DFAAX vs. VCTPX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX).

DFAAX is managed by Dimensional. It was launched on May 5, 2021. VCTPX is managed by VALIC. It was launched on Dec 19, 2004.

Performance

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	-0.28%	5.18%	4.41%	9.49%	-13.40%	20.47%
VCTPX VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund	0.73%	4.22%	1.15%	4.03%	-10.23%	5.29%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAAX achieves a -0.28% return, which is significantly lower than VCTPX's 0.73% return.

DFAAX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: -2.10%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 6M: -0.90%
• 1Y: 1.97%
• 3Y*: 4.78%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCTPX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: -1.27%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 6M: 0.73%
• 1Y: 3.28%
• 3Y*: 2.20%
• 5Y*: 1.23%
• 10Y*: 2.32%

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

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAAX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than VCTPX's 0.52% expense ratio.

VCTPX

VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund

DFAAX

DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio

Return for Risk

DFAAX vs. VCTPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAAX

DFAAX Risk / Return Rank: 28
DFAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
DFAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
DFAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DFAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VCTPX

VCTPX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VCTPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VCTPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VCTPX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
VCTPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VCTPX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX). 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.

	DFAAX	VCTPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	0.99	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.92	1.39	-0.47
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.19	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.98	1.27	-0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.60	4.18	-0.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the VCTPX Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAAX and VCTPX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFAAX	VCTPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66	0.99	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.22	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.25	+0.30

Correlation

The correlation between DFAAX and VCTPX is 0.79, 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

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Dividend Comparison

DFAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.48%, more than VCTPX's 2.59% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFAAX DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio	3.48%	2.90%	4.09%	3.96%	2.06%	13.05%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCTPX VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund	2.59%	0.00%	13.97%	13.35%	8.00%	1.86%	2.20%	1.63%	1.98%	0.39%

Drawdowns

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAAX drawdown since its inception was -16.64%, roughly equal to the maximum VCTPX drawdown of -17.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAAX and VCTPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAAX	VCTPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.64%	-17.48%	+0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.99%	-3.45%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-12.81%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-12.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	-1.27%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-5.88%	+1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	1.04%	-0.23%

Volatility

DFAAX vs. VCTPX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Core Plus Real Return Portfolio (DFAAX) and VALIC Company I Inflation Protected Fund (VCTPX) have volatilities of 1.37% and 1.32%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAAX	VCTPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	1.32%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.98%	2.14%	-0.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.70%	3.94%	-0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.45%	5.61%	+2.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.45%	4.86%	+3.59%