SEMGX vs. LVAZX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SEMGX (DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and LVAZX (LSV Emerging Markets Equity Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, SEMGX returned 6.60%/yr vs 16.39%/yr for LVAZX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEMGX charges 0.98%/yr vs 1.45%/yr for LVAZX.

Performance

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with SEMGX having a 37.85% return and LVAZX slightly lower at 36.39%.

SEMGX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 9.11%
• YTD: 37.85%
• 6M: 39.56%
• 1Y: 63.78%
• 3Y*: 25.90%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 10.23%

LVAZX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 8.41%
• YTD: 36.39%
• 6M: 38.67%
• 1Y: 65.29%
• 3Y*: 31.71%
• 5Y*: 16.39%
• 10Y*: —

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

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SEMGX DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund	37.85%	28.85%	7.48%	6.32%	-21.66%	-11.60%	18.65%	13.79%
LVAZX LSV Emerging Markets Equity Fund	36.39%	39.90%	7.26%	21.26%	-13.03%	13.77%	5.03%	5.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMGX and LVAZX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2019	0.83

The correlation between SEMGX and LVAZX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SEMGX vs. LVAZX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMGX

SEMGX Risk / Return Rank: 86
SEMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SEMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
SEMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SEMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SEMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

LVAZX

LVAZX Risk / Return Rank: 96
LVAZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
LVAZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
LVAZX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
LVAZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
LVAZX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	SEMGX	LVAZX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	3.76	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	4.54	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.72	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.99	5.80	-1.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.49	21.48	-5.99

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the LVAZX Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMGX and LVAZX, 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

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMGX drawdown since its inception was -67.21%, which is greater than LVAZX's maximum drawdown of -37.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMGX and LVAZX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMGX	LVAZX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.21%	-37.87%	-29.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.11%	-11.44%	-4.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.37%	-15.02%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-40.94%	-27.07%	-13.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.82%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.09%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.21%	-6.76%	-18.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.13%	3.08%	+1.05%

Volatility

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Volatility Comparison

DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SEMGX) has a higher volatility of 11.15% compared to LSV Emerging Markets Equity Fund (LVAZX) at 9.42%. This indicates that SEMGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LVAZX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEMGX	LVAZX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.15%	9.42%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.69%	15.74%	+3.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.41%	17.67%	+4.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.23%	14.80%	+4.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	16.14%	+2.43%

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEMGX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is lower than LVAZX's 1.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEMGX vs. LVAZX - Dividend Comparison

SEMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than LVAZX's 3.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LVAZX LSV Emerging Markets Equity Fund	3.75%	5.12%	1.39%	4.58%	3.14%	8.50%	2.54%	2.99%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SEMGX DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund	2.18%	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 SEMGX and LVAZX in my portfolio?

SEMGX and LVAZX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEMGX or LVAZX?

SEMGX has higher volatility (11.15%) compared to LVAZX (9.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEMGX dropped -67.21% vs LVAZX's -37.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

LVAZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 2.87), 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.