DFAPX vs. BIV
DFAPX (DFA Investment Grade Portfolio) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, DFAPX returned 2.02%/yr vs 1.82%/yr for BIV. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAPX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.
Performance
DFAPX vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFAPX achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, DFAPX has outperformed BIV with an annualized return of 2.02%, while BIV has yielded a comparatively lower 1.82% annualized return.
DFAPX
- 1D
- 0.29%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.94%
- 1Y
- 4.84%
- 3Y*
- 4.66%
- 5Y*
- 0.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.02%
BIV
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- -0.24%
- 6M
- -0.15%
- 1Y
- 4.06%
- 3Y*
- 4.34%
- 5Y*
- 0.21%
- 10Y*
- 1.82%
DFAPX vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio | 0.84% | 7.22% | 1.81% | 6.84% | -12.92% | -1.57% | 9.19% | 9.97% | -0.24% | 3.37% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.24% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.07% | -13.21% | -2.40% | 9.67% | 10.34% | -0.19% | 3.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFAPX and BIV is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | 0.94 |
The correlation between DFAPX and BIV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFAPX vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
DFAPX
BIV
DFAPX vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV). 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.
| DFAPX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.17 | +0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.88 | 1.28 | +0.59 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.11 | 3.59 | +1.52 |
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Drawdowns
DFAPX vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFAPX drawdown since its inception was -18.30%, roughly equal to the maximum BIV drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAPX and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFAPX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.30% | -18.95% | +0.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.66% | -3.18% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.74% | -6.07% | +1.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.22% | -18.74% | +0.52% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -18.30% | -18.95% | +0.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.01% | -2.04% | +1.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.46% | -3.38% | -0.08% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 1.13% | -0.16% |
Volatility
DFAPX vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) is 1.14%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) has a volatility of 1.22%. This indicates that DFAPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFAPX | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.14% | 1.22% | -0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.78% | 3.03% | -0.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.84% | 4.04% | -0.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.82% | 6.40% | -0.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.89% | 5.51% | -0.62% |
DFAPX vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFAPX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than BIV's 0.03% 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
DFAPX vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
DFAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.73%, less than BIV's 4.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.22% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio | 3.73% | 3.78% | 3.79% | 3.31% | 2.62% | 3.31% | 2.14% | 2.59% | 2.67% | 2.21% | 2.12% | 2.45% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, DFAPX and BIV 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.
BIV has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to DFAPX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAPX dropped -18.30% vs BIV's -18.95%.
DFAPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.30 vs 1.01), 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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