DFCA vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFCA (Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFCA is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, DFCA returned 5.06% vs 25.22% for DFAI. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFCA charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

DFCA vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFCA achieves a 1.10% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 10.08% return.

DFCA

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 5.06%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 2.35%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 6M: 12.41%
• 1Y: 25.22%
• 3Y*: 18.70%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFCA vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	1.10%	2.99%	1.49%	2.59%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	10.08%	34.04%	4.68%	7.24%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCA and DFAI is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 28, 2023	0.23

Return for Risk

DFCA vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCA

DFCA Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
DFCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
DFCA Omega Ratio Rank: 92
DFCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
DFCA Martin Ratio Rank: 54

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 52
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 53
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

DFCA vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	DFCA	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	1.80	+1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.25	2.54	+1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.32	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	2.31	+0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.29	9.08	+0.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFCA vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCA Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is higher than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCA and DFAI, 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

	DFCA	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	1.80	+1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.13	0.79	+0.33

Drawdowns

DFCA vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCA drawdown since its inception was -3.28%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCA and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCA	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-27.44%	+24.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.77%	-10.95%	+9.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-13.25%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-0.78%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.70%	-5.12%	+4.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	2.79%	-2.24%

Volatility

DFCA vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) is 0.52%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 4.39%. This indicates that DFCA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCA	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.52%	4.39%	-3.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.30%	11.71%	-10.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.77%	14.07%	-12.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.48%	15.92%	-13.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.48%	15.70%	-13.22%

DFCA vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCA has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% 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

DFCA vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

DFCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than DFAI's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.24%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	2.69%	2.86%	2.86%	1.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCA and DFAI in my portfolio?

DFCA and DFAI have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFCA or DFAI?

DFAI has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to DFCA (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCA dropped -3.28% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which ETF is better, DFCA or DFAI?

On 1-year performance, DFAI leads with 25.22% vs 5.06% for DFCA. On fees, DFAI is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DFCA has been the lower-risk option at 0.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DFCA or DFAI?

Over the 1-year period, DFAI has performed better with a 25.22% return vs 5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFCA or DFAI?

DFAI is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.19% for DFCA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DFCA or DFAI?

DFCA has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 2.24% for DFAI.

What is the main difference between DFCA and DFAI?

DFCA is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while DFAI is Global Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for DFCA and 0.18% for DFAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 1.80), 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.