DFCA vs. VCADX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFCA (Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF) and VCADX (Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past year, DFCA returned 4.66% vs 6.44% for VCADX. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFCA charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VCADX.

Performance

DFCA vs. VCADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). 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 VCADX's 1.24% return.

DFCA

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.84%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 6M: 1.20%
• 1Y: 4.66%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VCADX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.32%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.60%
• 1Y: 6.44%
• 3Y*: 4.45%
• 5Y*: 1.70%
• 10Y*: 2.30%

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

DFCA vs. VCADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	1.10%	2.99%	1.49%	2.68%
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.24%	5.90%	2.24%	3.77%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCA and VCADX is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2023	0.67

The correlation between DFCA and VCADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFCA vs. VCADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCA

DFCA Risk / Return Rank: 75
DFCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
DFCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFCA Omega Ratio Rank: 91
DFCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
DFCA Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VCADX

VCADX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VCADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VCADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VCADX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VCADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VCADX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. VCADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) and Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX). 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.

	DFCA	VCADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	2.88	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.03	4.45	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.76	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	2.17	+0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.38	6.91	+1.47

DFCA vs. VCADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCA Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is comparable to the VCADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCA and VCADX, 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

DFCA vs. VCADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCA drawdown since its inception was -3.28%, smaller than the maximum VCADX drawdown of -11.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCA and VCADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCA	VCADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.28%	-11.13%	+7.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.77%	-2.98%	+1.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.23%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-11.13%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-11.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-0.91%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.70%	-1.50%	+0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.56%	0.93%	-0.37%

Volatility

DFCA vs. VCADX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF (DFCA) is 0.47%, while Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VCADX) has a volatility of 0.59%. This indicates that DFCA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VCADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCA	VCADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.47%	0.59%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.29%	1.78%	-0.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72%	2.24%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.47%	3.25%	-0.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.47%	3.42%	-0.95%

DFCA vs. VCADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCA has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VCADX's 0.09% 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. VCADX - Dividend Comparison

DFCA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than VCADX's 3.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCA Dimensional California Municipal Bond ETF	2.69%	2.86%	2.86%	1.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.14%	3.82%	3.35%	2.57%	2.36%	1.77%	2.28%	2.72%	2.71%	2.66%	2.76%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCA and VCADX in my portfolio?

DFCA and VCADX have a correlation of 0.68, 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 VCADX?

VCADX has higher volatility (0.59%) compared to DFCA (0.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCA dropped -3.28% vs VCADX's -11.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 vs 2.72), 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.