DFALX vs. DFIEX
DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) and DFIEX (DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFALX returned 10.18%/yr vs 10.16%/yr for DFIEX. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. DFALX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for DFIEX.
Performance
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFALX having a 12.42% return and DFIEX slightly lower at 12.10%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFALX having a 10.18% annualized return and DFIEX not far behind at 10.16%.
DFALX
- 1D
- -0.75%
- 1M
- 1.56%
- 6M
- 6.54%
- YTD
- 12.42%
- 1Y
- 27.43%
- 3Y*
- 17.70%
- 5Y*
- 10.28%
- 10Y*
- 10.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.61%
DFIEX
- 1D
- -0.80%
- 1M
- 1.72%
- 6M
- 5.99%
- YTD
- 12.10%
- 1Y
- 26.92%
- 3Y*
- 18.24%
- 5Y*
- 10.21%
- 10Y*
- 10.16%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.02%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio | 12.42% | 33.60% | 4.55% | 17.88% | -13.04% | 12.79% | 8.13% | 22.05% | -14.15% | 25.35% |
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class | 12.10% | 36.18% | 3.99% | 17.50% | -13.51% | 13.85% | 7.73% | 21.70% | -17.41% | 28.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFALX and DFIEX is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2005 | 0.99 |
The correlation between DFALX and DFIEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFALX vs. DFIEX — Risk / Return Rank
DFALX
DFIEX
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIEX). 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.
| DFALX | DFIEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.34 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.59 | 2.49 | +0.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.22 | 9.71 | +0.51 |
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Drawdowns
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFALX drawdown since its inception was -59.76%, roughly equal to the maximum DFIEX drawdown of -62.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFALX and DFIEX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFALX | DFIEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -59.76% | -62.22% | +2.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.70% | -11.01% | +0.31% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -13.11% | -12.81% | -0.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.52% | -28.66% | +1.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.58% | -41.04% | +5.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.75% | -0.80% | +0.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.96% | -12.09% | +0.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.71% | 2.82% | -0.11% |
Volatility
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Volatility Comparison
DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class (DFIEX) have volatilities of 4.16% and 4.26%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| DFALX | DFIEX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.16% | 4.26% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.41% | 12.26% | +0.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.67% | 14.47% | +0.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.76% | 15.82% | -0.06% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 15.92% | 16.12% | -0.20% |
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFALX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than DFIEX's 0.24% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
DFALX vs. DFIEX - Dividend Comparison
DFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, less than DFIEX's 2.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
DFIEX DFA International Core Equity 2 Portfolio Institutional Class | 2.95% | 3.22% | 3.42% | 3.36% | 2.88% | 2.98% | 1.77% | 2.90% | 2.95% | 2.49% | 2.76% | 4.20% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, DFALX and DFIEX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
DFIEX has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to DFALX (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFALX dropped -59.76% vs DFIEX's -62.22%.
DFIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.90), 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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