EVLU vs. DFEV

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EVLU (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF) and DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EVLU is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor Select Index (Net), while DFEV is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional. EVLU is passively managed, while DFEV is actively managed. Over the past year, EVLU returned 76.75% vs 57.15% for DFEV. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EVLU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for DFEV.

Performance

EVLU vs. DFEV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EVLU achieves a 37.12% return, which is significantly higher than DFEV's 29.46% return.

EVLU

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: 17.76%
• YTD: 37.12%
• 6M: 40.51%
• 1Y: 76.75%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFEV

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 9.10%
• YTD: 29.46%
• 6M: 32.40%
• 1Y: 57.15%
• 3Y*: 25.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

EVLU vs. DFEV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF	37.12%	38.54%	1.61%
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF	29.46%	32.54%	0.71%

Correlation

The correlation between EVLU and DFEV is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2024	0.93

The correlation between EVLU and DFEV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EVLU vs. DFEV — Risk / Return Rank

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

EVLU

EVLU Risk / Return Rank: 93
EVLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EVLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
EVLU Omega Ratio Rank: 95
EVLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
EVLU Martin Ratio Rank: 91

DFEV

DFEV Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFEV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DFEV Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFEV Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DFEV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
DFEV Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

EVLU vs. DFEV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV). 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.

	EVLU	DFEV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.09	3.32	+0.77
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	5.03	4.29	+0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.61	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.03	5.06	+0.97
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	22.39	19.06	+3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EVLU vs. DFEV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EVLU Sharpe Ratio is 4.09, which is comparable to the DFEV Sharpe Ratio of 3.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EVLU and DFEV, 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

	EVLU	DFEV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.09	3.32	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.34	1.11	+1.23

Drawdowns

EVLU vs. DFEV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EVLU drawdown since its inception was -17.17%, smaller than the maximum DFEV drawdown of -18.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EVLU and DFEV.

Drawdown Indicators

	EVLU	DFEV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.17%	-18.49%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.90%	-11.35%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.36%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.48%	-4.65%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.47%	3.01%	+0.46%

Volatility

EVLU vs. DFEV - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF (EVLU) has a higher volatility of 8.68% compared to Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) at 7.73%. This indicates that EVLU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFEV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EVLU	DFEV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.68%	7.73%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.02%	14.85%	+1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.88%	17.31%	+1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.86%	16.42%	+3.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.86%	16.42%	+3.44%

EVLU vs. DFEV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EVLU has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than DFEV's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

EVLU vs. DFEV - Dividend Comparison

EVLU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.79%, more than DFEV's 2.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF	2.02%	2.69%	3.17%	3.47%	3.35%
EVLU iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF	3.79%	5.20%	1.03%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EVLU and DFEV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, EVLU and DFEV 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, EVLU or DFEV?

EVLU has higher volatility (8.68%) compared to DFEV (7.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EVLU dropped -17.17% vs DFEV's -18.49%.

Which ETF is better, EVLU or DFEV?

On 1-year performance, EVLU leads with 76.75% vs 57.15% for DFEV. On fees, EVLU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, DFEV has been the lower-risk option at 7.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EVLU or DFEV?

Over the 1-year period, EVLU has performed better with a 76.75% return vs 57.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EVLU or DFEV?

EVLU is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DFEV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EVLU or DFEV?

EVLU has the higher dividend yield at 3.79%, compared with 2.02% for DFEV.

What is the main difference between EVLU and DFEV?

EVLU is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DFEV is Emerging Markets Diversified. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for EVLU and 0.43% for DFEV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EVLU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.09 vs 3.32), 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.