DFCEX vs. DFREX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFCEX (DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund) and DFREX (DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I) are both mutual funds - DFCEX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Dimensional, while DFREX is a REIT fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFCEX returned 11.09%/yr vs 5.71%/yr for DFREX. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFCEX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFREX.

Performance

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) and DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFCEX achieves a 25.19% return, which is significantly higher than DFREX's 11.42% return. Over the past 10 years, DFCEX has outperformed DFREX with an annualized return of 11.09%, while DFREX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.71% annualized return.

DFCEX

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 7.67%
• YTD: 25.19%
• 6M: 27.73%
• 1Y: 49.33%
• 3Y*: 23.14%
• 5Y*: 9.53%
• 10Y*: 11.09%

DFREX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 11.39%
• 3Y*: 9.79%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 5.71%

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

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	25.19%	28.79%	7.31%	15.45%	-16.44%	5.82%	13.86%	16.03%	-15.25%	36.55%
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	11.42%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCEX and DFREX is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2005	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between DFCEX and DFREX has dropped to 0.15 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFCEX vs. DFREX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCEX

DFCEX Risk / Return Rank: 89
DFCEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFCEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
DFCEX Omega Ratio Rank: 89
DFCEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFCEX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) and DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX). 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.

	DFCEX	DFREX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.32	0.85	+2.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.31	1.21	+3.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.62	1.15	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.15	1.32	+2.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.47	4.10	+12.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCEX Sharpe Ratio is 3.32, which is higher than the DFREX Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCEX and DFREX, 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

	DFCEX	DFREX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.32	0.85	+2.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.17	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.28	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.37	+0.07

Drawdowns

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCEX drawdown since its inception was -64.58%, smaller than the maximum DFREX drawdown of -74.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCEX and DFREX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCEX	DFREX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.58%	-74.36%	+9.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.12%	-8.40%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.74%	-17.64%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.05%	-33.11%	+3.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.33%	-41.49%	-0.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.91%	+2.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.61%	-11.34%	-1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	2.69%	+0.35%

Volatility

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) has a higher volatility of 6.43% compared to DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) at 3.79%. This indicates that DFCEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFREX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCEX	DFREX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.43%	3.79%	+2.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.07%	9.51%	+3.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.15%	13.07%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.70%	18.69%	-3.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	20.30%	-4.37%

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCEX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than DFREX's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFCEX vs. DFREX - Dividend Comparison

DFCEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.35%, less than DFREX's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	2.35%	2.90%	3.43%	3.53%	3.78%	2.59%	1.70%	2.42%	2.33%	1.92%	1.99%	2.28%
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.60%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCEX and DFREX in my portfolio?

DFCEX and DFREX have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFCEX or DFREX?

DFCEX has higher volatility (6.43%) compared to DFREX (3.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCEX dropped -64.58% vs DFREX's -74.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.32 vs 0.85), 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.