DFALX vs. AAPL

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while AAPL (Apple Inc) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, DFALX returned 9.57%/yr vs 29.63%/yr for AAPL. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DFALX vs. AAPL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and Apple Inc (AAPL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFALX achieves a 7.88% return, which is significantly lower than AAPL's 11.12% return. Over the past 10 years, DFALX has underperformed AAPL with an annualized return of 9.57%, while AAPL has yielded a comparatively higher 29.63% annualized return.

DFALX

• 1D: -2.41%
• 1M: -1.66%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 10.41%
• 1Y: 22.50%
• 3Y*: 17.50%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 9.57%

AAPL

• 1D: -1.89%
• 1M: 2.90%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 8.71%
• 1Y: 48.46%
• 3Y*: 19.11%
• 5Y*: 19.46%
• 10Y*: 29.63%

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

DFALX vs. AAPL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	7.88%	33.60%	4.55%	17.88%	-13.04%	12.79%	8.13%	22.05%	-14.15%	25.35%
AAPL Apple Inc	11.12%	9.05%	30.71%	49.01%	-26.40%	34.65%	82.31%	88.96%	-5.39%	48.46%

Correlation

The correlation between DFALX and AAPL is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 1991	0.31

The correlation between DFALX and AAPL shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.49 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFALX vs. AAPL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFALX

DFALX Risk / Return Rank: 35
DFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
DFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
DFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
DFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

AAPL

AAPL Risk / Return Rank: 88
AAPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
AAPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
AAPL Omega Ratio Rank: 88
AAPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AAPL Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

DFALX vs. AAPL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and Apple Inc (AAPL). 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.

	DFALX	AAPL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.18	-0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	3.09	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.39	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.15	3.53	-1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.36	8.89	-0.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFALX vs. AAPL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFALX Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the AAPL Sharpe Ratio of 2.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFALX and AAPL, 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

	DFALX	AAPL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	2.18	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.71	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	1.03	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.44	-0.07

Drawdowns

DFALX vs. AAPL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFALX drawdown since its inception was -59.76%, smaller than the maximum AAPL drawdown of -81.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFALX and AAPL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFALX	AAPL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.76%	-81.80%	+22.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.70%	-13.80%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-33.36%	+20.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.52%	-33.36%	+5.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.58%	-38.52%	+2.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.74%	-4.33%	+1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.00%	-29.60%	+17.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	5.48%	-2.74%

Volatility

DFALX vs. AAPL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) is 4.21%, while Apple Inc (AAPL) has a volatility of 5.68%. This indicates that DFALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAPL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFALX	AAPL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	5.68%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	15.99%	-4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.29%	22.41%	-8.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.71%	27.47%	-11.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.19%	28.91%	-12.72%

Dividends

DFALX vs. AAPL - Dividend Comparison

DFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than AAPL's 0.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AAPL Apple Inc	0.35%	0.38%	0.40%	0.49%	0.70%	0.49%	0.61%	1.04%	1.79%	1.45%	1.93%	1.93%
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	2.80%	2.89%	3.18%	3.24%	2.86%	3.00%	1.88%	2.88%	3.07%	2.55%	2.89%	2.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFALX and AAPL in my portfolio?

DFALX and AAPL have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFALX or AAPL?

AAPL has higher volatility (5.68%) compared to DFALX (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFALX dropped -59.76% vs AAPL's -81.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AAPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.61), 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.