CASH vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

CASH (Meta Financial Group, Inc.) is a stock, while DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, CASH returned 10.61%/yr vs 9.46%/yr for DFAI. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CASH vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) 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, CASH achieves a 18.69% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 10.05% return.

CASH

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 5.41%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 13.22%
• 1Y: 13.46%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 10.61%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

DFAI

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 2.45%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 11.52%
• 1Y: 25.01%
• 3Y*: 17.84%
• 5Y*: 9.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

CASH vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	18.69%	-3.25%	39.47%	23.45%	-27.48%	63.82%	6.34%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	10.05%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	5.34%

Correlation

The correlation between CASH and DFAI is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 2020	0.48

Return for Risk

CASH vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

CASH

CASH Risk / Return Rank: 53
CASH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
CASH Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
CASH Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CASH Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CASH Martin Ratio Rank: 54

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 54
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 54
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

CASH vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) 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.

	CASH	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.39	1.63	-1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	2.32	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.29	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	2.18	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.01	8.47	-7.46

CASH vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CASH Sharpe Ratio is 0.39, which is lower than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CASH 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

CASH vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CASH drawdown since its inception was -83.66%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CASH and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CASH	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.66%	-27.44%	-56.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.21%	-10.95%	-11.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.20%	-13.25%	-11.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.84%	-27.44%	-23.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.72%	-0.80%	-14.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.89%	-5.11%	-17.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.07%	2.82%	+8.25%

Volatility

CASH vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

Meta Financial Group, Inc. (CASH) has a higher volatility of 7.26% compared to Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) at 5.12%. This indicates that CASH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CASH	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.26%	5.12%	+2.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.61%	12.29%	+10.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.77%	14.60%	+14.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.62%	16.01%	+17.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	41.29%	15.75%	+25.54%

Dividends

CASH vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

CASH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.30%, less than DFAI's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CASH Meta Financial Group, Inc.	0.24%	0.28%	0.27%	0.38%	0.46%	0.34%	0.55%	0.55%	0.96%	0.56%	0.51%	1.13%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.24%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CASH and DFAI in my portfolio?

CASH and DFAI have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CASH or DFAI?

CASH has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to DFAI (5.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CASH dropped -83.66% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.39), 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.