DFGEX vs. AVRE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFGEX (DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio) and AVRE (Avantis Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 3 years, DFGEX returned 9.16%/yr vs 8.37%/yr for AVRE. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFGEX charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for AVRE.

Performance

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) and Avantis Real Estate ETF (AVRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFGEX having a 7.74% return and AVRE slightly lower at 7.55%.

DFGEX

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -1.48%
• YTD: 7.74%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 9.95%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 1.88%
• 10Y*: 3.79%

AVRE

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: -1.76%
• YTD: 7.55%
• 6M: 7.62%
• 1Y: 9.30%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	7.74%	7.92%	1.92%	9.54%	-23.84%	12.15%
AVRE Avantis Real Estate ETF	7.55%	8.34%	0.54%	9.10%	-23.70%	13.16%

Correlation

The correlation between DFGEX and AVRE is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2021	0.99

The correlation between DFGEX and AVRE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFGEX vs. AVRE — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFGEX

DFGEX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DFGEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
DFGEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFGEX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DFGEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
DFGEX Martin Ratio Rank: 15

AVRE

AVRE Risk / Return Rank: 23
AVRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
AVRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
AVRE Omega Ratio Rank: 22
AVRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
AVRE Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) and Avantis Real Estate ETF (AVRE). 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.

	DFGEX	AVRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	0.79	+0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	1.14	+0.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.14	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.04	+0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.50	3.79	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFGEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is comparable to the AVRE Sharpe Ratio of 0.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFGEX and AVRE, 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

	DFGEX	AVRE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	0.79	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.13	+0.20

Drawdowns

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFGEX drawdown since its inception was -42.67%, which is greater than AVRE's maximum drawdown of -32.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFGEX and AVRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFGEX	AVRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.67%	-32.52%	-10.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.04%	-9.38%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-17.34%	-0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.78%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.67%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.59%	-2.74%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.65%	-14.77%	+5.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.56%	2.57%	-0.01%

Volatility

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Volatility Comparison

DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio (DFGEX) and Avantis Real Estate ETF (AVRE) have volatilities of 3.45% and 3.53%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFGEX	AVRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	3.53%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.64%	9.03%	-0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.70%	11.90%	-0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	16.61%	-0.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.71%	16.61%	+1.10%

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFGEX has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than AVRE's 0.17% 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

DFGEX vs. AVRE - Dividend Comparison

DFGEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, more than AVRE's 3.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVRE Avantis Real Estate ETF	3.50%	4.30%	3.99%	3.33%	3.78%	0.61%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFGEX DFA Global Real Estate Securities Portfolio	3.78%	4.07%	3.78%	3.36%	5.70%	4.50%	2.29%	6.95%	5.09%	0.64%	0.32%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFGEX and AVRE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DFGEX and AVRE 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, DFGEX or AVRE?

AVRE has higher volatility (3.53%) compared to DFGEX (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFGEX dropped -42.67% vs AVRE's -32.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFGEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.90 vs 0.79), 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.