DFALX vs. VGTSX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

DFALX (DFA Large Cap International Portfolio) and VGTSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DFALX returned 10.22%/yr vs 9.30%/yr for VGTSX. Their 0.95 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. DFALX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VGTSX.

Performance

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFALX having a 13.26% return and VGTSX slightly lower at 12.73%. Over the past 10 years, DFALX has outperformed VGTSX with an annualized return of 10.22%, while VGTSX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.30% annualized return.

DFALX

• 1D: 2.43%
• 1M: 2.32%
• 6M: 8.00%
• YTD: 13.26%
• 1Y: 28.39%
• 3Y*: 17.61%
• 5Y*: 10.45%
• 10Y*: 10.22%
• ALL TIME*: 6.64%

VGTSX

• 1D: 2.76%
• 1M: 0.11%
• 6M: 6.61%
• YTD: 12.73%
• 1Y: 27.57%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 8.73%
• 10Y*: 9.30%
• ALL TIME*: 5.82%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	13.26%	33.60%	4.55%	17.88%	-13.04%	12.79%	8.13%	22.05%	-14.15%	25.35%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	12.73%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	21.44%	-14.47%	27.39%

Correlation

The correlation between DFALX and VGTSX is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 1996	0.95

The correlation between DFALX and VGTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFALX vs. VGTSX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DFALX

DFALX Risk / Return Rank: 80
DFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
DFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX). 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	VGTSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.64	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	2.26	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.30	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	2.32	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.17	8.60	+1.56

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFALX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the VGTSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFALX and VGTSX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFALX drawdown since its inception was -59.76%, roughly equal to the maximum VGTSX drawdown of -61.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFALX and VGTSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFALX	VGTSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.76%	-61.48%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.70%	-11.29%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-13.11%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.52%	-29.56%	+2.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.58%	-35.93%	+0.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.65%	+2.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.96%	-13.91%	+1.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	3.04%	-0.33%

Volatility

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Large Cap International Portfolio (DFALX) is 4.22%, while Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that DFALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGTSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFALX	VGTSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	5.46%	-1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.39%	14.15%	-1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.70%	16.01%	-1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.76%	15.36%	+0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.92%	15.83%	+0.09%

DFALX vs. VGTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFALX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VGTSX's 0.17% expense ratio. However, 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. VGTSX - Dividend Comparison

DFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.78%, more than VGTSX's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFALX DFA Large Cap International Portfolio	2.78%	2.89%	3.18%	3.24%	2.86%	3.00%	1.88%	2.88%	3.07%	2.55%	2.89%	2.94%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.48%	3.08%	3.26%	3.16%	2.98%	2.99%	2.05%	2.98%	3.09%	2.68%	2.86%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFALX and VGTSX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, DFALX and VGTSX 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.

Which is riskier, DFALX or VGTSX?

VGTSX has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to DFALX (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFALX dropped -59.76% vs VGTSX's -61.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.64), 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.