XCEM vs. DAADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XCEM (Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF) and DAADX (DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio) are both funds - XCEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, while DAADX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, XCEM returned 26.37%/yr vs 27.34%/yr for DAADX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XCEM charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.43%/yr for DAADX.

Performance

XCEM vs. DAADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX). 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 XCEM having a 38.32% return and DAADX slightly lower at 38.15%.

XCEM

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 12.13%
• YTD: 38.32%
• 6M: 44.13%
• 1Y: 71.14%
• 3Y*: 26.37%
• 5Y*: 11.95%
• 10Y*: 12.99%

DAADX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 11.42%
• YTD: 38.15%
• 6M: 42.63%
• 1Y: 65.14%
• 3Y*: 27.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XCEM vs. DAADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	38.32%	34.05%	0.42%	19.96%	-17.59%	-0.84%
DAADX DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio	38.15%	27.59%	3.44%	24.58%	-15.81%	0.20%

Correlation

The correlation between XCEM and DAADX 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2021	0.89

The correlation between XCEM and DAADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XCEM vs. DAADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

XCEM

XCEM Risk / Return Rank: 90
XCEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
XCEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
XCEM Omega Ratio Rank: 91
XCEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
XCEM Martin Ratio Rank: 89

DAADX

DAADX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DAADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
DAADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
DAADX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
DAADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DAADX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

XCEM vs. DAADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) and DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX). 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.

	XCEM	DAADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	3.78	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.27	4.64	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.72	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.95	5.02	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.98	19.97	+0.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XCEM vs. DAADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCEM Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is comparable to the DAADX Sharpe Ratio of 3.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCEM and DAADX, 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

	XCEM	DAADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.42	3.78	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	1.06	-0.43

Drawdowns

XCEM vs. DAADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCEM drawdown since its inception was -41.24%, which is greater than DAADX's maximum drawdown of -24.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCEM and DAADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCEM	DAADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.24%	-24.98%	-16.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.46%	-13.14%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.92%	-18.78%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.67%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.24%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	0.00%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.59%	-6.75%	-1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	3.29%	+0.28%

Volatility

XCEM vs. DAADX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF (XCEM) has a higher volatility of 9.43% compared to DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio (DAADX) at 7.97%. This indicates that XCEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DAADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XCEM	DAADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.43%	7.97%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.72%	15.52%	+3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	17.47%	+3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	14.58%	+3.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.72%	14.58%	+5.14%

XCEM vs. DAADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCEM has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than DAADX's 0.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCEM vs. DAADX - Dividend Comparison

XCEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than DAADX's 1.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DAADX DFA Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity Portfolio	1.81%	2.28%	2.64%	2.82%	3.02%	0.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XCEM Columbia EM Core ex-China ETF	2.35%	3.25%	2.76%	1.22%	2.42%	1.94%	1.63%	2.11%	2.70%	9.56%	1.24%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XCEM and DAADX in my portfolio?

XCEM and DAADX 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, XCEM or DAADX?

XCEM has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to DAADX (7.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCEM dropped -41.24% vs DAADX's -24.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DAADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.78 vs 3.42), 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.