EAEMX vs. DESIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EAEMX (Parametric Emerging Markets Fund) and DESIX (DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, EAEMX returned 6.71%/yr vs 11.86%/yr for DESIX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EAEMX charges 1.58%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for DESIX.

Performance

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parametric Emerging Markets Fund (EAEMX) and DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EAEMX achieves a 12.43% return, which is significantly lower than DESIX's 21.43% return.

EAEMX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 2.80%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 13.84%
• 1Y: 31.24%
• 3Y*: 16.68%
• 5Y*: 6.71%
• 10Y*: 7.20%

DESIX

• 1D: 2.23%
• 1M: 7.49%
• YTD: 21.43%
• 6M: 23.14%
• 1Y: 42.72%
• 3Y*: 20.90%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: —

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

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EAEMX Parametric Emerging Markets Fund	12.43%	27.16%	5.39%	9.46%	-11.27%	4.19%	2.65%	12.32%	-5.68%
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	21.43%	27.87%	6.66%	14.24%	-18.07%	24.59%	14.05%	16.69%	-6.48%

Correlation

The correlation between EAEMX and DESIX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2018	0.92

The correlation between EAEMX and DESIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EAEMX vs. DESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAEMX

EAEMX Risk / Return Rank: 74
EAEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
EAEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
EAEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
EAEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
EAEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

DESIX

DESIX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
DESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
DESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parametric Emerging Markets Fund (EAEMX) and DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX). 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.

	EAEMX	DESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	2.81	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	3.73	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.53	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.35	-0.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.44	13.14	-1.70
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is comparable to the DESIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAEMX and DESIX, 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

	EAEMX	DESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	2.81	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.64	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.63	-0.33

Drawdowns

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAEMX drawdown since its inception was -62.70%, which is greater than DESIX's maximum drawdown of -36.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAEMX and DESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAEMX	DESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.70%	-36.03%	-26.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.90%	-12.70%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.74%	-16.82%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-29.09%	+3.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.16%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.48%	-7.74%	-5.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	3.24%	-0.55%

Volatility

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Parametric Emerging Markets Fund (EAEMX) is 4.00%, while DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX) has a volatility of 6.75%. This indicates that EAEMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DESIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EAEMX	DESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	6.75%	-2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.83%	13.61%	-3.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.58%	15.80%	-4.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.60%	18.53%	-6.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.43%	18.63%	-5.20%

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAEMX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is higher than DESIX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

EAEMX vs. DESIX - Dividend Comparison

EAEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than DESIX's 2.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	2.17%	2.63%	2.79%	2.85%	2.51%	22.49%	1.38%	1.99%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
EAEMX Parametric Emerging Markets Fund	2.51%	2.83%	3.00%	2.71%	4.40%	1.64%	1.08%	2.48%	2.14%	2.31%	1.52%	1.68%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAEMX and DESIX in my portfolio?

EAEMX and DESIX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EAEMX or DESIX?

DESIX has higher volatility (6.75%) compared to EAEMX (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAEMX dropped -62.70% vs DESIX's -36.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.81 vs 2.77), 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.