WAIGX vs. WAESX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WAIGX (Wasatch International Growth Fund) and WAESX (Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund) are both mutual funds - WAIGX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Wasatch, while WAESX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Wasatch. Over the past 10 years, WAIGX returned 4.67%/yr vs 8.28%/yr for WAESX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WAIGX charges 1.44%/yr vs 1.32%/yr for WAESX.

Performance

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WAIGX achieves a 10.24% return, which is significantly higher than WAESX's 6.04% return. Over the past 10 years, WAIGX has underperformed WAESX with an annualized return of 4.67%, while WAESX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.28% annualized return.

WAIGX

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 6.21%
• YTD: 10.24%
• 6M: 11.93%
• 1Y: 6.59%
• 3Y*: 8.60%
• 5Y*: -1.33%
• 10Y*: 4.67%

WAESX

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: -0.41%
• YTD: 6.04%
• 6M: 6.62%
• 1Y: 11.10%
• 3Y*: 8.16%
• 5Y*: -0.96%
• 10Y*: 8.28%

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

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WAIGX Wasatch International Growth Fund	10.24%	11.89%	-0.62%	11.64%	-36.64%	10.86%	24.65%	29.43%	-15.86%	33.04%
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	6.04%	10.56%	-0.12%	17.52%	-37.38%	21.34%	48.36%	28.05%	-11.50%	37.66%

Correlation

The correlation between WAIGX and WAESX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.73

The correlation between WAIGX and WAESX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WAIGX vs. WAESX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WAIGX

WAIGX Risk / Return Rank: 5
WAIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
WAIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
WAIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
WAIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
WAIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

WAESX

WAESX Risk / Return Rank: 9
WAESX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
WAESX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
WAESX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wasatch International Growth Fund (WAIGX) and Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX). 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.

	WAIGX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.40	0.63	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.69	1.02	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.12	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.33	0.96	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.82	3.17	-2.35
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WAIGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.40, which is lower than the WAESX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WAIGX and WAESX, 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

	WAIGX	WAESX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40	0.63	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	-0.05	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.42	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.27	+0.20

Drawdowns

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WAIGX drawdown since its inception was -67.66%, which is greater than WAESX's maximum drawdown of -45.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WAIGX and WAESX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WAIGX	WAESX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.66%	-45.85%	-21.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.68%	-11.18%	-6.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.49%	-21.75%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.06%	-45.85%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.06%	-45.85%	-2.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.97%	-19.21%	+0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.32%	-16.61%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.18%	3.39%	+3.79%

Volatility

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Wasatch International Growth Fund (WAIGX) is 4.25%, while Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund (WAESX) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that WAIGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WAESX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WAIGX	WAESX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.25%	5.50%	-1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.24%	14.07%	-1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	17.08%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.82%	20.07%	-1.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.22%	19.73%	-1.51%

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WAIGX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than WAESX's 1.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

WAIGX vs. WAESX - Dividend Comparison

WAIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 48.78%, while WAESX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
WAESX Wasatch Emerging Markets Select Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
WAIGX Wasatch International Growth Fund	48.78%	53.78%	20.59%	0.00%	0.00%	10.13%	10.93%	2.50%	17.84%	2.71%	4.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WAIGX and WAESX in my portfolio?

WAIGX and WAESX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WAIGX or WAESX?

WAESX has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to WAIGX (4.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WAIGX dropped -67.66% vs WAESX's -45.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WAESX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.40), 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.