SPEM vs. DFGEX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SPEM (SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF) and DFGEX (DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio) are both funds - SPEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the S&P Emerging Markets BMI, while DFGEX is a REIT fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, SPEM returned 9.63%/yr vs 4.11%/yr for DFGEX. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPEM charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for DFGEX.

Performance

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX). 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 SPEM having a 11.32% return and DFGEX slightly lower at 10.89%. Over the past 10 years, SPEM has outperformed DFGEX with an annualized return of 9.63%, while DFGEX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.11% annualized return.

SPEM

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 11.32%
• 6M: 13.11%
• 1Y: 27.73%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 5.60%
• 10Y*: 9.63%

DFGEX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 10.89%
• 6M: 11.70%
• 1Y: 13.17%
• 3Y*: 10.06%
• 5Y*: 2.03%
• 10Y*: 4.11%

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

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	11.32%	25.63%	11.40%	10.51%	-17.90%	1.51%	14.55%	19.69%	-13.26%	34.82%
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	10.89%	7.92%	1.92%	9.54%	-23.84%	31.03%	-6.71%	26.32%	-4.12%	5.95%

Correlation

The correlation between SPEM and DFGEX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.50

The correlation between SPEM and DFGEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.50 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SPEM vs. DFGEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPEM

SPEM Risk / Return Rank: 52
SPEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
SPEM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SPEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
SPEM Martin Ratio Rank: 54

DFGEX

DFGEX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DFGEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DFGEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFGEX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
DFGEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
DFGEX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) and DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX). 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.

	SPEM	DFGEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.08	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	1.54	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.19	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	1.42	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	4.97	+3.20

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is higher than the DFGEX Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPEM and DFGEX, 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

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPEM drawdown since its inception was -64.41%, which is greater than DFGEX's maximum drawdown of -42.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPEM and DFGEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPEM	DFGEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.41%	-42.67%	-21.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.36%	-9.04%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.62%	-17.37%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.75%	-32.78%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.06%	-42.67%	+6.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.40%	0.00%	-2.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.73%	-9.63%	-5.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	2.58%	+0.59%

Volatility

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF (SPEM) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) at 3.97%. This indicates that SPEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPEM	DFGEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	3.97%	+2.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.21%	8.87%	+5.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.67%	11.92%	+4.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.26%	16.29%	+0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.83%	17.72%	+1.11%

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPEM has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than DFGEX's 0.14% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SPEM vs. DFGEX - Dividend Comparison

SPEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than DFGEX's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	3.67%	4.07%	3.78%	3.36%	5.70%	4.50%	2.29%	6.95%	5.09%	0.64%	0.32%	2.45%
SPEM SPDR Portfolio Emerging Markets ETF	2.49%	2.77%	2.78%	2.80%	3.38%	3.14%	1.92%	2.94%	2.34%	1.12%	1.51%	2.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPEM and DFGEX in my portfolio?

SPEM and DFGEX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPEM or DFGEX?

SPEM has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to DFGEX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPEM dropped -64.41% vs DFGEX's -42.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.55 vs 1.08), 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.