DFCF vs. DFAW

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) and Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW).

DFCF and DFAW are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFCF is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Nov 15, 2021. DFAW is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Sep 26, 2023.

Performance

DFCF vs. DFAW - Performance Comparison

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

DFCF vs. DFAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	-0.10%	7.89%	1.86%	7.09%
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	-0.05%	20.62%	15.49%	11.57%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFCF achieves a -0.10% return, which is significantly lower than DFAW's -0.05% return.

DFCF

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: -0.10%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 4.99%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAW

• 1D: 2.97%
• 1M: -5.96%
• YTD: -0.05%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 22.61%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFCF vs. DFAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCF has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAW's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

DFAW

Dimensional World Equity ETF

DFCF

Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF

Return for Risk

DFCF vs. DFAW — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCF

DFCF Risk / Return Rank: 61
DFCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
DFCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
DFCF Omega Ratio Rank: 53
DFCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
DFCF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

DFAW

DFAW Risk / Return Rank: 79
DFAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
DFAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
DFAW Omega Ratio Rank: 79
DFAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFAW Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

DFCF vs. DFAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) and Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW). 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.

	DFCF	DFAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.32	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.49	1.94	-0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.29	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.77	1.87	-0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.55	9.04	-3.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFCF vs. DFAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCF Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the DFAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCF and DFAW, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFCF	DFAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	1.32	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.02	1.33	-1.31

Correlation

The correlation between DFCF and DFAW is 0.27, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

DFCF vs. DFAW - Dividend Comparison

DFCF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, more than DFAW's 1.74% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	4.50%	4.48%	4.61%	4.51%	3.27%	0.16%
DFAW Dimensional World Equity ETF	1.74%	1.71%	1.47%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

DFCF vs. DFAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCF drawdown since its inception was -19.56%, which is greater than DFAW's maximum drawdown of -16.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCF and DFAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCF	DFAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.56%	-16.93%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.90%	-12.24%	+9.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-6.17%	+4.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.30%	-1.75%	-6.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	2.54%	-1.61%

Volatility

DFCF vs. DFAW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) is 1.85%, while Dimensional World Equity ETF (DFAW) has a volatility of 5.75%. This indicates that DFCF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCF	DFAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.85%	5.75%	-3.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.72%	9.45%	-6.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.68%	17.14%	-12.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.54%	14.57%	-8.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.54%	14.57%	-8.03%