PDEZX vs. WAESX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PDEZX (PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund) and WAESX (Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, PDEZX returned 12.15%/yr vs 8.28%/yr for WAESX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PDEZX charges 1.05%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for WAESX.

Performance

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PDEZX achieves a 34.32% return, which is significantly higher than WAESX's 6.04% return. Over the past 10 years, PDEZX has outperformed WAESX with an annualized return of 12.15%, while WAESX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.28% annualized return.

PDEZX

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 4.26%
• YTD: 34.32%
• 6M: 35.36%
• 1Y: 49.85%
• 3Y*: 27.86%
• 5Y*: 2.68%
• 10Y*: 12.15%

WAESX

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -0.41%
• YTD: 6.04%
• 6M: 6.62%
• 1Y: 11.10%
• 3Y*: 8.16%
• 5Y*: -0.96%
• 10Y*: 8.28%

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

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	34.32%	14.88%	18.48%	16.12%	-41.65%	-0.86%	72.88%	30.33%	-18.26%	40.80%
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	6.04%	10.56%	-0.12%	17.52%	-37.38%	21.34%	48.36%	28.05%	-11.50%	37.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PDEZX and WAESX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2014	0.82

The correlation between PDEZX and WAESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PDEZX vs. WAESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDEZX

PDEZX Risk / Return Rank: 58
PDEZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
PDEZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
PDEZX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
PDEZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
PDEZX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

WAESX

WAESX Risk / Return Rank: 9
WAESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
WAESX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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. WAESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX). 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.

	PDEZX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	0.63	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.02	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.12	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	0.96	+2.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.51	3.17	+9.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDEZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the WAESX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDEZX and WAESX, 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

	PDEZX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	0.63	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	-0.05	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.42	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.27	+0.14

Drawdowns

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDEZX drawdown since its inception was -54.95%, which is greater than WAESX's maximum drawdown of -45.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDEZX and WAESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDEZX	WAESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.95%	-45.85%	-9.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.94%	-11.18%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.92%	-21.75%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-52.88%	-45.85%	-7.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.95%	-45.85%	-9.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-19.21%	+18.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.23%	-16.61%	-3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	3.39%	+0.65%

Volatility

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund (PDEZX) has a higher volatility of 9.45% compared to Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX) at 5.50%. This indicates that PDEZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WAESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PDEZX	WAESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.45%	5.50%	+3.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.85%	14.07%	+5.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.62%	17.08%	+6.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.56%	20.07%	+3.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.25%	19.73%	+2.52%

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDEZX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is lower than WAESX's 1.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDEZX vs. WAESX - Dividend Comparison

PDEZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, while WAESX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PDEZX PGIM Jennison Emerging Markets Equity Opportunities Fund	1.64%	2.21%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDEZX and WAESX in my portfolio?

PDEZX and WAESX have a correlation of 0.78, 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 WAESX?

PDEZX has higher volatility (9.45%) compared to WAESX (5.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDEZX dropped -54.95% vs WAESX's -45.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDEZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.63), 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.