ESCIX vs. DESIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESCIX (Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund) and DESIX (DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, ESCIX returned 4.92%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for DESIX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESCIX charges 1.52%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for DESIX.

Performance

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund (ESCIX) 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, ESCIX achieves a 8.91% return, which is significantly lower than DESIX's 22.62% return.

ESCIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 8.91%
• 6M: 10.18%
• 1Y: 27.86%
• 3Y*: 15.58%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 9.82%

DESIX

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 7.89%
• YTD: 22.62%
• 6M: 24.35%
• 1Y: 43.70%
• 3Y*: 21.30%
• 5Y*: 12.23%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESCIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund	8.91%	26.07%	3.55%	19.64%	-24.45%	11.93%	43.41%	15.24%	-18.66%
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	22.62%	27.87%	6.66%	14.24%	-18.07%	24.59%	14.05%	16.69%	-6.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ESCIX and DESIX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2018	0.77

Over the past year, the correlation between ESCIX and DESIX has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.77, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ESCIX vs. DESIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESCIX

ESCIX Risk / Return Rank: 86
ESCIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ESCIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ESCIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ESCIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
ESCIX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

DESIX

DESIX Risk / Return Rank: 80
DESIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DESIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DESIX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
DESIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
DESIX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund (ESCIX) 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.

	ESCIX	DESIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.84	-0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.77	3.76	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.53	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.31	3.52	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.40	13.74	+5.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESCIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the DESIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESCIX 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

	ESCIX	DESIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.84	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.66	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.64	-0.25

Drawdowns

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESCIX drawdown since its inception was -48.76%, which is greater than DESIX's maximum drawdown of -36.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESCIX and DESIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESCIX	DESIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.76%	-36.03%	-12.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.70%	-12.70%	+7.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.97%	-16.82%	-3.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.59%	-29.09%	-7.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	0.00%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.33%	-7.74%	-5.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.52%	3.24%	-1.72%

Volatility

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund (ESCIX) is 0.00%, while DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DESIX) has a volatility of 6.77%. This indicates that ESCIX 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

	ESCIX	DESIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	6.77%	-6.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.42%	13.64%	-6.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	15.79%	-4.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.66%	18.53%	-2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.60%	18.63%	-1.03%

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESCIX has a 1.52% expense ratio, which is higher than DESIX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESCIX vs. DESIX - Dividend Comparison

ESCIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than DESIX's 2.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
DESIX DFA Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	2.15%	2.63%	2.79%	2.85%	2.51%	22.49%	1.38%	1.99%	1.21%	0.00%	0.00%
ESCIX Ashmore Emerging Markets Small Cap Equity Fund	0.42%	0.91%	0.00%	0.56%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.11%	1.66%	1.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESCIX and DESIX in my portfolio?

ESCIX and DESIX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESCIX or DESIX?

DESIX has higher volatility (6.77%) compared to ESCIX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESCIX dropped -48.76% vs DESIX's -36.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DESIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 2.63), 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.