DBEM vs EEM
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF vs iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
Which is better, DBEM or EEM?
DBEM has been ahead.
DBEM has a lower expense ratio. DBEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DBEM is less concentrated, with 38.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DBEM | EEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66%Best | 0.72% |
| AUM | $108M | $30.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% | 1.67% |
| Holdings | 2,304 | 1,224 |
| YTD Return | +16.22%Best | +15.09% |
| 1Y Return | +25.31%Best | +23.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.07%Best | +21.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.80%Best | +7.13% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.6% | 18.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.7%Best | -68.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,246Best | $14,111 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.4%Best | 39.4% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 9, 2011 | Apr 7, 2003 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 9, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.3 years).
DBEM vs EEM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 15.3 years both funds cover.
DBEM vs EEM Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Hedged Equity ETF (DBEM) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year DBEM returned +25.31% while EEM returned +23.94%. Year to date, DBEM is up 16.22% versus a gain of 15.09% for EEM.
Over three years, DBEM compounded at +22.07% per year against +21.98% for EEM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.80% and +7.13% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, DBEM has the edge at +3.47% annualized vs +2.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DBEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% compared with 18.0% for EEM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -51.7% for DBEM and -68.8% for EEM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBEM charges 0.66% per year while EEM charges 0.72%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $72 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBEM currently yields 2.14% against 1.67% for EEM.
Holdings Overlap
71.3% of DBEM's money is in holdings EEM also owns. 71.9% of EEM's money is in holdings DBEM also owns.
Most of EEM is already inside DBEM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
790 positions in common, counted across the 1,136 positions we hold weights for in DBEM and 1,162 in EEM, against full books of 2,304 and 1,224.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DBEM | Weight in EEM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 15.83% | 15.69% | 0.14% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 5.62% | 6.03% | 0.41% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 1.74% | 1.84% | 0.10% |
| 2454:TWMediatek Inc Common Stock TWD10.0 | 1.74% | 1.82% | 0.08% |
| 005935:KRSamsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (preference Shares) | 0.94% | 0.98% | 0.04% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 0.96% | 0.94% | 0.02% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | 0.77% | 0.79% | 0.02% |
| 402340:KRSK Square Co. Ltd. | 0.62% | 0.64% | 0.02% |
| 3711:TWAse Technology Holding Co Lt | 0.61% | 0.60% | 0.01% |
| ICICIBANK:MBIcici Bank Ltd | 0.60% | 0.58% | 0.02% |
71.9% of EEM is already inside DBEM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DBEM or EEM?
DBEM has an expense ratio of 0.66% while EEM charges 0.72%. DBEM is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBEM or EEM?
Over the past year DBEM returned +25.31% vs +23.94% for EEM, so DBEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), DBEM annualized +3.47% vs +2.82% for EEM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBEM or EEM?
DBEM has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 18.0% for EEM. Worst drawdown: DBEM -51.7% vs EEM -68.8%.
Should I hold both DBEM and EEM?
DBEM and EEM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DBEM and EEM?
71.9% of EEM's money is in holdings DBEM also owns. 71.9% of EEM's is in holdings DBEM also owns. They hold 790 positions in common, counted across the 1,136 positions we hold weights for in DBEM and 1,162 in EEM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBEM or EEM?
DBEM yields 2.14% while EEM yields 1.67%, so DBEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is EEM better than DBEM?
DBEM has a lower expense ratio. DBEM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DBEM is less concentrated, with 38.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.