DFAPX vs. USIG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFAPX (DFA Investment Grade Portfolio) and USIG (iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) are both funds - DFAPX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by Dimensional, while USIG is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US Corporate. Over the past 10 years, DFAPX returned 2.02%/yr vs 2.65%/yr for USIG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFAPX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for USIG.

Performance

DFAPX vs. USIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) and iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAPX achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly lower than USIG's 0.79% return. Over the past 10 years, DFAPX has underperformed USIG with an annualized return of 2.02%, while USIG has yielded a comparatively higher 2.65% annualized return.

DFAPX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.55%
• 6M: 0.52%
• 1Y: 5.47%
• 3Y*: 4.52%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: 2.02%

USIG

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 6.31%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: 0.87%
• 10Y*: 2.65%

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

DFAPX vs. USIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio	0.55%	7.22%	1.81%	6.84%	-12.92%	-1.57%	9.19%	9.97%	-0.24%	3.37%
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	0.79%	7.86%	2.56%	8.71%	-15.30%	-1.34%	9.44%	13.99%	-2.21%	5.75%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAPX and USIG is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2012	0.85

The correlation between DFAPX and USIG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFAPX vs. USIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAPX

DFAPX Risk / Return Rank: 24
DFAPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
DFAPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFAPX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
DFAPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
DFAPX Martin Ratio Rank: 24

USIG

USIG Risk / Return Rank: 43
USIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
USIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
USIG Omega Ratio Rank: 42
USIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
USIG Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

DFAPX vs. USIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) and iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG). 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.

	DFAPX	USIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.54	-0.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.26	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.27	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	2.18	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.26	7.14	-0.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAPX vs. USIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the USIG Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAPX and USIG, 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

	DFAPX	USIG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	1.54	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	0.13	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42	0.39	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.54	-0.05

Drawdowns

DFAPX vs. USIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAPX drawdown since its inception was -18.30%, smaller than the maximum USIG drawdown of -22.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAPX and USIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAPX	USIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.30%	-22.21%	+3.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.66%	-2.79%	+0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.74%	-6.10%	+1.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.22%	-21.45%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.30%	-21.45%	+3.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-0.73%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.47%	-3.42%	-0.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.85%	+0.07%

Volatility

DFAPX vs. USIG - Volatility Comparison

DFA Investment Grade Portfolio (DFAPX) and iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (USIG) have volatilities of 1.33% and 1.27%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	DFAPX	USIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.33%	1.27%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.72%	3.06%	-0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	4.13%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.82%	6.83%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	6.83%	-1.94%

DFAPX vs. USIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAPX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than USIG's 0.04% 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. USIG - Dividend Comparison

DFAPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.74%, less than USIG's 4.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAPX DFA Investment Grade Portfolio	3.74%	3.78%	3.79%	3.31%	2.62%	3.31%	2.14%	2.59%	2.67%	2.21%	2.12%	2.45%
USIG iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF	4.73%	4.62%	4.51%	3.94%	3.14%	2.33%	2.82%	3.37%	3.44%	3.03%	2.87%	3.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAPX and USIG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DFAPX and USIG 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, DFAPX or USIG?

DFAPX has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to USIG (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAPX dropped -18.30% vs USIG's -22.21%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs 1.33), 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.