DREGX vs. DRESX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DREGX (Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund) and DRESX (Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds from Driehaus. Over the past 10 years, DREGX returned 11.53%/yr vs 11.53%/yr for DRESX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DREGX charges 1.34%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for DRESX.

Performance

DREGX vs. DRESX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund (DREGX) and Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (DRESX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DREGX achieves a 30.36% return, which is significantly higher than DRESX's 20.11% return. Over a longer period, both investments have demonstrated similar performance, with their 10-year annualized returns being quite close: DREGX at 11.53% and DRESX at 11.53%.

DREGX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 8.15%
• YTD: 30.36%
• 6M: 32.83%
• 1Y: 59.11%
• 3Y*: 24.90%
• 5Y*: 7.83%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

DRESX

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -2.47%
• YTD: 20.11%
• 6M: 21.52%
• 1Y: 41.84%
• 3Y*: 22.01%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

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

DREGX vs. DRESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DREGX Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund	30.36%	29.95%	7.40%	11.26%	-22.54%	-1.95%	27.36%	25.34%	-16.26%	42.52%
DRESX Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	20.11%	24.08%	14.86%	10.30%	-21.17%	15.93%	33.56%	33.70%	-24.00%	33.30%

Correlation

The correlation between DREGX and DRESX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2011	0.81

The correlation between DREGX and DRESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DREGX vs. DRESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DREGX

DREGX Risk / Return Rank: 87
DREGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DREGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
DREGX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
DREGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
DREGX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

DRESX

DRESX Risk / Return Rank: 81
DRESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DRESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DRESX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DRESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DRESX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

DREGX vs. DRESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund (DREGX) and Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (DRESX). 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.

	DREGX	DRESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.21	2.80	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.98	3.78	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.52	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.34	4.22	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.57	13.96	+2.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DREGX vs. DRESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DREGX Sharpe Ratio is 3.21, which is comparable to the DRESX Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DREGX and DRESX, 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

	DREGX	DRESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.21	2.80	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.62	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.73	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.59	-0.05

Drawdowns

DREGX vs. DRESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DREGX drawdown since its inception was -65.44%, which is greater than DRESX's maximum drawdown of -33.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DREGX and DRESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DREGX	DRESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.44%	-33.38%	-32.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.82%	-10.16%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.47%	-17.65%	+0.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.41%	-25.88%	-10.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.47%	-33.38%	-3.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.25%	+5.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.40%	-9.91%	-7.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	3.06%	+0.55%

Volatility

DREGX vs. DRESX - Volatility Comparison

Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund (DREGX) has a higher volatility of 7.64% compared to Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (DRESX) at 6.11%. This indicates that DREGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DRESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DREGX	DRESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.64%	6.11%	+1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.69%	13.03%	+2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.72%	15.38%	+3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.27%	14.71%	+4.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.65%	15.90%	+2.75%

DREGX vs. DRESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DREGX has a 1.34% expense ratio, which is higher than DRESX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

DREGX vs. DRESX - Dividend Comparison

DREGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.30%, less than DRESX's 1.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DREGX Driehaus Emerging Markets Growth Fund	1.30%	1.69%	0.89%	1.81%	0.75%	16.71%	2.48%	0.82%	4.33%	0.59%
DRESX Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	1.87%	2.25%	0.68%	1.09%	0.00%	0.04%	0.65%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DREGX and DRESX in my portfolio?

DREGX and DRESX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DREGX or DRESX?

DREGX has higher volatility (7.64%) compared to DRESX (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DREGX dropped -65.44% vs DRESX's -33.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DREGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.21 vs 2.80), 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.