DFEOX vs. VTCLX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFEOX (DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I) and VTCLX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DFEOX returned 14.54%/yr vs 15.42%/yr for VTCLX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFEOX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTCLX.

Performance

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I (DFEOX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFEOX achieves a 11.59% return, which is significantly higher than VTCLX's 10.03% return. Over the past 10 years, DFEOX has underperformed VTCLX with an annualized return of 14.54%, while VTCLX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.42% annualized return.

DFEOX

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 11.59%
• 6M: 10.74%
• 1Y: 27.74%
• 3Y*: 19.90%
• 5Y*: 13.12%
• 10Y*: 14.54%

VTCLX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 10.03%
• 6M: 9.38%
• 1Y: 26.78%
• 3Y*: 20.54%
• 5Y*: 13.27%
• 10Y*: 15.42%

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

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEOX DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I	11.59%	16.00%	21.35%	22.97%	-14.99%	27.51%	16.44%	30.20%	-7.81%	20.26%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	10.03%	17.44%	23.76%	26.62%	-19.07%	26.87%	21.08%	31.47%	-4.98%	22.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEOX and VTCLX is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2005	0.98

The correlation between DFEOX and VTCLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFEOX vs. VTCLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFEOX

DFEOX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFEOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
DFEOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
DFEOX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DFEOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DFEOX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VTCLX

VTCLX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VTCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VTCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VTCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I (DFEOX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). 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.

	DFEOX	VTCLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.11	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.87	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.03	+0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.06	13.67	+1.39

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the VTCLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEOX and VTCLX, 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

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEOX drawdown since its inception was -56.77%, roughly equal to the maximum VTCLX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEOX and VTCLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEOX	VTCLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.77%	-55.18%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.28%	-8.79%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.24%	-19.01%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.86%	-24.98%	+2.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.55%	-34.56%	-1.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-1.15%	+0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.18%	-7.55%	+0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	1.95%	-0.10%

Volatility

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I (DFEOX) is 4.29%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) has a volatility of 4.78%. This indicates that DFEOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTCLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEOX	VTCLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	4.78%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.46%	9.99%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.89%	12.61%	-0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.95%	17.31%	-0.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	18.32%	-0.29%

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEOX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCLX's 0.05% 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

DFEOX vs. VTCLX - Dividend Comparison

DFEOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than VTCLX's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEOX DFA US Core Equity 1 Portfolio I	0.96%	1.06%	1.13%	1.43%	4.08%	3.69%	1.36%	3.02%	2.37%	1.61%	1.61%	2.98%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	0.91%	0.93%	1.04%	1.24%	1.47%	1.04%	1.32%	1.52%	1.83%	1.57%	1.76%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFEOX and VTCLX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, DFEOX and VTCLX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DFEOX or VTCLX?

VTCLX has higher volatility (4.78%) compared to DFEOX (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEOX dropped -56.77% vs VTCLX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.11), 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.