DFETX vs. DFAE

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio (DFETX) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE).

DFETX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on Aug 13, 1997. DFAE is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Dec 2, 2020.

Performance

DFETX vs. DFAE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio (DFETX) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFETX vs. DFAE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFETX DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio	3.68%	33.54%	6.86%	13.11%	-16.84%	2.58%	5.45%
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	4.95%	31.48%	7.68%	12.63%	-17.52%	3.53%	4.85%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFETX achieves a 3.68% return, which is significantly lower than DFAE's 4.95% return.

DFETX

• 1D: 2.51%
• 1M: -9.01%
• YTD: 3.68%
• 6M: 8.24%
• 1Y: 33.89%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 8.91%

DFAE

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: -6.60%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 8.22%
• 1Y: 34.15%
• 3Y*: 16.80%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFETX vs. DFAE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFETX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAE's 0.35% expense ratio.

DFETX

DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio

DFAE

Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF

Return for Risk

DFETX vs. DFAE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFETX

DFETX Risk / Return Rank: 90
DFETX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DFETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFETX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
DFETX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

DFAE

DFAE Risk / Return Rank: 86
DFAE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DFAE Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
DFAE Omega Ratio Rank: 85
DFAE Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFAE Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

DFETX vs. DFAE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio (DFETX) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE). 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.

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	1.77	+0.37
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	2.37	+0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.35	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	2.73	-0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.68	10.40	-0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFETX vs. DFAE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFETX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the DFAE Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFETX and DFAE, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	1.77	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.36	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.45	-0.09

Correlation

The correlation between DFETX and DFAE is 0.94, 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

DFETX vs. DFAE - Dividend Comparison

DFETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.95%, more than DFAE's 2.09% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFETX DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio	7.95%	8.24%	3.50%	3.84%	9.30%	19.29%	11.79%	12.48%	8.49%	1.93%	2.40%	3.40%
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	2.09%	2.20%	2.35%	2.43%	2.85%	1.63%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFETX vs. DFAE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFETX drawdown since its inception was -62.33%, which is greater than DFAE's maximum drawdown of -32.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFETX and DFAE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.33%	-32.21%	-30.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.84%	-12.80%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.80%	-32.21%	+0.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.65%	-9.02%	-1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.76%	-10.59%	-5.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	3.36%	-0.02%

Volatility

DFETX vs. DFAE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio (DFETX) is 8.56%, while Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) has a volatility of 9.12%. This indicates that DFETX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.56%	9.12%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.06%	14.33%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	19.37%	-2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.32%	17.36%	-2.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	17.49%	-1.09%