DFIVX vs. EEM
DFIVX (DFA International Value Portfolio) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - DFIVX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, DFIVX returned 12.11%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFIVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.
Performance
DFIVX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFIVX achieves a 11.58% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DFIVX has outperformed EEM with an annualized return of 12.11%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively lower 9.91% annualized return.
DFIVX
- 1D
- 2.28%
- 1M
- 0.82%
- YTD
- 11.58%
- 6M
- 13.38%
- 1Y
- 34.22%
- 3Y*
- 23.51%
- 5Y*
- 14.00%
- 10Y*
- 12.11%
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%
DFIVX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio | 11.58% | 45.24% | 6.87% | 17.83% | -3.51% | 18.57% | -2.13% | 15.68% | -17.49% | 26.08% |
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 DFIVX and EEM is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2003 | 0.77 |
The correlation between DFIVX and EEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFIVX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank
DFIVX
EEM
DFIVX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Value Portfolio (DFIVX) 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.
| DFIVX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.53 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.40 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.60 | 3.36 | +0.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.00 | 12.38 | +1.62 |
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Drawdowns
DFIVX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFIVX drawdown since its inception was -66.61%, roughly equal to the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIVX and EEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFIVX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.61% | -66.43% | -0.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.58% | -13.52% | +3.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.39% | -17.29% | +2.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.29% | -37.49% | +12.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.11% | -39.82% | -8.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.55% | -4.12% | +2.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.23% | -16.00% | +3.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.46% | 3.67% | -1.21% |
Volatility
DFIVX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA International Value Portfolio (DFIVX) is 4.48%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 10.80%. This indicates that DFIVX 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
| DFIVX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.48% | 10.80% | -6.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.46% | 19.39% | -7.93% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.26% | 21.64% | -7.38% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.36% | 19.26% | -2.90% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.01% | 20.64% | -2.63% |
DFIVX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFIVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFIVX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison
DFIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, more than EEM's 1.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFIVX DFA International Value Portfolio | 3.77% | 4.21% | 3.94% | 4.40% | 3.78% | 4.37% | 2.42% | 3.70% | 6.60% | 2.85% | 3.36% | 3.45% |
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
DFIVX and EEM have a correlation of 0.71, 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 DFIVX (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIVX dropped -66.61% vs EEM's -66.43%.
DFIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 2.10), 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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