DFTEX vs. EEM
DFTEX (DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund) and EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) are both funds - DFTEX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net). Over the past 10 years, DFTEX returned 2.35%/yr vs 9.91%/yr for EEM. At a correlation of -0.02, they often move in opposite directions. DFTEX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.72%/yr for EEM.
Performance
DFTEX vs. EEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFTEX achieves a 1.08% return, which is significantly lower than EEM's 24.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DFTEX has underperformed EEM with an annualized return of 2.35%, while EEM has yielded a comparatively higher 9.91% annualized return.
DFTEX
- 1D
- 0.62%
- 1M
- 1.42%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 1.49%
- 1Y
- 6.11%
- 3Y*
- 6.02%
- 5Y*
- 0.58%
- 10Y*
- 2.35%
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%
DFTEX vs. EEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund | 1.08% | 7.70% | 2.89% | 9.61% | -16.28% | -2.05% | 10.26% | 13.38% | -2.10% | 5.20% |
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 DFTEX and EEM is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.25 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.16 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.05 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | -0.02 |
The correlation between DFTEX and EEM shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFTEX vs. EEM — Risk / Return Rank
DFTEX
EEM
DFTEX vs. EEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) 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.
| DFTEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.40 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.96 | 3.36 | -1.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.35 | 12.38 | -6.03 |
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Drawdowns
DFTEX vs. EEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFTEX drawdown since its inception was -22.83%, smaller than the maximum EEM drawdown of -66.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFTEX and EEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFTEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.83% | -66.43% | +43.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.22% | -13.52% | +10.30% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.38% | -17.29% | +11.91% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.83% | -37.49% | +14.66% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.83% | -39.82% | +16.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.74% | -4.12% | +3.38% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.45% | -16.00% | +11.55% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.99% | 3.67% | -2.68% |
Volatility
DFTEX vs. EEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) is 1.45%, while iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a volatility of 10.80%. This indicates that DFTEX 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
| DFTEX | EEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.45% | 10.80% | -9.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.14% | 19.39% | -16.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.20% | 21.64% | -17.44% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.71% | 19.26% | -12.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.89% | 20.64% | -14.75% |
DFTEX vs. EEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFTEX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than EEM's 0.72% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFTEX vs. EEM - Dividend Comparison
DFTEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, more than EEM's 1.79% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund | 4.92% | 4.30% | 4.27% | 3.79% | 3.25% | 4.12% | 3.31% | 3.06% | 3.24% | 2.91% | 2.88% | 3.90% |
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
DFTEX and EEM have a correlation of 0.39, 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 DFTEX (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFTEX dropped -22.83% vs EEM's -66.43%.
EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.50), 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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