BDVL vs. DFAI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI).

BDVL and DFAI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BDVL is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI ACWI Minimum Volatility Index. It was launched on Sep 12, 2025. DFAI is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Nov 17, 2020.

Performance

BDVL vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BDVL vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	-0.63%	1.97%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.50%	5.37%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BDVL achieves a -0.63% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 2.50% return.

BDVL

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: -5.45%
• YTD: -0.63%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: -7.52%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 28.07%
• 3Y*: 16.13%
• 5Y*: 9.44%
• 10Y*: —

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

BDVL vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BDVL has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

BDVL

iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF

DFAI

Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF

Return for Risk

BDVL vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 87
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 88
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

BDVL vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BDVL	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.73	-0.46

Correlation

The correlation between BDVL and DFAI is 0.82, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

BDVL vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

BDVL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.81%, more than DFAI's 2.41% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BDVL iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF	2.81%	2.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.41%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%

Drawdowns

BDVL vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BDVL drawdown since its inception was -7.71%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BDVL and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BDVL	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.71%	-27.44%	+19.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-10.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.45%	-7.61%	+2.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.17%	-5.21%	+4.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.76%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	BDVL	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	7.35%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	10.56%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.29%	16.70%	-7.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.29%	15.81%	-6.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.29%	15.66%	-6.37%