BATVX vs. DFABX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

BATVX (BlackRock Allocation Target Shares) and DFABX (DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 3 years, BATVX returned 2.47%/yr vs 2.82%/yr for DFABX. At a correlation of -0.03, they often move in opposite directions. BATVX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DFABX.

Performance

BATVX vs. DFABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (BATVX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BATVX achieves a 0.97% return, which is significantly lower than DFABX's 1.08% return.

BATVX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.22%
• 1Y: 2.58%
• 3Y*: 2.47%
• 5Y*: 1.51%
• 10Y*: —

DFABX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.08%
• 6M: 1.20%
• 1Y: 2.76%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BATVX vs. DFABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BATVX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares	0.97%	2.80%	2.48%	1.41%	0.00%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	1.08%	2.46%	2.90%	2.87%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BATVX and DFABX is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 18, 2022	-0.03

Return for Risk

BATVX vs. DFABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFABX

DFABX Risk / Return Rank: 100
DFABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
DFABX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

BATVX vs. DFABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (BATVX) and DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX). 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.

	BATVX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.57	4.89	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	13.05	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	6.68	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	25.92	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	111.81	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BATVX vs. DFABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BATVX Sharpe Ratio is 3.57, which is comparable to the DFABX Sharpe Ratio of 4.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BATVX and DFABX, 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

	BATVX	DFABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.57	4.89	-1.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	2.38	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.38	2.50	-0.12

Drawdowns

BATVX vs. DFABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BATVX drawdown since its inception was -0.20%, smaller than the maximum DFABX drawdown of -2.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BATVX and DFABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BATVX	DFABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-2.46%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	0.00%	-0.11%	+0.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.10%	-0.60%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-0.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.03%	-0.24%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.00%	0.02%	-0.02%

Volatility

BATVX vs. DFABX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (BATVX) is 0.20%, while DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFABX) has a volatility of 0.22%. This indicates that BATVX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BATVX	DFABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.20%	0.22%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.49%	0.43%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73%	0.57%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.64%	0.96%	-0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.63%	0.96%	-0.33%

BATVX vs. DFABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BATVX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than DFABX's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BATVX vs. DFABX - Dividend Comparison

BATVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than DFABX's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
BATVX BlackRock Allocation Target Shares	2.55%	2.76%	2.44%	1.40%	0.00%
DFABX DFA Short-Term Selective State Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.62%	2.33%	2.86%	2.52%	1.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BATVX and DFABX in my portfolio?

BATVX and DFABX have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BATVX or DFABX?

DFABX has higher volatility (0.22%) compared to BATVX (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BATVX dropped -0.20% vs DFABX's -2.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.89 vs 3.57), 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.