BLES vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BLES (Inspire Global Hope ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLES is a Global Equities fund tracking the Inspire Global Hope Large Cap Equal Weight Index, while DFAI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. BLES is passively managed, while DFAI is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, BLES returned 7.19%/yr vs 9.35%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BLES charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

BLES vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BLES achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 7.50% return.

BLES

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 6M: 9.21%
• 1Y: 20.14%
• 3Y*: 15.36%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: -2.83%
• 1M: -1.64%
• YTD: 7.50%
• 6M: 6.97%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: 17.77%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: —

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

BLES vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BLES Inspire Global Hope ETF	9.82%	19.25%	5.59%	16.47%	-16.21%	24.36%	5.93%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	7.50%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	5.34%

Correlation

The correlation between BLES and DFAI is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2020	0.90

The correlation between BLES and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

BLES vs. DFAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BLES	DFAI
Industrials	20.3%	17.2%
Technology	17.6%	7.8%
Financial Services	13.0%	26.9%
Basic Materials	9.8%	10.8%
Real Estate	7.6%	1.5%
Healthcare	7.0%	11.4%
Utilities	7.0%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	5.8%
Energy	6.0%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	5.3%
Communication Services	1.0%	4.3%

Return for Risk

BLES vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

BLES

BLES Risk / Return Rank: 50
BLES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
BLES Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
BLES Omega Ratio Rank: 45
BLES Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
BLES Martin Ratio Rank: 56

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 47
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 46
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

BLES vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BLES	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	1.57	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.21	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.29	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.12	+0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.14	8.25	+0.89

BLES vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BLES Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is comparable to the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BLES and DFAI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BLES vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BLES drawdown since its inception was -40.35%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLES and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	BLES	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.35%	-27.44%	-12.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.29%	-10.95%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.46%	-13.25%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.61%	-27.44%	+0.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.45%	-3.10%	+0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.02%	-5.09%	-0.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.81%	-0.60%

Volatility

BLES vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Inspire Global Hope ETF (BLES) is 4.39%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 5.38%. This indicates that BLES experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BLES	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	5.38%	-0.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.21%	12.60%	-2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.92%	14.77%	-1.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.50%	16.03%	+0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.93%	15.77%	+3.16%

BLES vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

BLES has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BLES vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

BLES's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.81%, less than DFAI's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BLES Inspire Global Hope ETF	1.81%	1.97%	1.90%	1.80%	1.64%	9.28%	1.61%	2.16%	1.73%	2.01%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.29%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BLES and DFAI in my portfolio?

BLES and DFAI have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BLES or DFAI?

DFAI has higher volatility (5.38%) compared to BLES (4.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLES dropped -40.35% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, BLES or DFAI?

On 5-year performance, DFAI leads with 9.35% vs 7.19% for BLES. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, BLES has been the lower-risk option at 4.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BLES or DFAI?

Over the 5-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 9.35% return vs 7.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BLES or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for BLES.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BLES or DFAI?

DFAI has the higher dividend yield at 2.29%, compared with 1.81% for BLES.

What is the main difference between BLES and DFAI?

BLES is categorized as Global Equities, while DFAI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: Inspire and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for BLES and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 1.57), 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.