DFSE vs. EEMS
DFSE (Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF) and EEMS (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. DFSE is actively managed, while EEMS is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSE returned 16.55%/yr vs 12.77%/yr for EEMS. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSE charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for EEMS.
Performance
DFSE vs. EEMS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSE achieves a 13.49% return, which is significantly higher than EEMS's 9.50% return.
DFSE
- 1D
- -3.34%
- 1M
- -4.77%
- 6M
- 8.47%
- YTD
- 13.49%
- 1Y
- 25.67%
- 3Y*
- 16.55%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
EEMS
- 1D
- -2.45%
- 1M
- -3.38%
- 6M
- 6.64%
- YTD
- 9.50%
- 1Y
- 17.11%
- 3Y*
- 12.77%
- 5Y*
- 5.93%
- 10Y*
- 8.45%
DFSE vs. EEMS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSE Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 13.49% | 28.22% | 6.90% | 14.66% | 10.68% |
EEMS iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF | 9.50% | 19.78% | 3.13% | 23.09% | 5.47% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSE and EEMS 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 | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2022 | 0.88 |
The correlation between DFSE and EEMS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFSE vs. EEMS — Risk / Return Rank
DFSE
EEMS
DFSE vs. EEMS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF (EEMS). 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.
| DFSE | EEMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.24 | 1.18 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.00 | 1.58 | +0.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.80 | 4.98 | +1.82 |
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Drawdowns
DFSE vs. EEMS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSE drawdown since its inception was -19.77%, smaller than the maximum EEMS drawdown of -48.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSE and EEMS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSE | EEMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.77% | -48.89% | +29.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.88% | -10.87% | -2.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.77% | -19.71% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -27.07% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -48.89% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.78% | -6.77% | -1.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.01% | -10.46% | +6.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.79% | 3.45% | +0.34% |
Volatility
DFSE vs. EEMS - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE) has a higher volatility of 9.95% compared to iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF (EEMS) at 8.52%. This indicates that DFSE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EEMS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSE | EEMS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.95% | 8.52% | +1.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.53% | 17.79% | +1.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.47% | 19.42% | +2.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.36% | 16.60% | +1.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.36% | 18.12% | +0.24% |
DFSE vs. EEMS - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSE has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than EEMS's 0.73% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSE vs. EEMS - Dividend Comparison
DFSE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.95%, less than EEMS's 2.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSE Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 1.95% | 2.26% | 2.06% | 2.06% | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
EEMS iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Small-Cap ETF | 2.91% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.69% | 0.89% | 3.56% | 2.14% | 2.64% | 3.06% | 2.47% | 2.51% | 2.33% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSE and EEMS 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.
DFSE has higher volatility (9.95%) compared to EEMS (8.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSE dropped -19.77% vs EEMS's -48.89%.
On 3-year performance, DFSE leads with 16.55% vs 12.77% for EEMS. On fees, DFSE is cheaper at 0.41% per year. On volatility, EEMS has been the lower-risk option at 8.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFSE has performed better with a 16.55% return vs 12.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFSE is cheaper with a 0.41% expense ratio, compared with 0.73% for EEMS.
EEMS has the higher dividend yield at 2.91%, compared with 1.95% for DFSE.
They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DFSE and 0.73% for EEMS.
DFSE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 0.89), 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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