DFGEX vs. EEM
DFGEX (DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - DFGEX is a REIT fund managed by Dimensional, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, DFGEX returned 4.11%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFGEX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.
Performance
DFGEX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFGEX achieves a 10.89% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DFGEX has underperformed EEM with an annualized return of 4.11%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.91% annualized return.
DFGEX
- 1D
- 0.35%
- 1M
- 3.29%
- YTD
- 10.89%
- 6M
- 11.70%
- 1Y
- 13.17%
- 3Y*
- 10.06%
- 5Y*
- 2.03%
- 10Y*
- 4.11%
EEM
- 1D
- 0.56%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 24.07%
- 6M
- 26.94%
- 1Y
- 47.57%
- 3Y*
- 21.60%
- 5Y*
- 6.56%
- 10Y*
- 9.91%
DFGEX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio | 10.89% | 7.92% | 1.92% | 9.54% | -23.84% | 31.03% | -6.71% | 26.32% | -4.12% | 5.95% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 24.07% | 33.98% | 6.49% | 8.95% | -20.56% | -3.63% | 17.02% | 18.22% | -15.31% | 37.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFGEX and EEM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | 0.50 |
The correlation between DFGEX and EEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFGEX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank
DFGEX
EEM
DFGEX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM). 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.
| DFGEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.40 | -0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.42 | 3.36 | -1.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.97 | 12.38 | -7.42 |
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Drawdowns
DFGEX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFGEX drawdown since its inception was -42.67%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFGEX and EEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFGEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.67% | -66.43% | +23.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | -13.52% | +4.48% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.37% | -17.29% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.78% | -37.49% | +4.71% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.67% | -39.82% | -2.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -4.12% | +4.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.63% | -16.00% | +6.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.58% | 3.67% | -1.09% |
Volatility
DFGEX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) is 3.97%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 10.80%. This indicates that DFGEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFGEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.97% | 10.80% | -6.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.87% | 19.39% | -10.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.92% | 21.64% | -9.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.29% | 19.26% | -2.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.72% | 20.64% | -2.92% |
DFGEX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFGEX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFGEX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison
DFGEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.67%, more than EEM's 1.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio | 3.67% | 4.07% | 3.78% | 3.36% | 5.70% | 4.50% | 2.29% | 6.95% | 5.09% | 0.64% | 0.32% | 2.45% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 1.79% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFGEX and EEM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EEM has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to DFGEX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFGEX dropped -42.67% vs EEM's -66.43%.
EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.08), 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.
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