PRMSX vs. BKF

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRMSX (T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund) and BKF (iShares MSCI BRIC ETF) are both funds - PRMSX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while BKF is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI BRIC Index. Over the past 10 years, PRMSX returned 8.27%/yr vs 5.23%/yr for BKF. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRMSX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BKF.

Performance

PRMSX vs. BKF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) and iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRMSX achieves a 30.76% return, which is significantly higher than BKF's -6.31% return. Over the past 10 years, PRMSX has outperformed BKF with an annualized return of 8.27%, while BKF has yielded a comparatively lower 5.23% annualized return.

PRMSX

• 1D: 2.56%
• 1M: 12.24%
• YTD: 30.76%
• 6M: 34.53%
• 1Y: 63.06%
• 3Y*: 19.08%
• 5Y*: 2.65%
• 10Y*: 8.27%

BKF

• 1D: 1.95%
• 1M: -2.97%
• YTD: -6.31%
• 6M: -7.27%
• 1Y: 4.01%
• 3Y*: 8.64%
• 5Y*: -3.53%
• 10Y*: 5.23%

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

PRMSX vs. BKF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRMSX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund	30.76%	32.46%	-1.72%	2.08%	-23.35%	-10.47%	17.63%	26.51%	-16.20%	42.27%
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF	-6.31%	22.30%	9.24%	1.27%	-21.78%	-11.87%	16.52%	22.93%	-13.80%	41.80%

Correlation

The correlation between PRMSX and BKF is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2007	0.88

The correlation between PRMSX and BKF shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRMSX vs. BKF — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRMSX

PRMSX Risk / Return Rank: 91
PRMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
PRMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PRMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
PRMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
PRMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

BKF

BKF Risk / Return Rank: 12
BKF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
BKF Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
BKF Omega Ratio Rank: 12
BKF Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
BKF 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.

PRMSX vs. BKF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) and iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF). 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.

	PRMSX	BKF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.40	0.26	+3.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.18	0.49	+3.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.06	+0.57
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.59	0.32	+4.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.68	0.84	+17.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRMSX vs. BKF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRMSX Sharpe Ratio is 3.40, which is higher than the BKF Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRMSX and BKF, 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

	PRMSX	BKF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.40	0.26	+3.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	-0.16	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.24	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.01	+0.36

Drawdowns

PRMSX vs. BKF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRMSX drawdown since its inception was -71.13%, roughly equal to the maximum BKF drawdown of -70.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRMSX and BKF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRMSX	BKF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.13%	-70.29%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-13.43%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.47%	-18.60%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.13%	-44.94%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.28%	-49.20%	+2.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-24.12%	+24.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.12%	-28.11%	+6.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	5.05%	-1.72%

Volatility

PRMSX vs. BKF - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund (PRMSX) has a higher volatility of 8.18% compared to iShares MSCI BRIC ETF (BKF) at 5.25%. This indicates that PRMSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BKF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRMSX	BKF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.18%	5.25%	+2.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.30%	12.28%	+4.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.98%	15.43%	+3.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.89%	21.52%	-3.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	21.77%	-3.20%

PRMSX vs. BKF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRMSX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than BKF's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRMSX vs. BKF - Dividend Comparison

PRMSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, less than BKF's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BKF iShares MSCI BRIC ETF	1.91%	1.79%	2.37%	1.68%	2.04%	2.93%	1.02%	1.66%	2.33%	1.51%	1.82%	3.15%
PRMSX T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Stock Fund	0.43%	0.57%	0.35%	1.09%	1.17%	8.26%	0.49%	1.24%	0.61%	0.18%	0.69%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRMSX and BKF in my portfolio?

PRMSX and BKF have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRMSX or BKF?

PRMSX has higher volatility (8.18%) compared to BKF (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRMSX dropped -71.13% vs BKF's -70.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.40 vs 0.26), 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.