PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
DFAI vs. BDVL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DFAI vs. BDVL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) and BDVL (iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF) are both Global Equities funds. DFAI is actively managed, while BDVL is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAI charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for BDVL.

Performance

DFAI vs. BDVL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) and iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAI achieves a 10.08% return, which is significantly higher than BDVL's 5.11% return.

DFAI

1D
0.84%
1M
2.35%
YTD
10.08%
6M
12.41%
1Y
25.22%
3Y*
18.70%
5Y*
9.55%
10Y*
—

BDVL

1D
0.38%
1M
0.49%
YTD
5.11%
6M
5.65%
1Y
—
3Y*
—
5Y*
—
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFAI vs. BDVL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025
DFAI
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF		10.08%5.37%
BDVL
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF		5.11%1.97%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAI and BDVL is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2025

0.83

DFAI vs. BDVL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DFAI
BDVL

Financial Services

22.5%
13.9%

Industrials

19.5%
15.4%

Technology

9.3%
23.0%

Basic Materials

8.8%
2.6%

Healthcare

8.8%
11.1%

Consumer Cyclical

8.6%
8.5%

Energy

6.8%
2.8%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
6.3%

Utilities

4.0%
4.8%

Communication Services

3.7%
10.7%

Real Estate

1.5%
1.0%

Financial Services

DFAI
22.5%
BDVL
13.9%

Industrials

DFAI
19.5%
BDVL
15.4%

Technology

DFAI
9.3%
BDVL
23.0%

Basic Materials

DFAI
8.8%
BDVL
2.6%

Healthcare

DFAI
8.8%
BDVL
11.1%

Consumer Cyclical

DFAI
8.6%
BDVL
8.5%

Energy

DFAI
6.8%
BDVL
2.8%

Consumer Defensive

DFAI
6.4%
BDVL
6.3%

Utilities

DFAI
4.0%
BDVL
4.8%

Communication Services

DFAI
3.7%
BDVL
10.7%

Real Estate

DFAI
1.5%
BDVL
1.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF

iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF

Often compared with DFAI:
DFAI vs. DFICDFAI vs. VXUSDFAI vs. AVDEDFAI vs. VEADFAI vs. DFAEDFAI vs. SCHFDFAI vs. FNDF
Often compared with BDVL:
BDVL vs. CGGEBDVL vs. VTBDVL vs. DFAWBDVL vs. UFOBDVL vs. IVESBDVL vs. AVGVBDVL vs. PAWZ

Return for Risk

DFAI vs. BDVL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DFAI
DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 5353
Sortino Ratio Rank
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4747
Calmar Ratio Rank
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
BDVL
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.

DFAI vs. BDVL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) and iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL). 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.

DFAIBDVLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.80

—

—

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.54

—

—

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

—

—

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.31

—

—

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.08

—

—

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAI vs. BDVL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

DFAIBDVLDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.80

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.60

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.79

1.07

-0.28

Drawdowns

DFAI vs. BDVL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAI drawdown since its inception was -27.44%, which is greater than BDVL's maximum drawdown of -7.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAI and BDVL.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

DFAIBDVLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-27.44%

-7.71%

-19.73%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.95%

—

—

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.25%

—

—

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.44%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.78%

-0.57%

-0.21%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.12%

-1.19%

-3.93%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.79%

—

—

Volatility

DFAI vs. BDVL - Volatility Comparison

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

DFAIBDVLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.39%

—

—

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.71%

—

—

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.07%

9.47%

+4.60%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.92%

9.47%

+6.45%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.70%

9.47%

+6.23%

DFAI vs. BDVL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAI has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than BDVL's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFAI vs. BDVL - Dividend Comparison

DFAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, less than BDVL's 2.65% yield.

PositionTTM202520242023202220212020
BDVL
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF		2.65%2.79%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
DFAI
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF		2.24%2.45%2.72%2.64%2.72%2.06%0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

DFAI and BDVL have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for BDVL.

BDVL has the higher dividend yield at 2.65%, compared with 2.24% for DFAI.

They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for DFAI and 0.40% for BDVL.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for DFAI and BDVL

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer