DFESX vs. LZEMX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFESX (DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio) and LZEMX (Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DFESX returned 11.05%/yr vs 11.03%/yr for LZEMX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFESX charges 0.45%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for LZEMX.

Performance

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFESX achieves a 27.87% return, which is significantly higher than LZEMX's 25.84% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFESX having a 11.05% annualized return and LZEMX not far behind at 11.03%.

DFESX

• 1D: 2.26%
• 1M: 10.29%
• YTD: 27.87%
• 6M: 30.65%
• 1Y: 53.31%
• 3Y*: 23.89%
• 5Y*: 9.12%
• 10Y*: 11.05%

LZEMX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 7.88%
• YTD: 25.84%
• 6M: 28.11%
• 1Y: 56.47%
• 3Y*: 28.85%
• 5Y*: 13.15%
• 10Y*: 11.03%

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

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	27.87%	29.95%	7.16%	14.58%	-18.49%	4.16%	12.99%	17.12%	-14.87%	37.30%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	25.84%	41.35%	7.60%	22.44%	-14.86%	5.37%	-0.07%	18.06%	-18.11%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between DFESX and LZEMX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.92

The correlation between DFESX and LZEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFESX vs. LZEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFESX

DFESX Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DFESX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DFESX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

LZEMX

LZEMX Risk / Return Rank: 95
LZEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
LZEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
LZEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
LZEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
LZEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). 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.

	DFESX	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.37	4.28	-0.91
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.32	5.46	-1.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.64	1.80	-0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	5.28	-1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.71	19.46	-2.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFESX Sharpe Ratio is 3.37, which is comparable to the LZEMX Sharpe Ratio of 4.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFESX and LZEMX, 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

	DFESX	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.37	4.28	-0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.92	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.68	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.41	+0.08

Drawdowns

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFESX drawdown since its inception was -41.43%, smaller than the maximum LZEMX drawdown of -60.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFESX and LZEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFESX	LZEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.43%	-60.08%	+18.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.79%	-10.42%	-2.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.53%	-14.27%	-2.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.64%	-30.55%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.43%	-44.08%	+2.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.77%	-16.63%	+5.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.18%	2.83%	+0.35%

Volatility

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) has a higher volatility of 7.18% compared to Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX) at 5.21%. This indicates that DFESX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LZEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFESX	LZEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.18%	5.21%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.25%	10.93%	+3.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.37%	13.38%	+2.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.09%	14.31%	+0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.11%	16.40%	-0.29%

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFESX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than LZEMX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFESX vs. LZEMX - Dividend Comparison

DFESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.15%, more than LZEMX's 1.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFESX DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio	2.15%	2.59%	3.15%	3.23%	3.17%	2.37%	1.64%	2.33%	2.37%	2.04%	2.05%	2.17%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	1.63%	2.05%	3.11%	3.76%	5.92%	4.89%	2.11%	2.45%	2.10%	1.99%	1.48%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFESX and LZEMX in my portfolio?

DFESX and LZEMX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFESX or LZEMX?

DFESX has higher volatility (7.18%) compared to LZEMX (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFESX dropped -41.43% vs LZEMX's -60.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LZEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.28 vs 3.37), 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.