DFAR vs. GABF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFAR (Dimensional US Real Estate ETF) and GABF (Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAR is a REIT fund actively managed by Dimensional, while GABF is a Financials Equities fund actively managed by Gabelli. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFAR returned 9.64%/yr vs 20.47%/yr for GABF. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFAR charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for GABF.

Performance

DFAR vs. GABF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAR achieves a 11.46% return, which is significantly higher than GABF's -7.03% return.

DFAR

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -0.51%
• YTD: 11.46%
• 6M: 10.41%
• 1Y: 11.45%
• 3Y*: 9.64%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GABF

• 1D: -1.89%
• 1M: -3.11%
• YTD: -7.03%
• 6M: -6.24%
• 1Y: -3.20%
• 3Y*: 20.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFAR vs. GABF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF	11.46%	1.31%	5.25%	11.04%	-8.49%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	-7.03%	3.60%	44.38%	38.92%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAR and GABF is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2022	0.57

The correlation between DFAR and GABF shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.57 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DFAR vs. GABF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DFAR	GABF
Real Estate	99.8%	6.0%
Financial Services	0.0%	84.6%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	4.6%
Technology	-	4.9%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DFAR vs. GABF — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAR

DFAR Risk / Return Rank: 25
DFAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
DFAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
DFAR Omega Ratio Rank: 23
DFAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
DFAR Martin Ratio Rank: 29

GABF

GABF Risk / Return Rank: 7
GABF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Omega Ratio Rank: 6
GABF Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
GABF Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

DFAR vs. GABF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) and Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF). 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.

	DFAR	GABF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	-0.19	+1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.25	-0.13	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	0.98	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	-0.19	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.29	-0.44	+4.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFAR vs. GABF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAR Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is higher than the GABF Sharpe Ratio of -0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAR and GABF, 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

	DFAR	GABF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88	-0.19	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.87	-0.71

Drawdowns

DFAR vs. GABF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAR drawdown since its inception was -32.27%, which is greater than GABF's maximum drawdown of -20.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAR and GABF.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAR	GABF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.27%	-20.86%	-11.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.43%	-17.16%	+8.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.64%	-20.86%	+3.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-11.60%	+8.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.22%	-4.86%	-9.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	7.27%	-4.60%

Volatility

DFAR vs. GABF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (DFAR) is 3.71%, while Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) has a volatility of 4.28%. This indicates that DFAR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GABF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAR	GABF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.71%	4.28%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.40%	13.14%	-3.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.10%	17.37%	-4.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.13%	20.54%	-1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.13%	20.54%	-1.41%

DFAR vs. GABF - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAR has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than GABF's 0.10% 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

DFAR vs. GABF - Dividend Comparison

DFAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, more than GABF's 2.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFAR Dimensional US Real Estate ETF	2.77%	2.97%	2.89%	3.06%	1.69%
GABF Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF	2.11%	1.96%	4.19%	4.95%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAR and GABF in my portfolio?

DFAR and GABF have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAR or GABF?

GABF has higher volatility (4.28%) compared to DFAR (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAR dropped -32.27% vs GABF's -20.86%.

Which ETF is better, DFAR or GABF?

On 3-year performance, GABF leads with 20.47% vs 9.64% for DFAR. On fees, GABF is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, DFAR has been the lower-risk option at 3.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFAR or GABF?

Over the 3-year period, GABF has performed better with a 20.47% return vs 9.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFAR or GABF?

GABF is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for DFAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFAR or GABF?

DFAR has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 2.11% for GABF.

What is the main difference between DFAR and GABF?

DFAR is categorized as REIT, while GABF is Financials Equities. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Gabelli. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for DFAR and 0.10% for GABF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.88 vs -0.19), 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.