DFEM vs. SPEM
Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM).
DFEM and SPEM are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFEM is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Apr 26, 2022. SPEM is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. It was launched on Mar 19, 2007.
Performance
DFEM vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison
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DFEM vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEM Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 4.58% | 29.51% | 7.53% | 13.91% | -8.69% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 0.21% | 25.63% | 11.40% | 10.51% | -4.87% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFEM achieves a 4.58% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 0.21% return.
DFEM
- 1D
- 3.38%
- 1M
- -8.36%
- YTD
- 4.58%
- 6M
- 8.55%
- 1Y
- 33.76%
- 3Y*
- 16.41%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
SPEM
- 1D
- 3.17%
- 1M
- -7.13%
- YTD
- 0.21%
- 6M
- 1.89%
- 1Y
- 22.70%
- 3Y*
- 14.39%
- 5Y*
- 4.29%
- 10Y*
- 8.16%
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DFEM vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFEM has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
DFEM vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank
DFEM
SPEM
DFEM vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). 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.
| DFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.78 | 1.28 | +0.50 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.36 | 1.80 | +0.57 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.26 | +0.09 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.69 | 1.82 | +0.87 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.49 | 7.01 | +3.49 |
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
| DFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.78 | 1.28 | +0.50 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.25 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.44 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.67 | 0.21 | +0.46 |
Correlation
The correlation between DFEM and SPEM is 0.97, 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
DFEM vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison
DFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than SPEM's 2.77% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEM Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 2.18% | 2.32% | 2.50% | 2.38% | 1.99% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF | 2.77% | 2.77% | 2.78% | 2.80% | 3.38% | 3.14% | 1.92% | 2.94% | 2.34% | 1.12% | 1.51% | 2.40% |
Drawdowns
DFEM vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFEM drawdown since its inception was -20.82%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEM and SPEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.82% | -64.41% | +43.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.29% | -12.35% | +0.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -31.94% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -36.06% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.15% | -8.56% | -0.59% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -14.87% | +9.71% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.16% | 3.20% | -0.04% |
Volatility
DFEM vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (DFEM) has a higher volatility of 10.03% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 8.25%. This indicates that DFEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFEM | SPEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.03% | 8.25% | +1.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.86% | 12.23% | +1.63% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.09% | 17.79% | +1.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.80% | 16.95% | -0.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.80% | 18.76% | -1.96% |