DFEV vs. SPEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) and SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEV is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional, while SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI. DFEV is actively managed, while SPEM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFEV returned 25.84%/yr vs 18.73%/yr for SPEM. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFEV charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for SPEM.

Performance

DFEV vs. SPEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) and SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEV achieves a 29.46% return, which is significantly higher than SPEM's 12.45% return.

DFEV

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 9.10%
• YTD: 29.46%
• 6M: 32.40%
• 1Y: 57.15%
• 3Y*: 25.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPEM

• 1D: -1.40%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 12.45%
• 6M: 14.11%
• 1Y: 31.35%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 9.45%

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

DFEV vs. SPEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF	29.46%	32.54%	7.26%	15.52%	-6.71%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	12.45%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-4.87%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEV and SPEM is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2022	0.93

The correlation between DFEV and SPEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

DFEV vs. SPEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFEV	SPEM
Technology	28.6%	28.2%
Financial Services	16.8%	20.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.5%	10.4%
Industrials	9.8%	8.5%
Energy	7.6%	4.7%
Basic Materials	7.4%	8.2%
Communication Services	3.5%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	3.9%
Healthcare	3.3%	4.0%
Real Estate	1.6%	1.9%
Utilities	0.8%	2.8%

Return for Risk

DFEV vs. SPEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFEV

DFEV Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DFEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFEV Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DFEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DFEV Martin Ratio Rank: 87

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

DFEV vs. SPEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) 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.

	DFEV	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.32	1.98	+1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.29	2.73	+1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.36	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.06	2.77	+2.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.06	10.14	+8.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFEV vs. SPEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEV Sharpe Ratio is 3.32, which is higher than the SPEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEV and SPEM, 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

	DFEV	SPEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32	1.98	+1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.33	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.23	+0.88

Drawdowns

DFEV vs. SPEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEV drawdown since its inception was -18.49%, smaller than the maximum SPEM drawdown of -64.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEV and SPEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEV	SPEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.49%	-64.41%	+45.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.35%	-11.36%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.94%	-17.62%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.88%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.06%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.36%	-1.40%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.65%	-14.75%	+10.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	3.10%	-0.09%

Volatility

DFEV vs. SPEM - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) has a higher volatility of 7.73% compared to SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) at 5.69%. This indicates that DFEV'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.

Volatility by Period

	DFEV	SPEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.73%	5.69%	+2.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.85%	13.29%	+1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.31%	15.92%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.42%	17.13%	-0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.42%	18.80%	-2.38%

DFEV vs. SPEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEV has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than SPEM's 0.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFEV vs. SPEM - Dividend Comparison

DFEV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.02%, less than SPEM's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF	2.02%	2.69%	3.17%	3.47%	3.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.47%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEV and SPEM in my portfolio?

DFEV and SPEM have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFEV or SPEM?

DFEV has higher volatility (7.73%) compared to SPEM (5.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEV dropped -18.49% vs SPEM's -64.41%.

Which ETF is better, DFEV or SPEM?

On 3-year performance, DFEV leads with 25.84% vs 18.73% for SPEM. On fees, SPEM is cheaper at 0.11% per year. On volatility, SPEM has been the lower-risk option at 5.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFEV or SPEM?

Over the 3-year period, DFEV has performed better with a 25.84% return vs 18.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFEV or SPEM?

SPEM is cheaper with a 0.11% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DFEV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFEV or SPEM?

SPEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 2.02% for DFEV.

What is the main difference between DFEV and SPEM?

DFEV is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while SPEM is Emerging Markets Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DFEV and 0.11% for SPEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 1.98), 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.