XCNY vs. DFSE

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

XCNY (SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF) and DFSE (Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. XCNY is passively managed, while DFSE is actively managed. Over the past year, XCNY returned 30.73% vs 31.72% for DFSE. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XCNY charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for DFSE.

Performance

XCNY vs. DFSE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (XCNY) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE). 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 XCNY having a 14.37% return and DFSE slightly lower at 13.87%.

XCNY

• 1D: -4.45%
• 1M: -3.03%
• YTD: 14.37%
• 6M: 17.01%
• 1Y: 30.73%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFSE

• 1D: -5.50%
• 1M: -4.35%
• YTD: 13.87%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 31.72%
• 3Y*: 18.31%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XCNY vs. DFSE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
XCNY SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF	14.37%	20.42%	-3.51%
DFSE Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF	13.87%	28.22%	0.07%

Correlation

The correlation between XCNY and DFSE is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 6, 2024	0.82

The correlation between XCNY and DFSE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

XCNY vs. DFSE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XCNY	DFSE
Technology	36.1%	31.2%
Financial Services	21.7%	13.9%
Basic Materials	8.7%	6.2%
Industrials	7.7%	12.5%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	10.6%
Energy	4.9%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.9%
Communication Services	3.5%	5.8%
Utilities	3.3%	1.8%
Healthcare	2.7%	4.7%
Real Estate	2.3%	2.2%

Return for Risk

XCNY vs. DFSE — Risk / Return Rank

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

XCNY

XCNY Risk / Return Rank: 57
XCNY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
XCNY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
XCNY Omega Ratio Rank: 59
XCNY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
XCNY Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DFSE

DFSE Risk / Return Rank: 52
DFSE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
DFSE Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
DFSE Omega Ratio Rank: 54
DFSE Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
DFSE Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

XCNY vs. DFSE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (XCNY) and Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE). 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.

	XCNY	DFSE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.64	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.20	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.31	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.60	2.48	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.94	9.14	+0.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XCNY vs. DFSE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCNY Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the DFSE Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCNY and DFSE, 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

	XCNY	DFSE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	1.64	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	1.20	-0.21

Drawdowns

XCNY vs. DFSE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCNY drawdown since its inception was -19.70%, roughly equal to the maximum DFSE drawdown of -19.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCNY and DFSE.

Drawdown Indicators

	XCNY	DFSE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.70%	-19.77%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.86%	-12.88%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.77%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.49%	-7.46%	+1.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.14%	-4.00%	-0.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	3.48%	-0.38%

Volatility

XCNY vs. DFSE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF (XCNY) is 7.62%, while Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (DFSE) has a volatility of 9.41%. This indicates that XCNY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFSE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XCNY	DFSE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.62%	9.41%	-1.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.21%	17.16%	-1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.22%	19.49%	-2.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.04%	17.86%	+0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.04%	17.86%	+0.18%

XCNY vs. DFSE - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCNY has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DFSE's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCNY vs. DFSE - Dividend Comparison

XCNY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, more than DFSE's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFSE Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF	1.95%	2.26%	2.06%	2.06%	0.36%
XCNY SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF	2.35%	2.68%	1.07%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XCNY and DFSE in my portfolio?

XCNY and DFSE have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XCNY or DFSE?

DFSE has higher volatility (9.41%) compared to XCNY (7.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XCNY dropped -19.70% vs DFSE's -19.77%.

Which ETF is better, XCNY or DFSE?

On 1-year performance, DFSE leads with 31.72% vs 30.73% for XCNY. On fees, XCNY is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, XCNY has been the lower-risk option at 7.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XCNY or DFSE?

Over the 1-year period, DFSE has performed better with a 31.72% return vs 30.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XCNY or DFSE?

XCNY is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DFSE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XCNY or DFSE?

XCNY has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.95% for DFSE.

What is the main difference between XCNY and DFSE?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for XCNY and 0.41% for DFSE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XCNY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.79 vs 1.64), 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.