DWGAX vs. LZEMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DWGAX (American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund) and LZEMX (Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, DWGAX returned 8.41%/yr vs 11.13%/yr for LZEMX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DWGAX charges 1.23%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for LZEMX.

Performance

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DWGAX achieves a 22.10% return, which is significantly lower than LZEMX's 26.96% return. Over the past 10 years, DWGAX has underperformed LZEMX with an annualized return of 8.41%, while LZEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.13% annualized return.

DWGAX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 7.55%
• YTD: 22.10%
• 6M: 23.59%
• 1Y: 46.56%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 6.02%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

LZEMX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 7.95%
• YTD: 26.96%
• 6M: 29.16%
• 1Y: 57.41%
• 3Y*: 29.23%
• 5Y*: 13.38%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DWGAX American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund	22.10%	34.25%	3.57%	11.28%	-23.47%	0.50%	12.07%	23.50%	-14.90%	27.69%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	26.96%	41.35%	7.60%	22.44%	-14.86%	5.37%	-0.07%	18.06%	-18.11%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between DWGAX and LZEMX 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	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 12, 2014	0.90

The correlation between DWGAX and LZEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DWGAX vs. LZEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DWGAX

DWGAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
DWGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DWGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
DWGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DWGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DWGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

LZEMX

LZEMX Risk / Return Rank: 96
LZEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
LZEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
LZEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
LZEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
LZEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). 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.

	DWGAX	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.08	4.35	-1.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.10	5.54	-1.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.81	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.58	5.58	-2.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.72	20.53	-6.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DWGAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.08, which is comparable to the LZEMX Sharpe Ratio of 4.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DWGAX and LZEMX, 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

	DWGAX	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08	4.35	-1.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.94	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	0.68	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.41	-0.05

Drawdowns

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DWGAX drawdown since its inception was -38.71%, smaller than the maximum LZEMX drawdown of -60.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DWGAX and LZEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DWGAX	LZEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-60.08%	+21.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.26%	-10.42%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-14.27%	-0.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.35%	-30.55%	-7.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.71%	-44.08%	+5.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.92%	-16.63%	+2.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.83%	+0.62%

Volatility

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (DWGAX) has a higher volatility of 6.27% compared to Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX) at 5.21%. This indicates that DWGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LZEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DWGAX	LZEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.27%	5.21%	+1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.90%	10.95%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	13.37%	+2.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.27%	14.32%	+1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.47%	16.39%	+0.08%

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DWGAX has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than LZEMX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

DWGAX vs. LZEMX - Dividend Comparison

DWGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, more than LZEMX's 1.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DWGAX American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund	1.64%	1.87%	1.12%	1.63%	1.09%	1.01%	1.46%	1.81%	2.28%	2.02%	2.01%	2.05%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	1.61%	2.05%	3.11%	3.76%	5.92%	4.89%	2.11%	2.45%	2.10%	1.99%	1.48%	2.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DWGAX and LZEMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, DWGAX and LZEMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DWGAX or LZEMX?

DWGAX has higher volatility (6.27%) compared to LZEMX (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DWGAX dropped -38.71% vs LZEMX's -60.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LZEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.35 vs 3.08), 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.