IRSAX vs. DEMIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IRSAX (Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund) and DEMIX (Delaware Emerging Markets Fund) are both mutual funds - IRSAX is a REIT fund managed by Delaware Funds, while DEMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Delaware Funds. Over the past 10 years, IRSAX returned 7.64%/yr vs 23.71%/yr for DEMIX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IRSAX charges 1.20%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for DEMIX.

Performance

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund (IRSAX) and Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IRSAX achieves a 14.61% return, which is significantly lower than DEMIX's 145.11% return. Over the past 10 years, IRSAX has underperformed DEMIX with an annualized return of 7.64%, while DEMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 23.71% annualized return.

IRSAX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.41%
• YTD: 14.61%
• 6M: 14.97%
• 1Y: 19.00%
• 3Y*: 18.74%
• 5Y*: 7.52%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

DEMIX

• 1D: 4.36%
• 1M: 29.09%
• YTD: 145.11%
• 6M: 162.34%
• 1Y: 271.84%
• 3Y*: 74.82%
• 5Y*: 30.44%
• 10Y*: 23.71%

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

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IRSAX Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund	14.61%	7.28%	23.62%	9.53%	-25.47%	43.57%	-3.51%	24.13%	-5.69%	5.29%
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	145.11%	86.79%	6.52%	17.59%	-28.66%	-2.08%	26.09%	24.33%	-17.10%	41.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IRSAX and DEMIX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 25, 1999	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between IRSAX and DEMIX has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IRSAX vs. DEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IRSAX

IRSAX Risk / Return Rank: 38
IRSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IRSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
IRSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
IRSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
IRSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

DEMIX

DEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
DEMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DEMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DEMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund (IRSAX) and Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX). 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.

	IRSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	6.06	-4.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	4.89	-2.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.81	-0.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.56	13.05	-10.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.41	47.63	-38.22

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IRSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the DEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 6.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IRSAX and DEMIX, 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

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IRSAX drawdown since its inception was -72.03%, which is greater than DEMIX's maximum drawdown of -63.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IRSAX and DEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IRSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.03%	-63.15%	-8.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-21.01%	+12.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.26%	-22.62%	+6.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.56%	-42.96%	+5.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.71%	-46.29%	+5.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	0.00%	-1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.22%	-18.43%	+5.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.18%	5.74%	-3.56%

Volatility

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund (IRSAX) is 4.84%, while Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) has a volatility of 25.62%. This indicates that IRSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DEMIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IRSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.84%	25.62%	-20.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.03%	41.21%	-31.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.45%	45.34%	-31.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.60%	27.58%	+1.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.64%	24.36%	+1.28%

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IRSAX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is lower than DEMIX's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

IRSAX vs. DEMIX - Dividend Comparison

IRSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.99%, more than DEMIX's 7.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	7.74%	18.97%	1.99%	2.95%	1.89%	3.42%	0.87%	0.80%	0.65%	1.80%	0.94%	0.30%
IRSAX Delaware Ivy Securian Real Estate Securities Fund	20.99%	24.77%	29.95%	9.61%	34.76%	13.03%	1.81%	9.69%	7.51%	12.71%	10.34%	5.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IRSAX and DEMIX in my portfolio?

IRSAX and DEMIX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IRSAX or DEMIX?

DEMIX has higher volatility (25.62%) compared to IRSAX (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IRSAX dropped -72.03% vs DEMIX's -63.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.06 vs 1.53), 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.