PGEIX vs. HLFMX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PGEIX (Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund) and HLFMX (Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past year, PGEIX returned 10.91% vs 12.59% for HLFMX. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PGEIX charges 1.25%/yr vs 1.60%/yr for HLFMX.

Performance

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) 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, PGEIX achieves a 3.01% return, which is significantly higher than HLFMX's 2.35% return.

PGEIX

• 1D: -0.96%
• 1M: -22.61%
• YTD: 3.01%
• 6M: 5.44%
• 1Y: 10.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HLFMX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -1.72%
• YTD: 2.35%
• 6M: 3.48%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 11.78%
• 5Y*: 4.05%
• 10Y*: 3.80%

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

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PGEIX Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund	3.01%	16.07%
HLFMX Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund	2.35%	15.49%

Correlation

The correlation between PGEIX and HLFMX is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2025	0.44

Return for Risk

PGEIX vs. HLFMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGEIX

PGEIX Risk / Return Rank: 6
PGEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
PGEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
PGEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PGEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
PGEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

HLFMX

HLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 15
HLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
HLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
HLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
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.

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) 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.

	PGEIX	HLFMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.34	1.08	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	1.67	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.21	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.39	1.14	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.46	3.17	-1.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGEIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.34, which is lower than the HLFMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGEIX 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

	PGEIX	HLFMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34	1.08	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.32	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.08	+0.54

Drawdowns

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGEIX drawdown since its inception was -29.87%, smaller than the maximum HLFMX drawdown of -63.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGEIX and HLFMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGEIX	HLFMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.87%	-63.95%	+34.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.87%	-11.09%	-18.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.79%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.13%	-7.02%	-16.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.17%	-19.25%	+15.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.98%	—

Volatility

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Volatility Comparison

Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund (PGEIX) has a higher volatility of 26.89% compared to Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund (HLFMX) at 3.71%. This indicates that PGEIX'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

	PGEIX	HLFMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	26.89%	3.71%	+23.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.23%	10.19%	+22.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.11%	11.70%	+22.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.93%	10.48%	+22.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.93%	11.91%	+21.02%

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGEIX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is lower than HLFMX's 1.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGEIX vs. HLFMX - Dividend Comparison

PGEIX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLFMX Harding Loevner Frontier Emerging Markets Fund	3.48%	3.56%	1.88%	1.77%	2.28%	0.83%	1.61%	1.97%	1.34%	1.90%	1.01%	1.13%
PGEIX Polen Global Emerging Markets Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGEIX and HLFMX in my portfolio?

PGEIX and HLFMX have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGEIX or HLFMX?

PGEIX has higher volatility (26.89%) compared to HLFMX (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGEIX dropped -29.87% vs HLFMX's -63.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HLFMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.34), 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.