DFAE vs. SGOV
DFAE (Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF) and SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAE is a Emerging Markets Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while SGOV is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the ICE 0-3 Month US Treasury Securities Index. DFAE is actively managed, while SGOV is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DFAE returned 8.44%/yr vs 3.58%/yr for SGOV. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SGOV.
Performance
DFAE vs. SGOV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFAE achieves a 21.56% return, which is significantly higher than SGOV's 1.71% return.
DFAE
- 1D
- -5.77%
- 1M
- 1.20%
- YTD
- 21.56%
- 6M
- 22.20%
- 1Y
- 43.42%
- 3Y*
- 22.11%
- 5Y*
- 8.44%
- 10Y*
- —
SGOV
- 1D
- 0.01%
- 1M
- 0.28%
- YTD
- 1.71%
- 6M
- 1.80%
- 1Y
- 3.92%
- 3Y*
- 4.68%
- 5Y*
- 3.58%
- 10Y*
- —
DFAE vs. SGOV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | 21.56% | 31.48% | 7.68% | 12.63% | -17.52% | 3.53% | 5.93% |
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 1.71% | 4.24% | 5.27% | 5.12% | 1.58% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFAE and SGOV is -0.12, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2020 | 0.01 |
The correlation between DFAE and SGOV shifts across timeframes, from -0.12 (1 year) to 0.02 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFAE vs. SGOV — Risk / Return Rank
DFAE
SGOV
DFAE vs. SGOV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) and iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV). 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.
| DFAE | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -18.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -271.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 194.05 | -192.67 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.41 | 395.07 | -391.66 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.56 | 4,426.92 | -4,414.36 |
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Drawdowns
DFAE vs. SGOV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFAE drawdown since its inception was -32.21%, which is greater than SGOV's maximum drawdown of -0.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAE and SGOV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFAE | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -32.21% | -0.03% | -32.18% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.80% | -0.01% | -12.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.12% | -0.01% | -18.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.73% | -0.03% | -31.70% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.77% | 0.00% | -5.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.25% | -0.00% | -10.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.47% | 0.00% | +3.47% |
Volatility
DFAE vs. SGOV - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (DFAE) has a higher volatility of 12.23% compared to iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) at 0.06%. This indicates that DFAE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SGOV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFAE | SGOV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 12.23% | 0.06% | +12.17% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.85% | 0.13% | +19.72% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.76% | 0.19% | +21.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.45% | 0.24% | +18.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.36% | 0.24% | +18.12% |
DFAE vs. SGOV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFAE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than SGOV's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFAE vs. SGOV - Dividend Comparison
DFAE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, less than SGOV's 3.85% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAE Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | 1.80% | 2.20% | 2.35% | 2.43% | 2.85% | 1.63% | 0.01% |
SGOV iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | 3.85% | 4.10% | 5.10% | 4.87% | 1.45% | 0.03% | 0.05% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFAE and SGOV have a correlation of -0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFAE has higher volatility (12.23%) compared to SGOV (0.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAE dropped -32.21% vs SGOV's -0.03%.
On 5-year performance, DFAE leads with 8.44% vs 3.58% for SGOV. On fees, SGOV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SGOV has been the lower-risk option at 0.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DFAE has performed better with a 8.44% return vs 3.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SGOV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for DFAE.
SGOV has the higher dividend yield at 3.85%, compared with 1.80% for DFAE.
DFAE is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while SGOV is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for DFAE and 0.09% for SGOV.
SGOV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (20.32 vs 2.01), 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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