DFETX vs. DFAE

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFETX (DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio) and DFAE (Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF) are both funds - DFETX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Dimensional, while DFAE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DFETX returned 10.87%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for DFAE. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFETX charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for DFAE.

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.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFETX achieves a 31.43% return, which is significantly higher than DFAE's 29.00% return.

DFETX

• 1D: 3.06%
• 1M: 7.54%
• YTD: 31.43%
• 6M: 33.43%
• 1Y: 57.85%
• 3Y*: 24.31%
• 5Y*: 10.87%
• 10Y*: 11.56%

DFAE

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 7.40%
• YTD: 29.00%
• 6M: 30.44%
• 1Y: 53.34%
• 3Y*: 24.55%
• 5Y*: 9.93%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFETX vs. DFAE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFETX DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio	31.43%	33.54%	6.86%	13.11%	-16.84%	2.58%	5.82%
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	29.00%	31.48%	7.68%	12.63%	-17.52%	3.53%	5.93%

Correlation

The correlation between DFETX and DFAE is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2020	0.94

The correlation between DFETX and DFAE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

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: 95
DFETX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
DFETX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DFETX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DFETX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

DFAE

DFAE Risk / Return Rank: 81
DFAE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DFAE Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFAE Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DFAE Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
DFAE Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

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.

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	2.56	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.76	3.25	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.48	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.50	4.19	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.14	15.52	+1.62

DFETX vs. DFAE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFETX Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is comparable to the DFAE Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFETX and DFAE, 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

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 (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-18.12%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.29%	-31.73%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.65%	-10.26%	-5.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.35%	3.45%	-0.10%

Volatility

DFETX vs. DFAE - Volatility Comparison

DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio (DFETX) and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) have volatilities of 10.42% and 10.49%, 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

	DFETX	DFAE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.42%	10.49%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.35%	18.89%	-1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.06%	20.97%	-1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	18.27%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	18.20%	-1.37%

DFETX vs. DFAE - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

DFETX vs. DFAE - Dividend Comparison

DFETX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.27%, more than DFAE's 1.70% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF	1.70%	2.20%	2.35%	2.43%	2.85%	1.63%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFETX DFA Emerging Markets II Portfolio	6.27%	8.24%	3.50%	3.84%	9.30%	19.29%	11.79%	12.48%	8.49%	1.93%	2.40%	3.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFETX and DFAE in my portfolio?

DFETX and DFAE have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFETX or DFAE?

DFAE has higher volatility (10.49%) compared to DFETX (10.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFETX dropped -62.33% vs DFAE's -32.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFETX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 2.56), 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.