DFAW vs. DFGFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFAW (Dimensional World Equity ETF) and DFGFX (DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio) are both funds - DFAW is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFGFX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past year, DFAW returned 30.46% vs 2.64% for DFGFX. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFAW charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for DFGFX.

Performance

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) and DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFAW achieves a 12.92% return, which is significantly higher than DFGFX's 1.80% return.

DFAW

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.38%
• 1Y: 30.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFGFX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.80%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 2.64%
• 3Y*: 4.33%
• 5Y*: 2.34%
• 10Y*: 1.82%

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

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	12.92%	20.62%	15.49%	11.44%
DFGFX DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	1.80%	2.89%	5.36%	1.43%

Correlation

The correlation between DFAW and DFGFX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.07

The correlation between DFAW and DFGFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (all time) to 0.20 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFAW vs. DFGFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFAW

DFAW Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DFAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
DFAW Omega Ratio Rank: 78
DFAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DFAW Martin Ratio Rank: 79

DFGFX

DFGFX Risk / Return Rank: 43
DFGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
DFGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DFGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
DFGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) and DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGFX). 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	DFGFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	1.68	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.30	1.84	+1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	2.29	-0.85
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	1.89	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	5.81	+9.20

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFAW Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is higher than the DFGFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFAW and DFGFX, 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

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFAW drawdown since its inception was -16.93%, which is greater than DFGFX's maximum drawdown of -4.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFAW and DFGFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFAW	DFGFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.93%	-4.00%	-12.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-1.41%	-7.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-2.12%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-4.00%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-4.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	0.00%	-0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.70%	-0.23%	-1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.03%	0.46%	+1.57%

Volatility

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Volatility Comparison

Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) has a higher volatility of 4.80% compared to DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGFX) at 0.25%. This indicates that DFAW's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFAW	DFGFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	0.25%	+4.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.26%	0.54%	+9.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.68%	1.59%	+11.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.57%	1.81%	+12.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.57%	1.36%	+13.21%

DFAW vs. DFGFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFAW has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than DFGFX's 0.16% 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. DFGFX - Dividend Comparison

DFAW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.54%, less than DFGFX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	1.54%	1.71%	1.47%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFGFX DFA Two Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	3.09%	2.67%	4.77%	3.19%	1.17%	0.23%	0.57%	2.24%	2.21%	1.54%	0.65%	0.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFAW and DFGFX in my portfolio?

DFAW and DFGFX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFAW or DFGFX?

DFAW has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to DFGFX (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFAW dropped -16.93% vs DFGFX's -4.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.68), 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.