DFCEX vs. SSKEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFCEX (DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund) and SSKEX (State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DFCEX returned 11.09%/yr vs 10.59%/yr for SSKEX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFCEX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SSKEX.

Performance

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) 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, DFCEX achieves a 25.19% return, which is significantly lower than SSKEX's 28.95% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFCEX having a 11.09% annualized return and SSKEX not far behind at 10.59%.

DFCEX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 7.67%
• YTD: 25.19%
• 6M: 27.73%
• 1Y: 49.33%
• 3Y*: 23.14%
• 5Y*: 9.53%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

SSKEX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 8.80%
• YTD: 28.95%
• 6M: 32.16%
• 1Y: 57.79%
• 3Y*: 24.72%
• 5Y*: 7.79%
• 10Y*: 10.59%

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

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	25.19%	28.79%	7.31%	15.45%	-16.44%	5.82%	13.86%	16.03%	-15.25%	36.55%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	28.95%	33.79%	7.00%	9.50%	-20.23%	-2.80%	18.20%	18.16%	-14.78%	37.18%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCEX and SSKEX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.91

The correlation between DFCEX and SSKEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFCEX vs. SSKEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCEX

DFCEX Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFCEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFCEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DFCEX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFCEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFCEX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

SSKEX

SSKEX Risk / Return Rank: 92
SSKEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SSKEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
SSKEX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SSKEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SSKEX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) 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.

	DFCEX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.32	3.54	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.31	4.54	-0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.66	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	4.68	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.47	17.65	-1.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.32, which is comparable to the SSKEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCEX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFCEX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32	3.54	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.47	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.61	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.63	-0.19

Drawdowns

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCEX drawdown since its inception was -64.58%, which is greater than SSKEX's maximum drawdown of -39.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCEX and SSKEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCEX	SSKEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.58%	-39.23%	-25.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.12%	-12.44%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	-16.09%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.05%	-37.04%	+6.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-39.23%	-3.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.61%	-13.27%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	3.29%	-0.25%

Volatility

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX) have volatilities of 6.43% and 6.69%, 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

	DFCEX	SSKEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	6.69%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	14.03%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.15%	16.47%	-1.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.70%	16.50%	-1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	17.29%	-1.36%

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SSKEX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFCEX vs. SSKEX - Dividend Comparison

DFCEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than SSKEX's 2.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	2.35%	2.90%	3.43%	3.53%	3.78%	2.59%	1.70%	2.42%	2.33%	1.92%	1.99%	2.28%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.21%	2.85%	2.90%	3.26%	3.90%	1.95%	1.84%	2.84%	3.01%	2.55%	2.29%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCEX and SSKEX in my portfolio?

DFCEX and SSKEX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFCEX or SSKEX?

SSKEX has higher volatility (6.69%) compared to DFCEX (6.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCEX dropped -64.58% vs SSKEX's -39.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSKEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.54 vs 3.32), 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.