DFCFX vs. VISTX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

DFCFX (DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio) and VISTX (Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, DFCFX returned 2.51%/yr vs 2.44%/yr for VISTX. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFCFX charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VISTX.

Performance

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) and Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFCFX achieves a 1.82% return, which is significantly higher than VISTX's 1.03% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFCFX having a 2.51% annualized return and VISTX not far behind at 2.44%.

DFCFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.19%
• 6M: 1.71%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 1Y: 3.82%
• 3Y*: 4.01%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: 2.51%

VISTX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.14%
• 6M: 0.95%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 1Y: 3.80%
• 3Y*: 5.23%
• 5Y*: 2.54%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

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

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	1.82%	2.28%	5.33%	4.92%	-3.28%	8.60%	0.57%	2.65%	1.78%	0.92%
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	1.03%	5.68%	5.56%	4.98%	-3.73%	-0.04%	3.92%	4.20%	1.83%	1.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DFCFX and VISTX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.36

The correlation between DFCFX and VISTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (3 years) to 0.40 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFCFX vs. VISTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFCFX

DFCFX Risk / Return Rank: 100
DFCFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Omega Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
DFCFX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VISTX

VISTX Risk / Return Rank: 95
VISTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VISTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VISTX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
VISTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VISTX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) and Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX). 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.

	DFCFX	VISTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	5.75	2.86	+2.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	13.86	4.55	+9.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	7.54	1.65	+5.89
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	19.30	4.43	+14.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	147.75	18.56	+129.19

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFCFX Sharpe Ratio is 5.75, which is higher than the VISTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFCFX and VISTX, 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

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFCFX drawdown since its inception was -4.27%, smaller than the maximum VISTX drawdown of -5.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFCFX and VISTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFCFX	VISTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.27%	-5.64%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.21%	-0.86%	+0.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.33%	-0.86%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-4.27%	-5.64%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-4.27%	-5.64%	+1.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.15%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.26%	-0.68%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.03%	0.21%	-0.18%

Volatility

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio (DFCFX) is 0.38%, while Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) has a volatility of 0.49%. This indicates that DFCFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VISTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFCFX	VISTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.38%	0.49%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.53%	0.97%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69%	1.33%	-0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.39%	1.88%	+2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.13%	1.48%	+1.65%

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFCFX has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VISTX's 0.02% 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

DFCFX vs. VISTX - Dividend Comparison

DFCFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, less than VISTX's 4.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCFX DFA Two-Year Fixed Income Portfolio	3.86%	2.16%	4.90%	3.43%	1.32%	8.29%	0.67%	2.22%	1.87%	1.22%	0.79%	0.53%
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	4.45%	4.53%	5.03%	3.91%	1.76%	1.85%	2.33%	2.72%	2.32%	1.78%	1.51%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFCFX and VISTX in my portfolio?

DFCFX and VISTX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFCFX or VISTX?

VISTX has higher volatility (0.49%) compared to DFCFX (0.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFCFX dropped -4.27% vs VISTX's -5.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.75 vs 2.86), 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.