DRESX vs. USEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DRESX (Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund) and USEMX (USAA Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DRESX returned 11.53%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for USEMX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DRESX charges 1.24%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for USEMX.

Performance

DRESX vs. USEMX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRESX achieves a 20.11% return, which is significantly lower than USEMX's 35.03% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DRESX having a 11.53% annualized return and USEMX not far behind at 11.13%.

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%

USEMX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 10.71%
• YTD: 35.03%
• 6M: 37.98%
• 1Y: 66.43%
• 3Y*: 27.65%
• 5Y*: 10.02%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

DRESX vs. USEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
USEMX USAA Emerging Markets Fund	35.03%	36.50%	5.13%	16.07%	-20.24%	-1.22%	16.74%	22.91%	-20.05%	33.55%

Correlation

The correlation between DRESX and USEMX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 29, 2011	0.75

The correlation between DRESX and USEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DRESX vs. USEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

USEMX

USEMX Risk / Return Rank: 93
USEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
USEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
USEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
USEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
USEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. USEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DRESX	USEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	3.63	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	4.41	-0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.67	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	5.18	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.96	20.79	-6.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DRESX vs. USEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRESX Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the USEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRESX and USEMX, 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

	DRESX	USEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	3.63	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	0.60	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.63	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.31	+0.28

Drawdowns

DRESX vs. USEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRESX drawdown since its inception was -33.38%, smaller than the maximum USEMX drawdown of -64.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRESX and USEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRESX	USEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.38%	-64.84%	+31.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.16%	-12.93%	+2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.65%	-16.26%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.88%	-35.49%	+9.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.38%	-40.29%	+6.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.25%	0.00%	-5.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.91%	-19.30%	+9.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.06%	3.21%	-0.15%

Volatility

DRESX vs. USEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Driehaus Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund (DRESX) is 6.11%, while USAA Emerging Markets Fund (USEMX) has a volatility of 8.10%. This indicates that DRESX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRESX	USEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.11%	8.10%	-1.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	15.63%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	18.45%	-3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.71%	16.90%	-2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.90%	17.79%	-1.89%

DRESX vs. USEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRESX has a 1.24% expense ratio, which is lower than USEMX's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRESX vs. USEMX - Dividend Comparison

DRESX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than USEMX's 6.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
USEMX USAA Emerging Markets Fund	6.46%	8.73%	3.20%	1.83%	1.73%	0.70%	1.04%	0.32%	1.29%	0.33%	0.91%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRESX and USEMX in my portfolio?

DRESX and USEMX have a correlation of 0.81, 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 USEMX?

USEMX has higher volatility (8.10%) compared to DRESX (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRESX dropped -33.38% vs USEMX's -64.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.63 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.