JPEM vs. DFEMX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JPEM (J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DFEMX (DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio) are both funds - JPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the JPMorgan Diversified Factor Emerging Markets Equity Index, while DFEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, JPEM returned 7.80%/yr vs 11.44%/yr for DFEMX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JPEM charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for DFEMX.

Performance

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF (JPEM) and DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio (DFEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPEM achieves a 7.27% return, which is significantly lower than DFEMX's 30.41% return. Over the past 10 years, JPEM has underperformed DFEMX with an annualized return of 7.80%, while DFEMX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.44% annualized return.

JPEM

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 7.27%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 22.05%
• 3Y*: 13.62%
• 5Y*: 6.05%
• 10Y*: 7.80%

DFEMX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 8.41%
• YTD: 30.41%
• 6M: 33.84%
• 1Y: 57.94%
• 3Y*: 25.69%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 11.44%

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

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPEM J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF	7.27%	22.90%	4.23%	11.01%	-9.03%	8.11%	-0.46%	16.21%	-10.55%	28.80%
DFEMX DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio	30.41%	33.57%	6.90%	13.08%	-16.91%	2.53%	13.89%	16.02%	-13.62%	36.57%

Correlation

The correlation between JPEM and DFEMX is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2015	0.85

The correlation between JPEM and DFEMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (1 year) to 0.86 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JPEM vs. DFEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JPEM

JPEM Risk / Return Rank: 49
JPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
JPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
JPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 52
JPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
JPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 48

DFEMX

DFEMX Risk / Return Rank: 92
DFEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DFEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
DFEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF (JPEM) and DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio (DFEMX). 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.

	JPEM	DFEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	3.61	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	4.59	-2.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.67	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	4.72	-2.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.02	18.99	-10.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is lower than the DFEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPEM and DFEMX, 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

	JPEM	DFEMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.71	3.61	-1.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.64	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.69	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.41	-0.08

Drawdowns

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPEM drawdown since its inception was -40.22%, smaller than the maximum DFEMX drawdown of -62.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPEM and DFEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPEM	DFEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.22%	-62.43%	+22.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.32%	-12.85%	+2.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.30%	-16.12%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.57%	-31.84%	+10.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.22%	-40.44%	+0.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-0.68%	-2.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.47%	-15.34%	+5.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.76%	3.17%	-0.41%

Volatility

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF (JPEM) is 4.38%, while DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio (DFEMX) has a volatility of 7.63%. This indicates that JPEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JPEM	DFEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	7.63%	-3.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	14.74%	-3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.96%	16.81%	-3.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.49%	15.69%	-2.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.04%	16.57%	+0.47%

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPEM has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than DFEMX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

JPEM vs. DFEMX - Dividend Comparison

JPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.40%, more than DFEMX's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEMX DFA Emerging Markets Portfolio	1.95%	2.55%	3.14%	3.34%	3.90%	6.13%	1.45%	2.33%	2.14%	1.74%	1.92%	2.08%
JPEM J.P. Morgan Diversified Return Emerging Markets Equity ETF	4.40%	4.65%	5.12%	4.46%	4.71%	4.40%	2.85%	3.47%	2.79%	2.14%	1.28%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JPEM and DFEMX in my portfolio?

JPEM and DFEMX have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPEM or DFEMX?

DFEMX has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to JPEM (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPEM dropped -40.22% vs DFEMX's -62.43%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.61 vs 1.71), 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.