DFESX vs. SSKEX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFESX (DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio) and SSKEX (State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DFESX returned 11.40%/yr vs 10.86%/yr for SSKEX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFESX charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SSKEX.

Performance

DFESX vs. SSKEX - 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 State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DFESX having a 30.38% return and SSKEX slightly higher at 30.71%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFESX having a 11.40% annualized return and SSKEX not far behind at 10.86%.

DFESX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 7.94%
• YTD: 30.38%
• 6M: 31.52%
• 1Y: 53.49%
• 3Y*: 24.48%
• 5Y*: 10.00%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

SSKEX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 7.68%
• YTD: 30.71%
• 6M: 32.40%
• 1Y: 56.39%
• 3Y*: 24.97%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 10.86%

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

DFESX vs. SSKEX - 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	30.38%	29.95%	7.16%	14.58%	-18.49%	4.16%	12.99%	17.12%	-14.87%	37.30%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	30.71%	33.79%	7.00%	9.50%	-20.23%	-2.80%	18.20%	18.16%	-14.78%	37.18%

Correlation

The correlation between DFESX 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 4, 2016	0.91

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

Return for Risk

DFESX vs. SSKEX — 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: 94
DFESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
DFESX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DFESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFESX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

SSKEX

SSKEX Risk / Return Rank: 90
SSKEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
SSKEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
SSKEX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
SSKEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SSKEX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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. SSKEX - 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 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.

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.

	DFESX	SSKEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	3.00	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	3.77	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.57	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.28	4.52	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.35	16.46	-0.11

DFESX vs. SSKEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFESX Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is comparable to the SSKEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFESX 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.

Drawdowns

DFESX vs. SSKEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFESX drawdown since its inception was -41.43%, which is greater than SSKEX's maximum drawdown of -39.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFESX and SSKEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFESX	SSKEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.43%	-39.23%	-2.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.79%	-12.44%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.53%	-16.09%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.41%	-36.85%	+4.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.43%	-39.23%	-2.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-13.22%	+2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	3.41%	-0.08%

Volatility

DFESX vs. SSKEX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc - Emerging Markets Social Core Equity Portfolio (DFESX) and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (SSKEX) have volatilities of 9.97% and 9.90%, 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

	DFESX	SSKEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.97%	9.90%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.78%	16.66%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.51%	18.77%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.60%	16.99%	-1.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.31%	17.49%	-1.18%

DFESX vs. SSKEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFESX has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than SSKEX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFESX vs. SSKEX - Dividend Comparison

DFESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than SSKEX's 2.18% 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	2.10%	2.59%	3.15%	3.23%	3.17%	2.37%	1.64%	2.33%	2.37%	2.04%	2.05%	2.17%
SSKEX State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund	2.18%	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 DFESX and SSKEX in my portfolio?

DFESX 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, DFESX or SSKEX?

DFESX has higher volatility (9.97%) compared to SSKEX (9.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFESX dropped -41.43% vs SSKEX's -39.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSKEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.97), 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.