PCEMX vs. HLFMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PCEMX (PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments) and HLFMX (Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, PCEMX returned 10.42%/yr vs 3.91%/yr for HLFMX. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PCEMX charges 1.20%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for HLFMX.

Performance

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments (PCEMX) and Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund (HLFMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCEMX achieves a 30.04% return, which is significantly higher than HLFMX's 2.80% return. Over the past 10 years, PCEMX has outperformed HLFMX with an annualized return of 10.42%, while HLFMX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.91% annualized return.

PCEMX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: 10.47%
• YTD: 30.04%
• 6M: 32.30%
• 1Y: 60.94%
• 3Y*: 24.68%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

HLFMX

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 2.80%
• 6M: 3.93%
• 1Y: 13.21%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: 3.91%

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

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PCEMX PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments	30.04%	36.75%	4.15%	10.33%	-18.97%	-1.79%	20.13%	19.01%	-16.42%	34.14%
HLFMX Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund	2.80%	16.95%	8.76%	10.43%	-18.91%	10.18%	0.11%	10.88%	-15.45%	25.08%

Correlation

The correlation between PCEMX and HLFMX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 29, 2008	0.63

The correlation between PCEMX and HLFMX shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.63 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PCEMX vs. HLFMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCEMX

PCEMX Risk / Return Rank: 92
PCEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PCEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PCEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PCEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PCEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

HLFMX

HLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 16
HLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
HLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
HLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
HLFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
HLFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments (PCEMX) and Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund (HLFMX). 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.

	PCEMX	HLFMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.75	1.18	+2.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.53	1.81	+2.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.23	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.65	1.25	+3.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.06	3.51	+14.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCEMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.75, which is higher than the HLFMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCEMX and HLFMX, 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

	PCEMX	HLFMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.75	1.18	+2.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.40	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.33	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.08	+0.20

Drawdowns

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCEMX drawdown since its inception was -65.32%, roughly equal to the maximum HLFMX drawdown of -63.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCEMX and HLFMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCEMX	HLFMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.32%	-63.95%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.42%	-11.09%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.18%	-11.79%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.27%	-28.37%	-7.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.17%	-46.61%	+7.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-6.61%	+6.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.87%	-19.26%	-1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	3.93%	-0.35%

Volatility

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Volatility Comparison

PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments (PCEMX) has a higher volatility of 6.64% compared to Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund (HLFMX) at 3.67%. This indicates that PCEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HLFMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCEMX	HLFMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.64%	3.67%	+2.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.44%	10.19%	+5.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.88%	11.76%	+6.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.46%	10.48%	+6.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.50%	11.91%	+5.59%

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCEMX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is lower than HLFMX's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCEMX vs. HLFMX - Dividend Comparison

PCEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, more than HLFMX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLFMX Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund	3.47%	3.56%	1.88%	1.77%	2.28%	0.83%	1.61%	1.97%	1.34%	1.90%	1.01%	1.13%
PCEMX PACE International Emerging Markets Equity Investments	3.77%	4.91%	1.22%	1.44%	2.52%	11.70%	1.10%	1.04%	1.84%	1.16%	1.09%	1.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCEMX and HLFMX in my portfolio?

PCEMX and HLFMX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCEMX or HLFMX?

PCEMX has higher volatility (6.64%) compared to HLFMX (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCEMX dropped -65.32% vs HLFMX's -63.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.75 vs 1.18), 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.