GBFAX vs. PDEZX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GBFAX (VanEck Emerging Markets Fund) and PDEZX (PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, GBFAX returned 7.15%/yr vs 11.85%/yr for PDEZX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GBFAX charges 1.53%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for PDEZX.

Performance

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) and PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBFAX achieves a 23.54% return, which is significantly lower than PDEZX's 32.03% return. Over the past 10 years, GBFAX has underperformed PDEZX with an annualized return of 7.15%, while PDEZX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.85% annualized return.

GBFAX

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 23.54%
• 6M: 25.39%
• 1Y: 43.86%
• 3Y*: 20.03%
• 5Y*: 2.19%
• 10Y*: 7.15%

PDEZX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: -2.81%
• YTD: 32.03%
• 6M: 32.58%
• 1Y: 45.05%
• 3Y*: 27.39%
• 5Y*: 2.12%
• 10Y*: 11.85%

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

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBFAX VanEck Emerging Markets Fund	23.54%	30.27%	-0.31%	10.60%	-25.21%	-12.13%	16.43%	29.53%	-23.30%	49.70%
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	32.03%	14.88%	18.48%	16.12%	-41.65%	-0.86%	72.88%	30.33%	-18.26%	40.80%

Correlation

The correlation between GBFAX and PDEZX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2014	0.85

The correlation between GBFAX and PDEZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GBFAX vs. PDEZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBFAX

GBFAX Risk / Return Rank: 61
GBFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
GBFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
GBFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GBFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GBFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

PDEZX

PDEZX Risk / Return Rank: 52
PDEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
PDEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
PDEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
PDEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
PDEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) and PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX). 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.

	GBFAX	PDEZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	1.92	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	2.48	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	3.25	-0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.29	11.17	+1.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the PDEZX Sharpe Ratio of 1.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBFAX and PDEZX, 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

	GBFAX	PDEZX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	1.92	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.09	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.53	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.40	-0.04

Drawdowns

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBFAX drawdown since its inception was -75.51%, which is greater than PDEZX's maximum drawdown of -54.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBFAX and PDEZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBFAX	PDEZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.51%	-54.95%	-20.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.62%	-13.94%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.10%	-21.92%	+2.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.80%	-52.88%	+7.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.34%	-54.95%	+4.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-2.81%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-20.22%	+0.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	4.05%	-0.41%

Volatility

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) is 8.52%, while PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) has a volatility of 9.48%. This indicates that GBFAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PDEZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBFAX	PDEZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.52%	9.48%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.60%	19.91%	-2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.17%	23.64%	-3.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.53%	23.56%	-5.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	22.24%	-3.83%

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBFAX has a 1.53% expense ratio, which is higher than PDEZX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBFAX vs. PDEZX - Dividend Comparison

GBFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than PDEZX's 1.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBFAX VanEck Emerging Markets Fund	0.52%	0.64%	0.92%	1.17%	3.85%	8.09%	0.15%	1.56%	0.03%	0.10%	0.13%	0.01%
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	1.67%	2.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBFAX and PDEZX in my portfolio?

GBFAX and PDEZX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GBFAX or PDEZX?

PDEZX has higher volatility (9.48%) compared to GBFAX (8.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBFAX dropped -75.51% vs PDEZX's -54.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GBFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 1.92), 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.