DBLFX vs. DFLEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DBLFX (DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund) and DFLEX (DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund) are both mutual funds - DBLFX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by DoubleLine, while DFLEX is a Nontraditional Bonds fund managed by DoubleLine. Over the past 10 years, DBLFX returned 2.04%/yr vs 3.75%/yr for DFLEX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DBLFX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for DFLEX.

Performance

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund (DBLFX) and DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DBLFX achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly lower than DFLEX's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, DBLFX has underperformed DFLEX with an annualized return of 2.04%, while DFLEX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.75% annualized return.

DBLFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 0.02%
• 6M: 0.06%
• 1Y: 5.08%
• 3Y*: 4.66%
• 5Y*: 0.68%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

DFLEX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.94%
• 1Y: 5.66%
• 3Y*: 7.49%
• 5Y*: 3.23%
• 10Y*: 3.75%

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

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DBLFX DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund	0.02%	7.54%	3.04%	6.44%	-12.76%	-0.34%	5.61%	7.99%	-0.01%	4.66%
DFLEX DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund	1.61%	6.58%	8.65%	7.84%	-8.48%	3.79%	2.93%	7.21%	0.10%	5.27%

Correlation

The correlation between DBLFX and DFLEX is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2014	0.59

The correlation between DBLFX and DFLEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (all time) to 0.71 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DBLFX vs. DFLEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DBLFX

DBLFX Risk / Return Rank: 23
DBLFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
DBLFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
DBLFX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
DBLFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
DBLFX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

DFLEX

DFLEX Risk / Return Rank: 98
DFLEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFLEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFLEX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DFLEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFLEX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund (DBLFX) and DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX). 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.

	DBLFX	DFLEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	4.36	-2.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	7.75	-5.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	2.35	-1.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	6.23	-4.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.31	28.16	-22.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DBLFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the DFLEX Sharpe Ratio of 4.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DBLFX and DFLEX, 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

	DBLFX	DFLEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	4.36	-2.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	1.68	-1.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	1.38	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	1.38	-0.52

Drawdowns

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DBLFX drawdown since its inception was -17.09%, roughly equal to the maximum DFLEX drawdown of -17.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DBLFX and DFLEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DBLFX	DFLEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.09%	-17.29%	+0.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.92%	-0.91%	-2.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.05%	-1.15%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.09%	-11.00%	-6.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.09%	-17.29%	+0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.59%	0.00%	-1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-1.55%	-1.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.20%	+0.76%

Volatility

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Volatility Comparison

DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund (DBLFX) has a higher volatility of 1.39% compared to DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund (DFLEX) at 0.45%. This indicates that DBLFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFLEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DBLFX	DFLEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.39%	0.45%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.71%	0.99%	+1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66%	1.31%	+2.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.24%	1.93%	+3.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.29%	2.73%	+1.56%

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DBLFX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than DFLEX's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

DBLFX vs. DFLEX - Dividend Comparison

DBLFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, less than DFLEX's 5.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DBLFX DoubleLine Core Fixed Income Fund	4.81%	4.87%	5.22%	4.66%	3.99%	3.12%	3.17%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.95%	3.59%
DFLEX DoubleLine Flexible Income Fund	5.54%	5.68%	6.05%	5.95%	4.72%	3.86%	3.96%	4.46%	4.46%	3.82%	3.75%	4.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DBLFX and DFLEX in my portfolio?

DBLFX and DFLEX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DBLFX or DFLEX?

DBLFX has higher volatility (1.39%) compared to DFLEX (0.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DBLFX dropped -17.09% vs DFLEX's -17.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFLEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.36 vs 1.40), 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.