PDEZX vs. VEMAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PDEZX (PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund) and VEMAX (Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - PDEZX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by PGIM, while VEMAX is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. Over the past 10 years, PDEZX returned 12.41%/yr vs 8.92%/yr for VEMAX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDEZX charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VEMAX.

Performance

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDEZX achieves a 36.35% return, which is significantly higher than VEMAX's 13.14% return. Over the past 10 years, PDEZX has outperformed VEMAX with an annualized return of 12.41%, while VEMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.92% annualized return.

PDEZX

• 1D: 4.60%
• 1M: 6.60%
• YTD: 36.35%
• 6M: 38.25%
• 1Y: 50.87%
• 3Y*: 26.54%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 12.41%

VEMAX

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 3.21%
• YTD: 13.14%
• 6M: 13.80%
• 1Y: 30.92%
• 3Y*: 16.73%
• 5Y*: 5.79%
• 10Y*: 8.92%

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

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	36.35%	14.88%	18.48%	16.12%	-41.65%	-0.86%	72.88%	30.33%	-18.26%	40.80%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.14%	24.76%	11.34%	8.82%	-17.79%	0.85%	15.24%	20.29%	-14.59%	31.37%

Correlation

The correlation between PDEZX and VEMAX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
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 Sep 17, 2014	0.85

The correlation between PDEZX and VEMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDEZX vs. VEMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDEZX

PDEZX Risk / Return Rank: 56
PDEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
PDEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PDEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
PDEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
PDEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VEMAX

VEMAX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VEMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VEMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VEMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VEMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) and Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX). 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.

	PDEZX	VEMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.98	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.72	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.36	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.52	2.70	+0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.46	9.85	+1.61

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDEZX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the VEMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDEZX and VEMAX, 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

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDEZX drawdown since its inception was -54.95%, smaller than the maximum VEMAX drawdown of -66.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDEZX and VEMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDEZX	VEMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.95%	-66.45%	+11.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.94%	-11.05%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.92%	-15.78%	-6.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.88%	-32.46%	-20.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.95%	-36.11%	-18.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.73%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.16%	-16.09%	-4.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	3.03%	+1.24%

Volatility

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) has a higher volatility of 12.64% compared to Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEMAX) at 6.10%. This indicates that PDEZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDEZX	VEMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.64%	6.10%	+6.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.93%	12.85%	+10.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.04%	15.10%	+10.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.07%	15.52%	+8.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.52%	16.50%	+6.02%

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDEZX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VEMAX's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDEZX vs. VEMAX - Dividend Comparison

PDEZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than VEMAX's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	1.62%	2.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VEMAX Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.24%	2.74%	3.13%	3.47%	4.05%	2.57%	1.87%	3.20%	2.85%	2.31%	2.51%	3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDEZX and VEMAX in my portfolio?

PDEZX and VEMAX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDEZX or VEMAX?

PDEZX has higher volatility (12.64%) compared to VEMAX (6.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDEZX dropped -54.95% vs VEMAX's -66.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.88), 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.