IPOAX vs. DEFFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

IPOAX (Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and DEFFX (Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund) are both mutual funds - IPOAX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Delaware Funds by Macquarie, while DEFFX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Delaware Funds by Macquarie. Over the past 10 years, IPOAX returned 10.67%/yr vs 2.04%/yr for DEFFX. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. IPOAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.85%/yr for DEFFX.

Performance

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund (IPOAX) and Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IPOAX achieves a 29.30% return, which is significantly higher than DEFFX's 2.27% return. Over the past 10 years, IPOAX has outperformed DEFFX with an annualized return of 10.67%, while DEFFX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.04% annualized return.

IPOAX

• 1D: 2.66%
• 1M: 7.04%
• YTD: 29.30%
• 6M: 32.17%
• 1Y: 48.61%
• 3Y*: 21.10%
• 5Y*: 5.05%
• 10Y*: 10.67%

DEFFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 2.23%
• YTD: 2.27%
• 6M: 2.68%
• 1Y: 8.68%
• 3Y*: 4.15%
• 5Y*: 0.91%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

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

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IPOAX Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund	29.30%	26.53%	7.71%	10.86%	-27.56%	-4.67%	35.01%	23.23%	-19.83%	42.47%
DEFFX Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund	2.27%	4.51%	3.36%	4.20%	-9.79%	2.13%	4.02%	7.35%	0.89%	5.36%

Correlation

The correlation between IPOAX and DEFFX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	-0.06

The correlation between IPOAX and DEFFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

IPOAX vs. DEFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IPOAX

IPOAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
IPOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
IPOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
IPOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
IPOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
IPOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

DEFFX

DEFFX Risk / Return Rank: 69
DEFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
DEFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DEFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DEFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DEFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund (IPOAX) and Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX). 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.

	IPOAX	DEFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.51	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	3.83	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.61	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	2.42	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.83	8.57	+4.26

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IPOAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the DEFFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IPOAX and DEFFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IPOAX drawdown since its inception was -67.11%, which is greater than DEFFX's maximum drawdown of -14.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IPOAX and DEFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IPOAX	DEFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.11%	-14.70%	-52.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.39%	-3.62%	-9.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.86%	-7.31%	-9.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.52%	-14.70%	-27.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.79%	-14.70%	-31.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.03%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.64%	-1.81%	-21.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.75%	1.02%	+2.73%

Volatility

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Volatility Comparison

Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund (IPOAX) has a higher volatility of 10.25% compared to Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund (DEFFX) at 0.93%. This indicates that IPOAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IPOAX	DEFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.25%	0.93%	+9.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.97%	2.62%	+15.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.32%	3.49%	+16.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.39%	4.71%	+15.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.45%	4.34%	+16.11%

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IPOAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DEFFX's 0.85% expense ratio.

Dividends

IPOAX vs. DEFFX - Dividend Comparison

IPOAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.74%, more than DEFFX's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEFFX Delaware Tax-Free Minnesota Fund	3.60%	4.69%	3.94%	2.81%	2.59%	2.18%	2.77%	3.63%	3.51%	4.33%	3.26%	3.52%
IPOAX Delaware Ivy Systematic Emerging Markets Equity Fund	7.74%	10.01%	3.35%	3.23%	14.83%	0.55%	0.75%	0.74%	0.68%	0.00%	0.00%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IPOAX and DEFFX in my portfolio?

IPOAX and DEFFX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IPOAX or DEFFX?

IPOAX has higher volatility (10.25%) compared to DEFFX (0.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IPOAX dropped -67.11% vs DEFFX's -14.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.37), 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.