03 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.12 | 2.43 | -0.31 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.20 | 9.41 | -1.21 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFCEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.87 | 1.64 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 | 0.19 | +0.25 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 | 0.37 | +0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.39 | 0.35 | +0.04 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFCEX and EEM is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
DFCEX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison
DFCEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.91%, more than EEM's 2.14% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund | 2.91% | 2.90% | 3.43% | 3.53% | 3.78% | 2.59% | 1.70% | 2.42% | 2.33% | 1.92% | 1.99% | 2.28% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.14% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
Drawdowns
DFCEX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFCEX drawdown since its inception was -64.58%, roughly equal to the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCEX and EEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFCEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.58% | -66.43% | +1.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.12% | -13.52% | +1.40% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.05% | -37.82% | +7.77% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.33% | -39.82% | -2.51% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.12% | -10.30% | -1.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.70% | -16.12% | +3.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.14% | 3.49% | -0.35% |
Volatility
DFCEX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) is 7.12%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 10.70%. This indicates that DFCEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFCEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.12% | 10.70% | -3.58% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.75% | 15.12% | -4.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.12% | 20.23% | -5.11% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.32% | 18.43% | -4.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.76% | 20.32% | -4.56% |