MFEM vs. DBEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFEM (PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DBEM (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - MFEM tracks the RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index while DBEM tracks the MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MFEM returned 8.84%/yr vs 9.74%/yr for DBEM. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MFEM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for DBEM.

Performance

MFEM vs. DBEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with MFEM having a 31.49% return and DBEM slightly higher at 32.18%.

MFEM

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 9.48%
• YTD: 31.49%
• 6M: 33.22%
• 1Y: 54.64%
• 3Y*: 23.28%
• 5Y*: 8.84%
• 10Y*: —

DBEM

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: 10.58%
• YTD: 32.18%
• 6M: 34.98%
• 1Y: 64.04%
• 3Y*: 25.82%
• 5Y*: 9.74%
• 10Y*: 10.73%

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

MFEM vs. DBEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	31.49%	25.33%	4.73%	15.14%	-19.50%	10.77%	11.33%	15.26%	-14.64%	4.82%
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	32.18%	30.42%	10.61%	10.53%	-17.00%	-2.26%	18.12%	16.77%	-10.81%	5.57%

Correlation

The correlation between MFEM and DBEM is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2017	0.87

The correlation between MFEM and DBEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

MFEM vs. DBEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MFEM	DBEM
Technology	23.1%	36.4%
Financial Services	17.7%	19.6%
Basic Materials	15.1%	6.6%
Industrials	12.2%	7.6%
Energy	8.7%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	8.3%	9.6%
Communication Services	4.8%	7.0%
Utilities	3.9%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.0%
Healthcare	1.7%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.1%

Return for Risk

MFEM vs. DBEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

MFEM

MFEM Risk / Return Rank: 83
MFEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
MFEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
MFEM Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
MFEM Martin Ratio Rank: 80

DBEM

DBEM Risk / Return Rank: 93
DBEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DBEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DBEM Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DBEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DBEM Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

MFEM vs. DBEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). 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.

	MFEM	DBEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	3.58	-0.71
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	4.62	-0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.64	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.27	6.13	-1.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.72	24.38	-8.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFEM vs. DBEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the DBEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFEM and DBEM, 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

	MFEM	DBEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	3.58	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.57	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.34	+0.10

Drawdowns

MFEM vs. DBEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFEM drawdown since its inception was -43.32%, which is greater than DBEM's maximum drawdown of -33.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFEM and DBEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFEM	DBEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.32%	-33.51%	-9.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-10.51%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.22%	-15.12%	-4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.39%	-30.48%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-0.69%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.49%	-11.69%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	2.63%	+0.86%

Volatility

MFEM vs. DBEM - Volatility Comparison

PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF (MFEM) has a higher volatility of 8.47% compared to Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM) at 7.53%. This indicates that MFEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DBEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFEM	DBEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	7.53%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.92%	15.53%	+1.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.11%	17.96%	+1.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.60%	17.08%	-0.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.40%	17.14%	+2.26%

MFEM vs. DBEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than DBEM's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFEM vs. DBEM - Dividend Comparison

MFEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, more than DBEM's 1.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	1.39%	1.84%	2.48%	2.55%	2.65%	1.77%	1.74%	2.59%	2.85%	1.51%	1.59%	3.49%
MFEM PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Markets Equity ETF	2.12%	2.77%	5.89%	4.01%	7.01%	29.96%	1.70%	2.37%	1.18%	0.21%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFEM and DBEM in my portfolio?

MFEM and DBEM have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFEM or DBEM?

MFEM has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to DBEM (7.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFEM dropped -43.32% vs DBEM's -33.51%.

Which ETF is better, MFEM or DBEM?

On 5-year performance, DBEM leads with 9.74% vs 8.84% for MFEM. On fees, MFEM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, DBEM has been the lower-risk option at 7.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MFEM or DBEM?

Over the 5-year period, DBEM has performed better with a 9.74% return vs 8.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MFEM or DBEM?

MFEM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for DBEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MFEM or DBEM?

MFEM has the higher dividend yield at 2.12%, compared with 1.39% for DBEM.

What is the main difference between MFEM and DBEM?

MFEM tracks RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor Emerging Market Index, while DBEM tracks MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: PIMCO and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for MFEM and 0.66% for DBEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.58 vs 2.87), 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.