SCOBX vs. SEMGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCOBX (DWS International Growth Fund) and SEMGX (DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - SCOBX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by DWS, while SEMGX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by DWS. Over the past 10 years, SCOBX returned 7.63%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for SEMGX. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCOBX charges 0.92%/yr vs 0.98%/yr for SEMGX.

Performance

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS International Growth Fund (SCOBX) and DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SEMGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCOBX achieves a 8.60% return, which is significantly lower than SEMGX's 33.80% return. Over the past 10 years, SCOBX has underperformed SEMGX with an annualized return of 7.63%, while SEMGX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.78% annualized return.

SCOBX

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 6.25%
• YTD: 8.60%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 15.82%
• 3Y*: 13.87%
• 5Y*: 3.70%
• 10Y*: 7.63%

SEMGX

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 10.48%
• YTD: 33.80%
• 6M: 37.41%
• 1Y: 59.84%
• 3Y*: 24.98%
• 5Y*: 5.61%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

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

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCOBX DWS International Growth Fund	8.60%	19.45%	9.37%	15.76%	-29.24%	8.23%	22.49%	31.61%	-16.88%	25.45%
SEMGX DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund	33.80%	28.85%	7.48%	6.32%	-21.66%	-11.60%	18.65%	19.23%	-12.25%	37.71%

Correlation

The correlation between SCOBX and SEMGX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1997	0.77

The correlation between SCOBX and SEMGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCOBX vs. SEMGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCOBX

SCOBX Risk / Return Rank: 15
SCOBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
SCOBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
SCOBX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
SCOBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
SCOBX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

SEMGX

SEMGX Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SEMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SEMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
SEMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SEMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS International Growth Fund (SCOBX) and DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SEMGX). 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.

	SCOBX	SEMGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	3.05	-2.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	3.85	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.55	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	3.80	-2.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.61	15.35	-10.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCOBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the SEMGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCOBX and SEMGX, 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

	SCOBX	SEMGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	3.05	-2.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.30	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.54	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.28	+0.16

Drawdowns

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCOBX drawdown since its inception was -62.65%, smaller than the maximum SEMGX drawdown of -67.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCOBX and SEMGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCOBX	SEMGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.65%	-67.21%	+4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.41%	-16.11%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.86%	-18.37%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.92%	-41.42%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.92%	-45.82%	+4.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.53%	-25.25%	+13.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	3.97%	-0.55%

Volatility

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DWS International Growth Fund (SCOBX) is 5.41%, while DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SEMGX) has a volatility of 8.31%. This indicates that SCOBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SEMGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCOBX	SEMGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.41%	8.31%	-2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.37%	16.81%	-4.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.14%	20.04%	-4.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.06%	18.68%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.52%	18.32%	-0.80%

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCOBX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is lower than SEMGX's 0.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCOBX vs. SEMGX - Dividend Comparison

SCOBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, more than SEMGX's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SCOBX DWS International Growth Fund	4.33%	4.70%	3.37%	1.57%	3.78%	3.70%	0.81%	1.01%	1.29%	0.46%	0.14%	0.00%
SEMGX DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.24%	3.00%	0.15%	2.16%	2.16%	1.71%	1.23%	1.94%	0.71%	0.62%	0.54%	0.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCOBX and SEMGX in my portfolio?

SCOBX and SEMGX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCOBX or SEMGX?

SEMGX has higher volatility (8.31%) compared to SCOBX (5.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCOBX dropped -62.65% vs SEMGX's -67.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEMGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 1.05), 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.