IYSAX vs. DEMIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IYSAX (Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund) and DEMIX (Delaware Emerging Markets Fund) are both mutual funds - IYSAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Delaware Funds, while DEMIX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Delaware Funds. Over the past 10 years, IYSAX returned 10.20%/yr vs 21.80%/yr for DEMIX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IYSAX charges 1.14%/yr vs 1.26%/yr for DEMIX.

Performance

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund (IYSAX) 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, IYSAX achieves a 13.98% return, which is significantly lower than DEMIX's 112.88% return. Over the past 10 years, IYSAX has underperformed DEMIX with an annualized return of 10.20%, while DEMIX has yielded a comparatively higher 21.80% annualized return.

IYSAX

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 2.44%
• YTD: 13.98%
• 6M: 14.53%
• 1Y: 29.32%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 7.12%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

DEMIX

• 1D: 2.49%
• 1M: 25.82%
• YTD: 112.88%
• 6M: 130.33%
• 1Y: 253.23%
• 3Y*: 66.83%
• 5Y*: 26.08%
• 10Y*: 21.80%

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

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IYSAX Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund	13.98%	8.74%	14.62%	16.48%	-15.55%	20.46%	7.06%	24.16%	-10.90%	13.27%
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	112.88%	86.79%	6.52%	17.59%	-28.66%	-2.08%	26.09%	24.33%	-17.10%	41.98%

Correlation

The correlation between IYSAX and DEMIX is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 1997	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between IYSAX and DEMIX has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IYSAX vs. DEMIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IYSAX

IYSAX Risk / Return Rank: 52
IYSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IYSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
IYSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IYSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
IYSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

DEMIX

DEMIX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DEMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DEMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
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.

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund (IYSAX) 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.

	IYSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	6.75	-4.80
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	5.52	-2.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.88	-0.54
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.23	12.33	-9.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.19	46.85	-34.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is lower than the DEMIX Sharpe Ratio of 6.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYSAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IYSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	6.75	-4.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	1.04	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.95	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.54	-0.17

Drawdowns

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYSAX drawdown since its inception was -48.76%, smaller than the maximum DEMIX drawdown of -63.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYSAX and DEMIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IYSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.76%	-63.15%	+14.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-21.01%	+11.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.50%	-22.62%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-43.95%	+9.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.72%	-46.29%	+4.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.67%	0.00%	-1.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.78%	-18.46%	+7.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	5.51%	-3.12%

Volatility

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund (IYSAX) is 4.35%, while Delaware Emerging Markets Fund (DEMIX) has a volatility of 17.10%. This indicates that IYSAX 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

	IYSAX	DEMIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.35%	17.10%	-12.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.05%	33.83%	-22.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.30%	38.39%	-23.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.00%	25.33%	+3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.85%	23.14%	+2.71%

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYSAX has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is lower than DEMIX's 1.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYSAX vs. DEMIX - Dividend Comparison

IYSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than DEMIX's 8.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DEMIX Delaware Emerging Markets Fund	8.91%	18.97%	1.99%	2.95%	1.89%	3.42%	0.87%	0.80%	0.65%	1.80%	0.94%	0.30%
IYSAX Delaware Ivy Smid Cap Core Fund	1.68%	1.88%	0.62%	0.45%	29.63%	19.36%	0.00%	0.67%	16.13%	2.22%	4.75%	15.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IYSAX and DEMIX in my portfolio?

IYSAX and DEMIX have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IYSAX or DEMIX?

DEMIX has higher volatility (17.10%) compared to IYSAX (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYSAX dropped -48.76% vs DEMIX's -63.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DEMIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (6.75 vs 1.95), 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.