BNDX vs. DFGX
BNDX (Vanguard Total International Bond ETF) and DFGX (Dimensional Global Ex US Core Fixed Income ETF) are both Global Bonds funds. BNDX is passively managed, while DFGX is actively managed. Over the past year, BNDX returned 1.86% vs 2.55% for DFGX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BNDX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for DFGX.
Performance
BNDX vs. DFGX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BNDX achieves a 0.64% return, which is significantly lower than DFGX's 1.01% return.
BNDX
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 0.64%
- 6M
- 0.44%
- 1Y
- 1.86%
- 3Y*
- 4.14%
- 5Y*
- 0.35%
- 10Y*
- 1.71%
DFGX
- 1D
- 0.15%
- 1M
- 1.08%
- YTD
- 1.01%
- 6M
- 0.73%
- 1Y
- 2.55%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BNDX vs. DFGX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 0.64% | 2.86% | 3.57% | 4.81% |
DFGX Dimensional Global Ex US Core Fixed Income ETF | 1.01% | 3.46% | 3.75% | 4.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between BNDX and DFGX is 0.91, 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 | 0.91 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2023 | 0.89 |
The correlation between BNDX and DFGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BNDX vs. DFGX — Risk / Return Rank
BNDX
DFGX
BNDX vs. DFGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) and Dimensional Global Ex US Core Fixed Income ETF (DFGX). 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.
| BNDX | DFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.11 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.64 | 0.77 | -0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.82 | 2.24 | -0.42 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BNDX | DFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.55 | 0.63 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.42 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.61 | 1.12 | -0.51 |
Drawdowns
BNDX vs. DFGX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BNDX drawdown since its inception was -16.23%, which is greater than DFGX's maximum drawdown of -3.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDX and DFGX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BNDX | DFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.23% | -3.32% | -12.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.93% | -3.32% | +0.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -2.93% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.86% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -16.23% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.39% | -1.14% | -0.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.08% | -0.78% | -2.30% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 1.14% | -0.11% |
Volatility
BNDX vs. DFGX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) is 1.57%, while Dimensional Global Ex US Core Fixed Income ETF (DFGX) has a volatility of 1.68%. This indicates that BNDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BNDX | DFGX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.57% | 1.68% | -0.11% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.91% | 3.36% | -0.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.43% | 4.10% | -0.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.88% | 4.66% | +0.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.09% | 4.66% | -0.57% |
BNDX vs. DFGX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BNDX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than DFGX's 0.20% 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
BNDX vs. DFGX - Dividend Comparison
BNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, more than DFGX's 2.75% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDX Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | 4.49% | 4.39% | 4.18% | 4.42% | 1.51% | 3.74% | 1.11% | 3.40% | 3.01% | 2.23% | 1.89% | 1.63% |
DFGX Dimensional Global Ex US Core Fixed Income ETF | 2.75% | 2.84% | 4.61% | 0.49% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, BNDX and DFGX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
DFGX has higher volatility (1.68%) compared to BNDX (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDX dropped -16.23% vs DFGX's -3.32%.
On 1-year performance, DFGX leads with 2.55% vs 1.86% for BNDX. On fees, BNDX is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, BNDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DFGX has performed better with a 2.55% return vs 1.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDX is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for DFGX.
BNDX has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 2.75% for DFGX.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for BNDX and 0.20% for DFGX.
DFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.63 vs 0.55), 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.
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