DFEV vs. VGIT
DFEV (Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFEV is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund actively managed by Dimensional, while VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. DFEV is actively managed, while VGIT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFEV returned 22.74%/yr vs 3.40%/yr for VGIT. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFEV charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGIT.
Performance
DFEV vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFEV achieves a 22.81% return, which is significantly higher than VGIT's -0.78% return.
DFEV
- 1D
- 1.62%
- 1M
- -2.01%
- YTD
- 22.81%
- 6M
- 25.32%
- 1Y
- 46.17%
- 3Y*
- 22.74%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.78%
- 6M
- -0.42%
- 1Y
- 3.55%
- 3Y*
- 3.40%
- 5Y*
- -0.07%
- 10Y*
- 1.16%
DFEV vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 22.81% | 32.54% | 7.26% | 15.52% | -6.71% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.78% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -3.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFEV and VGIT is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2022 | 0.13 |
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Return for Risk
DFEV vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank
DFEV
VGIT
DFEV vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.
| DFEV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.45 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.47 | 1.19 | +0.29 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.09 | 1.26 | +2.83 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.04 | 3.66 | +11.38 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFEV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.52 | 1.08 | +1.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.01 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.26 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.00 | 0.49 | +0.51 |
Drawdowns
DFEV vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFEV drawdown since its inception was -18.49%, which is greater than VGIT's maximum drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFEV and VGIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFEV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -18.49% | -16.05% | -2.44% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.35% | -2.83% | -8.52% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.94% | -4.34% | -13.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -15.02% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -16.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.42% | -2.71% | -3.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.65% | -3.52% | -1.13% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.08% | 0.97% | +2.11% |
Volatility
DFEV vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (DFEV) has a higher volatility of 9.67% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) at 1.05%. This indicates that DFEV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFEV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.67% | 1.05% | +8.62% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.20% | 2.36% | +13.84% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.42% | 3.32% | +15.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 5.38% | +11.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.68% | 4.50% | +12.18% |
DFEV vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFEV has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than VGIT's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFEV vs. VGIT - Dividend Comparison
DFEV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, less than VGIT's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFEV Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 2.13% | 2.69% | 3.17% | 3.47% | 3.35% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.88% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFEV and VGIT have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFEV has higher volatility (9.67%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFEV dropped -18.49% vs VGIT's -16.05%.
On 3-year performance, DFEV leads with 22.74% vs 3.40% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFEV has performed better with a 22.74% return vs 3.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for DFEV.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 2.13% for DFEV.
DFEV is categorized as Emerging Markets Diversified, while VGIT is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for DFEV and 0.03% for VGIT.
DFEV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.08), 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.
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