DFFGX vs. VUSTX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

DFFGX (DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio) and VUSTX (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, DFFGX returned 1.23%/yr vs -1.79%/yr for VUSTX. Their 0.56 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFFGX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for VUSTX.

Performance

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFFGX achieves a 1.79% return, which is significantly higher than VUSTX's -3.39% return. Over the past 10 years, DFFGX has outperformed VUSTX with an annualized return of 1.23%, while VUSTX has yielded a comparatively lower -1.79% annualized return.

DFFGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 1.48%
• YTD: 1.79%
• 1Y: 3.41%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 1.81%
• 10Y*: 1.23%
• ALL TIME*: 24.60%

VUSTX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: -3.33%
• 6M: -3.01%
• YTD: -3.39%
• 1Y: -1.89%
• 3Y*: -0.11%
• 5Y*: -7.32%
• 10Y*: -1.79%
• ALL TIME*: 4.84%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VUSTX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	1.79%	3.12%	5.29%	5.01%	-4.41%	-1.27%	0.39%	2.52%	1.17%	0.51%
VUSTX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	-3.39%	5.55%	-6.41%	3.33%	-29.58%	-4.93%	18.20%	14.14%	-1.89%	8.60%

Correlation

The correlation between DFFGX and VUSTX is 0.28, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.09
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 13, 1987	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between DFFGX and VUSTX has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFFGX vs. VUSTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DFFGX

DFFGX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DFFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DFFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 100

VUSTX

VUSTX Risk / Return Rank: 2
VUSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
VUSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
VUSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
VUSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
VUSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	DFFGX	VUSTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.37	-0.20	+4.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.76	-0.21	+7.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.47	0.98	+2.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.83	-0.22	+12.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	74.15	-0.50	+74.65

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFFGX Sharpe Ratio is 4.37, which is higher than the VUSTX Sharpe Ratio of -0.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFFGX and VUSTX, 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

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFFGX drawdown since its inception was -6.49%, smaller than the maximum VUSTX drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFFGX and VUSTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFFGX	VUSTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.49%	-46.37%	+39.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.30%	-7.46%	+7.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.19%	-13.58%	+12.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.31%	-41.45%	+35.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-6.49%	-46.37%	+39.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-38.58%	+38.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.76%	-9.46%	+8.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.05%	3.30%	-3.25%

Volatility

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) is 0.32%, while Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares (VUSTX) has a volatility of 2.32%. This indicates that DFFGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFFGX	VUSTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.32%	2.32%	-2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.70%	6.42%	-5.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81%	8.45%	-7.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	1.84%	14.50%	-12.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	1.55%	13.69%	-12.14%

DFFGX vs. VUSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFFGX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than VUSTX's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. VUSTX - Dividend Comparison

DFFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.77%, less than VUSTX's 4.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFFGX DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio	3.77%	2.98%	4.87%	3.57%	1.85%	0.15%	0.29%	1.83%	1.53%	1.18%	0.99%	1.27%
VUSTX Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Fund Investor Shares	4.25%	4.29%	4.03%	3.33%	2.93%	4.21%	10.38%	2.82%	2.82%	2.64%	5.27%	5.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFFGX and VUSTX in my portfolio?

DFFGX and VUSTX have a correlation of 0.28, 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 VUSTX?

VUSTX has higher volatility (2.32%) compared to DFFGX (0.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFFGX dropped -6.49% vs VUSTX's -46.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.37 vs -0.20), 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.