UAE vs. DBEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

UAE (iShares MSCI UAE ETF) and DBEM (Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - UAE tracks the MSCI All UAE Capped Index while DBEM tracks the MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UAE returned 5.49%/yr vs 10.50%/yr for DBEM. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UAE charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for DBEM.

Performance

UAE vs. DBEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UAE achieves a -1.41% return, which is significantly lower than DBEM's 30.19% return. Over the past 10 years, UAE has underperformed DBEM with an annualized return of 5.49%, while DBEM has yielded a comparatively higher 10.50% annualized return.

UAE

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: -1.62%
• YTD: -1.41%
• 6M: -0.08%
• 1Y: 5.92%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 5.49%

DBEM

• 1D: -1.50%
• 1M: 6.99%
• YTD: 30.19%
• 6M: 33.08%
• 1Y: 59.68%
• 3Y*: 25.33%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 10.50%

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

UAE vs. DBEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF	-1.41%	21.35%	15.25%	2.91%	-5.36%	44.16%	-7.23%	1.59%	-14.42%	4.99%
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	30.19%	30.42%	10.61%	10.53%	-17.00%	-2.26%	18.12%	16.77%	-10.81%	27.10%

Correlation

The correlation between UAE and DBEM is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2014	0.37

UAE vs. DBEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UAE	DBEM
Financial Services	38.0%	19.6%
Real Estate	20.5%	1.1%
Industrials	11.4%	7.6%
Communication Services	9.6%	7.0%
Energy	8.3%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	9.6%
Utilities	4.3%	2.1%
Consumer Defensive	1.7%	3.0%
Technology	1.0%	36.4%
Basic Materials	0.1%	6.6%
Healthcare	-	2.9%

Return for Risk

UAE vs. DBEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

UAE

UAE Risk / Return Rank: 13
UAE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
UAE Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
UAE Omega Ratio Rank: 14
UAE Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
UAE Martin Ratio Rank: 13

DBEM

DBEM Risk / Return Rank: 92
DBEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DBEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DBEM Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DBEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
DBEM Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

UAE vs. DBEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) and Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM). 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.

	UAE	DBEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.27	3.33	-3.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	4.34	-3.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.60	-0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.28	5.71	-5.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.70	22.69	-21.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UAE vs. DBEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UAE Sharpe Ratio is 0.27, which is lower than the DBEM Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UAE and DBEM, 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

	UAE	DBEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27	3.33	-3.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.55	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.61	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.33	-0.27

Drawdowns

UAE vs. DBEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UAE drawdown since its inception was -60.49%, which is greater than DBEM's maximum drawdown of -33.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UAE and DBEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	UAE	DBEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.49%	-33.51%	-26.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.50%	-10.51%	-10.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.50%	-15.12%	-6.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.47%	-30.48%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.71%	-33.51%	-16.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.20%	-2.18%	-13.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.91%	-11.69%	-12.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.42%	2.64%	+5.78%

Volatility

UAE vs. DBEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI UAE ETF (UAE) is 6.59%, while Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM) has a volatility of 7.65%. This indicates that UAE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DBEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UAE	DBEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.59%	7.65%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.10%	15.63%	+3.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.03%	18.04%	+3.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.78%	17.09%	+1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.54%	17.14%	+2.40%

UAE vs. DBEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

UAE has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than DBEM's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

UAE vs. DBEM - Dividend Comparison

UAE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.16%, more than DBEM's 1.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBEM Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF	1.42%	1.84%	2.48%	2.55%	2.65%	1.77%	1.74%	2.59%	2.85%	1.51%	1.59%	3.49%
UAE iShares MSCI UAE ETF	4.16%	4.10%	3.32%	3.25%	2.67%	4.88%	4.75%	3.54%	5.56%	3.38%	4.74%	3.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UAE and DBEM in my portfolio?

UAE and DBEM have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UAE or DBEM?

DBEM has higher volatility (7.65%) compared to UAE (6.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UAE dropped -60.49% vs DBEM's -33.51%.

Which ETF is better, UAE or DBEM?

On 10-year performance, DBEM leads with 10.50% vs 5.49% for UAE. On fees, UAE is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, UAE has been the lower-risk option at 6.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UAE or DBEM?

Over the 10-year period, DBEM has performed better with a 10.50% return vs 5.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UAE or DBEM?

UAE is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for DBEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, UAE or DBEM?

UAE has the higher dividend yield at 4.16%, compared with 1.42% for DBEM.

What is the main difference between UAE and DBEM?

UAE tracks MSCI All UAE Capped Index, while DBEM tracks MSCI EM US Dollar Hedged Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for UAE and 0.66% for DBEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DBEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 0.27), 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.