NWFFX vs. LZEMX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

NWFFX (American Funds New World Fund Class F-1) and LZEMX (Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, NWFFX returned 10.64%/yr vs 10.40%/yr for LZEMX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NWFFX charges 0.96%/yr vs 1.06%/yr for LZEMX.

Performance

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds New World Fund Class F-1 (NWFFX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NWFFX achieves a 14.91% return, which is significantly lower than LZEMX's 24.14% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NWFFX having a 10.64% annualized return and LZEMX not far behind at 10.40%.

NWFFX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.78%
• 6M: 10.55%
• YTD: 14.91%
• 1Y: 27.59%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: 6.39%
• 10Y*: 10.64%

LZEMX

• 1D: 0.49%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 19.66%
• YTD: 24.14%
• 1Y: 44.38%
• 3Y*: 27.40%
• 5Y*: 13.86%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

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

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWFFX American Funds New World Fund Class F-1	14.91%	28.17%	6.46%	15.80%	-22.08%	4.69%	24.81%	27.54%	-12.34%	32.56%
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	24.14%	41.35%	7.60%	22.44%	-14.86%	5.37%	-0.07%	18.06%	-18.11%	28.02%

Correlation

The correlation between NWFFX and LZEMX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2001	0.87

The correlation between NWFFX and LZEMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NWFFX vs. LZEMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWFFX

NWFFX Risk / Return Rank: 50
NWFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
NWFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NWFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
NWFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NWFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

LZEMX

LZEMX Risk / Return Rank: 94
LZEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LZEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
LZEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
LZEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
LZEMX 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.

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds New World Fund Class F-1 (NWFFX) and Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX). 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.

	NWFFX	LZEMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	3.11	-1.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	4.00	-1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.56	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	4.29	-2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.11	14.82	-6.71

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWFFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the LZEMX Sharpe Ratio of 3.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWFFX and LZEMX, 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

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWFFX drawdown since its inception was -56.72%, smaller than the maximum LZEMX drawdown of -60.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWFFX and LZEMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWFFX	LZEMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.72%	-60.08%	+3.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.03%	-10.42%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-14.27%	-0.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.69%	-29.13%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.69%	-44.08%	+10.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.12%	-2.22%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.74%	-16.59%	+6.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	3.01%	+0.32%

Volatility

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds New World Fund Class F-1 (NWFFX) has a higher volatility of 7.33% compared to Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (LZEMX) at 5.55%. This indicates that NWFFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LZEMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWFFX	LZEMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.33%	5.55%	+1.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.95%	12.41%	+2.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.78%	14.36%	+2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.84%	14.52%	+1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.23%	16.33%	-0.10%

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWFFX has a 0.96% expense ratio, which is lower than LZEMX's 1.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWFFX vs. LZEMX - Dividend Comparison

NWFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.00%, more than LZEMX's 1.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LZEMX Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio	1.65%	2.05%	3.11%	3.76%	5.92%	4.89%	2.11%	2.45%	2.10%	1.99%	1.48%	2.14%
NWFFX American Funds New World Fund Class F-1	5.00%	5.75%	3.70%	2.48%	0.88%	6.95%	0.10%	3.70%	2.22%	1.92%	0.93%	0.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWFFX and LZEMX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, NWFFX and LZEMX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NWFFX or LZEMX?

NWFFX has higher volatility (7.33%) compared to LZEMX (5.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWFFX dropped -56.72% vs LZEMX's -60.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LZEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.11 vs 1.61), 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.