EICOX vs. BPLEX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

EICOX (Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund) and BPLEX (Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - EICOX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Eaton Vance, while BPLEX is a Long-Short fund managed by Boston Partners. Over the past 10 years, EICOX returned 13.34%/yr vs 13.36%/yr for BPLEX. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EICOX charges 1.31%/yr vs 2.21%/yr for BPLEX.

Performance

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund (EICOX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EICOX achieves a 25.55% return, which is significantly higher than BPLEX's 11.57% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EICOX having a 13.34% annualized return and BPLEX not far ahead at 13.36%.

EICOX

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: 3.84%
• YTD: 25.55%
• 6M: 29.13%
• 1Y: 47.86%
• 3Y*: 28.14%
• 5Y*: 15.58%
• 10Y*: 13.34%

BPLEX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 11.57%
• 6M: 14.52%
• 1Y: 32.54%
• 3Y*: 36.85%
• 5Y*: 23.92%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

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

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EICOX Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund	25.55%	33.22%	11.99%	25.78%	-14.59%	13.43%	13.46%	12.59%	-14.57%	31.41%
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	11.57%	27.87%	56.97%	14.93%	6.95%	31.73%	-5.82%	8.97%	-15.70%	2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between EICOX and BPLEX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2015	0.50

The correlation between EICOX and BPLEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.52 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EICOX vs. BPLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EICOX

EICOX Risk / Return Rank: 84
EICOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
EICOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EICOX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
EICOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
EICOX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

BPLEX

BPLEX Risk / Return Rank: 93
BPLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
BPLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
BPLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BPLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
BPLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund (EICOX) and Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX). 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.

	EICOX	BPLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.03	3.20	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	4.97	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.59	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.66	6.40	-2.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.06	23.04	-8.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EICOX Sharpe Ratio is 3.03, which is comparable to the BPLEX Sharpe Ratio of 3.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EICOX and BPLEX, 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

	EICOX	BPLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.03	3.20	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.14	0.63	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.46	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.76	0.55	+0.21

Drawdowns

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EICOX drawdown since its inception was -38.75%, smaller than the maximum BPLEX drawdown of -43.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EICOX and BPLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EICOX	BPLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.75%	-43.47%	+4.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.40%	-5.23%	-8.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.11%	-28.78%	+14.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.46%	-28.78%	+6.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.75%	-37.65%	-1.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.67%	0.00%	-1.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.68%	-6.61%	-2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	1.45%	+2.04%

Volatility

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Volatility Comparison

Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund (EICOX) has a higher volatility of 7.44% compared to Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund (BPLEX) at 3.78%. This indicates that EICOX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BPLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EICOX	BPLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.44%	3.78%	+3.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.44%	8.25%	+6.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.19%	10.48%	+5.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.73%	37.92%	-24.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.61%	29.29%	-15.68%

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EICOX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is lower than BPLEX's 2.21% expense ratio.

Dividends

EICOX vs. BPLEX - Dividend Comparison

EICOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, less than BPLEX's 9.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BPLEX Boston Partners Long/Short Equity Fund	9.81%	10.94%	58.72%	28.35%	15.19%	5.11%	44.84%	11.33%	9.69%	0.83%	0.00%	9.91%
EICOX Eaton Vance Emerging and Frontier Countries Equity Fund	2.93%	3.68%	2.02%	1.95%	5.72%	2.71%	0.10%	2.00%	2.95%	0.00%	0.59%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EICOX and BPLEX in my portfolio?

EICOX and BPLEX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EICOX or BPLEX?

EICOX has higher volatility (7.44%) compared to BPLEX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EICOX dropped -38.75% vs BPLEX's -43.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BPLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.20 vs 3.03), 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.