DRESX vs. BADEX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DRESX (Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund) and BADEX (BlackRock Defensive Advantage Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, DRESX returned 9.15%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for BADEX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DRESX charges 1.24%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for BADEX.

Performance

DRESX vs. BADEX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DRESX having a 20.46% return and BADEX slightly higher at 21.04%.

DRESX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 20.46%
• 6M: 21.61%
• 1Y: 40.82%
• 3Y*: 20.59%
• 5Y*: 9.15%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

BADEX

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 5.83%
• YTD: 21.04%
• 6M: 21.38%
• 1Y: 30.50%
• 3Y*: 15.84%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

DRESX vs. BADEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DRESX Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	20.46%	24.08%	14.86%	10.30%	-21.17%	15.93%	2.14%
BADEX BlackRock Defensive Advantage Emerging Markets Fund	21.04%	13.95%	10.15%	11.67%	-11.34%	4.49%	2.32%

Correlation

The correlation between DRESX and BADEX is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2020	0.73

The correlation between DRESX and BADEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DRESX vs. BADEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DRESX

DRESX Risk / Return Rank: 74
DRESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DRESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
DRESX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
DRESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
DRESX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

BADEX

BADEX Risk / Return Rank: 81
BADEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
BADEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BADEX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
BADEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BADEX 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.

DRESX vs. BADEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DRESX	BADEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.39	2.59	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	3.59	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.54	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	3.38	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	13.00	-1.56

DRESX vs. BADEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRESX Sharpe Ratio is 2.39, which is comparable to the BADEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRESX and BADEX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DRESX vs. BADEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRESX drawdown since its inception was -33.38%, which is greater than BADEX's maximum drawdown of -21.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRESX and BADEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRESX	BADEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.38%	-21.86%	-11.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.92%	-8.89%	-2.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.65%	-10.29%	-7.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.88%	-21.15%	-4.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.98%	0.00%	-4.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.89%	-5.59%	-4.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.46%	2.31%	+1.15%

Volatility

DRESX vs. BADEX - Volatility Comparison

Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (DRESX) has a higher volatility of 7.71% compared to BlackRock Defensive Advantage Emerging Markets Fund (BADEX) at 6.25%. This indicates that DRESX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BADEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRESX	BADEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.71%	6.25%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.66%	10.47%	+4.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.65%	11.61%	+5.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.01%	10.50%	+4.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.03%	10.60%	+5.43%

DRESX vs. BADEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRESX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is higher than BADEX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRESX vs. BADEX - Dividend Comparison

DRESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than BADEX's 6.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
BADEX BlackRock Defensive Advantage Emerging Markets Fund	6.21%	7.52%	2.27%	1.92%	2.43%	7.54%	0.03%	0.00%
DRESX Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund	1.87%	2.25%	0.68%	1.09%	0.00%	0.04%	0.65%	0.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRESX and BADEX in my portfolio?

DRESX and BADEX have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRESX or BADEX?

DRESX has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to BADEX (6.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRESX dropped -33.38% vs BADEX's -21.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BADEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.39), 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.