EEM vs. DFISX
EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and DFISX (DFA International Small Company Portfolio) are both funds - EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while DFISX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, EEM returned 9.91%/yr vs 8.53%/yr for DFISX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EEM charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for DFISX.
Performance
EEM vs. DFISX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EEM achieves a 24.07% return, which is significantly higher than DFISX's 7.65% return. Over the past 10 years, EEM has outperformed DFISX with an annualized return of 9.91%, while DFISX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.53% annualized return.
EEM
- 1D
- 0.56%
- 1M
- 0.74%
- YTD
- 24.07%
- 6M
- 26.94%
- 1Y
- 47.57%
- 3Y*
- 21.60%
- 5Y*
- 6.56%
- 10Y*
- 9.91%
DFISX
- 1D
- 2.27%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 7.65%
- 6M
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 23.06%
- 3Y*
- 17.56%
- 5Y*
- 6.74%
- 10Y*
- 8.53%
EEM vs. DFISX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 24.07% | 33.98% | 6.49% | 8.95% | -20.56% | -3.63% | 17.02% | 18.22% | -15.31% | 37.26% |
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio | 7.65% | 36.35% | 3.76% | 14.46% | -17.13% | 10.71% | 9.27% | 24.18% | -19.42% | 24.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between EEM and DFISX is 0.75, 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 | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.74 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2003 | 0.74 |
The correlation between EEM and DFISX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
EEM vs. DFISX — Risk / Return Rank
EEM
DFISX
EEM vs. DFISX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX). 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.
| EEM | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.50 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.29 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.36 | 1.90 | +1.46 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.38 | 6.86 | +5.53 |
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Drawdowns
EEM vs. DFISX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EEM drawdown since its inception was -66.43%, which is greater than DFISX's maximum drawdown of -60.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEM and DFISX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EEM | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -66.43% | -60.66% | -5.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.52% | -11.96% | -1.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.29% | -13.68% | -3.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.49% | -35.06% | -2.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -39.82% | -43.00% | +3.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.12% | -3.11% | -1.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -16.00% | -11.64% | -4.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.67% | 3.29% | +0.38% |
Volatility
EEM vs. DFISX - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a higher volatility of 10.80% compared to DFA International Small Company Portfolio (DFISX) at 4.59%. This indicates that EEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFISX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EEM | DFISX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.80% | 4.59% | +6.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.39% | 11.57% | +7.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.64% | 14.17% | +7.47% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.26% | 15.96% | +3.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 16.21% | +4.43% |
EEM vs. DFISX - Expense Ratio Comparison
EEM has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than DFISX's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
EEM vs. DFISX - Dividend Comparison
EEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, less than DFISX's 2.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFISX DFA International Small Company Portfolio | 2.92% | 3.19% | 3.39% | 3.01% | 3.51% | 3.06% | 1.71% | 4.54% | 7.74% | 1.27% | 4.44% | 4.47% |
EEM iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 1.79% | 2.22% | 2.43% | 2.63% | 2.50% | 1.99% | 1.45% | 2.76% | 2.24% | 1.89% | 1.89% | 2.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
EEM and DFISX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
EEM has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to DFISX (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEM dropped -66.43% vs DFISX's -60.66%.
EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.60), 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.
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