MADCX vs. VFAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MADCX (BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.) and VFAIX (Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - MADCX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by BlackRock, while VFAIX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, MADCX returned 11.46%/yr vs 12.42%/yr for VFAIX. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MADCX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFAIX.

Performance

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (MADCX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MADCX achieves a 34.34% return, which is significantly higher than VFAIX's -5.08% return. Over the past 10 years, MADCX has underperformed VFAIX with an annualized return of 11.46%, while VFAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.42% annualized return.

MADCX

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: 10.17%
• YTD: 34.34%
• 6M: 38.51%
• 1Y: 65.24%
• 3Y*: 21.90%
• 5Y*: 5.54%
• 10Y*: 11.46%

VFAIX

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: -5.08%
• 6M: -2.61%
• 1Y: 3.83%
• 3Y*: 18.99%
• 5Y*: 8.33%
• 10Y*: 12.42%

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

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MADCX BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.	34.34%	30.47%	-1.09%	10.77%	-24.12%	-1.14%	24.53%	26.47%	-10.73%	42.09%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	-5.08%	14.90%	30.46%	14.07%	-12.26%	36.27%	-2.15%	31.63%	-13.47%	20.05%

Correlation

The correlation between MADCX and VFAIX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 3, 2004	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between MADCX and VFAIX has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MADCX vs. VFAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MADCX

MADCX Risk / Return Rank: 87
MADCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
MADCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
MADCX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MADCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
MADCX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VFAIX

VFAIX Risk / Return Rank: 4
VFAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
VFAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (MADCX) and Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX). 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.

	MADCX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.14	0.29	+2.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.85	0.48	+3.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.06	+0.52
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.20	0.29	+3.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.95	0.76	+16.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MADCX Sharpe Ratio is 3.14, which is higher than the VFAIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MADCX and VFAIX, 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

	MADCX	VFAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.14	0.29	+2.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.43	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.55	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.23	+0.15

Drawdowns

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MADCX drawdown since its inception was -66.58%, smaller than the maximum VFAIX drawdown of -78.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MADCX and VFAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MADCX	VFAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.58%	-78.64%	+12.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.57%	-14.72%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.25%	-17.31%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.70%	-25.71%	-14.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.82%	-44.37%	+0.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-7.97%	+7.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.37%	-18.61%	+0.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.85%	5.51%	-1.66%

Volatility

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (MADCX) has a higher volatility of 8.77% compared to Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFAIX) at 3.07%. This indicates that MADCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MADCX	VFAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.77%	3.07%	+5.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.16%	10.98%	+7.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.79%	14.68%	+6.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.16%	19.33%	-1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	22.60%	-4.03%

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MADCX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than VFAIX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

MADCX vs. VFAIX - Dividend Comparison

MADCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, more than VFAIX's 1.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MADCX BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.	3.17%	4.26%	1.90%	1.67%	2.22%	5.72%	0.97%	1.53%	0.98%	0.48%	1.82%	1.34%
VFAIX Vanguard Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.54%	1.56%	1.75%	2.08%	2.31%	2.62%	2.21%	2.17%	2.30%	1.54%	1.64%	2.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MADCX and VFAIX in my portfolio?

MADCX and VFAIX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MADCX or VFAIX?

MADCX has higher volatility (8.77%) compared to VFAIX (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MADCX dropped -66.58% vs VFAIX's -78.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MADCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.14 vs 0.29), 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.