DFFGX vs. VFIRX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

DFFGX (DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio) and VFIRX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, DFFGX returned 1.23%/yr vs 1.71%/yr for VFIRX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFFGX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VFIRX.

Performance

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFFGX achieves a 1.38% return, which is significantly higher than VFIRX's 0.44% return. Over the past 10 years, DFFGX has underperformed VFIRX with an annualized return of 1.23%, while VFIRX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.71% annualized return.

DFFGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.72%
• 1Y: 2.69%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.23%

VFIRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 0.44%
• 6M: 0.75%
• 1Y: 3.37%
• 3Y*: 4.12%
• 5Y*: 1.51%
• 10Y*: 1.71%

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

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	1.38%	3.12%	5.29%	5.01%	-4.41%	-1.27%	0.39%	2.52%	1.17%	0.51%
VFIRX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares	0.44%	5.47%	3.85%	3.66%	-4.61%	-0.80%	4.06%	3.71%	1.47%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between DFFGX and VFIRX is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 14, 2001	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between DFFGX and VFIRX has dropped to 0.18 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFFGX vs. VFIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFFGX

DFFGX Risk / Return Rank: 63
DFFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DFFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
DFFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
DFFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VFIRX

VFIRX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VFIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VFIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
VFIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VFIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VFIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX). 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.

	DFFGX	VFIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.74	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.04	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	2.73	1.37	+1.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.56	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.57	8.61	+1.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFFGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the VFIRX Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFFGX and VFIRX, 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

	DFFGX	VFIRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.74	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	0.57	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.81	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	1.16	-0.95

Drawdowns

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFFGX drawdown since its inception was -6.49%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIRX drawdown of -6.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFFGX and VFIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFFGX	VFIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.49%	-6.73%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.00%	-1.40%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.19%	-1.40%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.49%	-6.73%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.49%	-6.73%	+0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.56%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.77%	-0.71%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.27%	0.42%	-0.15%

Volatility

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) is 0.35%, while Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares (VFIRX) has a volatility of 0.57%. This indicates that DFFGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFFGX	VFIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.35%	0.57%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.52%	1.50%	-0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21%	2.07%	-0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.84%	2.68%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.56%	2.12%	-0.56%

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFFGX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIRX's 0.10% 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

DFFGX vs. VFIRX - Dividend Comparison

DFFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.84%, less than VFIRX's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	2.84%	2.98%	4.87%	3.57%	1.85%	0.15%	0.29%	1.83%	1.53%	1.18%	0.99%	1.27%
VFIRX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Fund Admiral Shares	3.85%	3.99%	4.49%	4.07%	2.03%	0.60%	2.30%	2.49%	2.21%	1.25%	1.28%	0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFFGX and VFIRX in my portfolio?

DFFGX and VFIRX have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFFGX or VFIRX?

VFIRX has higher volatility (0.57%) compared to DFFGX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFFGX dropped -6.49% vs VFIRX's -6.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.74), 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.