DFAW vs. BIV
DFAW (Dimensional World Equity ETF) and BIV (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFAW is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while BIV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Bond Index. DFAW is actively managed, while BIV is passively managed. Over the past year, DFAW returned 29.40% vs 4.61% for BIV. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAW charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BIV.
Performance
DFAW vs. BIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFAW achieves a 12.17% return, which is significantly higher than BIV's -0.06% return.
DFAW
- 1D
- 0.57%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- 12.17%
- 6M
- 12.94%
- 1Y
- 29.40%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BIV
- 1D
- -0.13%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- -0.06%
- 6M
- 0.31%
- 1Y
- 4.61%
- 3Y*
- 4.62%
- 5Y*
- 0.16%
- 10Y*
- 1.89%
DFAW vs. BIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF | 12.17% | 20.62% | 15.49% | 11.44% |
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | -0.06% | 8.52% | 1.57% | 6.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFAW and BIV is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023 | 0.26 |
The correlation between DFAW and BIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.26 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFAW vs. BIV — Risk / Return Rank
DFAW
BIV
DFAW vs. BIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) 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.
| DFAW | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.19 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.14 | 1.36 | +1.78 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.69 | 3.90 | +9.79 |
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Drawdowns
DFAW vs. BIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFAW drawdown since its inception was -16.93%, smaller than the maximum BIV drawdown of -18.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAW and BIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFAW | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -16.93% | -18.95% | +2.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.88% | -3.18% | -5.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -6.07% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -18.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.95% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.09% | -1.86% | +0.77% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.70% | -3.39% | +1.69% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 1.10% | +0.94% |
Volatility
DFAW vs. BIV - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF (BIV) at 1.45%. This indicates that DFAW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| DFAW | BIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.93% | 1.45% | +3.48% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.17% | 2.98% | +7.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.65% | 4.03% | +8.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.58% | 6.41% | +8.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.58% | 5.51% | +9.07% |
DFAW vs. BIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFAW has a 0.25% 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
DFAW vs. BIV - Dividend Comparison
DFAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.55%, less than BIV's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIV Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond Index ETF | 4.21% | 4.01% | 3.79% | 3.09% | 2.41% | 3.42% | 2.95% | 2.75% | 2.88% | 2.69% | 3.01% | 3.02% |
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF | 1.55% | 1.71% | 1.47% | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFAW and BIV have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFAW has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to BIV (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAW dropped -16.93% vs BIV's -18.95%.
On 1-year performance, DFAW leads with 29.40% vs 4.61% for BIV. On fees, BIV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BIV has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, DFAW has performed better with a 29.40% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BIV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DFAW.
BIV has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 1.55% for DFAW.
DFAW is categorized as Global Equities, while BIV is Intermediate Core Bond. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for DFAW and 0.03% for BIV.
DFAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.07), 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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