DFEQX vs. VISTX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFEQX (DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio) and VISTX (Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund) are both Short-Term Bond funds. Over the past 10 years, DFEQX returned 1.93%/yr vs 2.45%/yr for VISTX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFEQX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VISTX.

Performance

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio (DFEQX) 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, DFEQX achieves a 1.31% return, which is significantly higher than VISTX's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, DFEQX has underperformed VISTX with an annualized return of 1.93%, while VISTX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.45% annualized return.

DFEQX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.31%
• 6M: 1.53%
• 1Y: 3.70%
• 3Y*: 4.83%
• 5Y*: 2.01%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

VISTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.19%
• 1Y: 4.05%
• 3Y*: 5.14%
• 5Y*: 2.50%
• 10Y*: 2.45%

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

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFEQX DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio	1.31%	4.27%	5.50%	5.44%	-5.18%	-0.60%	2.24%	4.51%	1.34%	1.51%
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	0.81%	5.68%	5.56%	4.98%	-3.73%	-0.04%	3.92%	4.20%	1.83%	1.42%

Correlation

The correlation between DFEQX and VISTX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.59

The correlation between DFEQX and VISTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (3 years) to 0.63 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFEQX vs. VISTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFEQX

DFEQX Risk / Return Rank: 95
DFEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
DFEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
DFEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 98
DFEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
DFEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VISTX

VISTX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VISTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
VISTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
VISTX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VISTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VISTX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio (DFEQX) 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.

	DFEQX	VISTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.50	3.25	+0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.55	5.40	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.08	1.75	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.94	5.00	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.65	20.80	-0.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFEQX Sharpe Ratio is 3.50, which is comparable to the VISTX Sharpe Ratio of 3.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFEQX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFEQX	VISTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.50	3.25	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	1.35	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.15	1.67	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	1.71	-0.57

Drawdowns

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFEQX drawdown since its inception was -8.40%, which is greater than VISTX's maximum drawdown of -5.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEQX and VISTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFEQX	VISTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-5.64%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.76%	-0.86%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.16%	-0.86%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.40%	-5.64%	-2.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-8.40%	-5.64%	-2.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.08%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.95%	-0.69%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.18%	0.21%	-0.03%

Volatility

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio (DFEQX) has a higher volatility of 0.45% compared to Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund (VISTX) at 0.39%. This indicates that DFEQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VISTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFEQX	VISTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.45%	0.39%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.89%	0.86%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07%	1.32%	-0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.08%	1.87%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.69%	1.47%	+0.22%

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFEQX has a 0.19% 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

DFEQX vs. VISTX - Dividend Comparison

DFEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.13%, less than VISTX's 4.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFEQX DFA Short-Term Extended Quality Portfolio	4.13%	3.62%	4.40%	3.34%	1.78%	1.05%	0.47%	2.18%	3.14%	1.51%	1.59%	1.72%
VISTX Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund	4.46%	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 DFEQX and VISTX in my portfolio?

DFEQX and VISTX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFEQX or VISTX?

DFEQX has higher volatility (0.45%) compared to VISTX (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEQX dropped -8.40% vs VISTX's -5.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFEQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.50 vs 3.25), 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.