DFGR vs. DFAI

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (DFGR) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI).

DFGR and DFAI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. DFGR is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Dec 6, 2022. DFAI is an actively managed fund by Dimensional. It was launched on Nov 17, 2020.

Performance

DFGR vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (DFGR) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

DFGR vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DFGR Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF	1.59%	7.65%	1.89%	9.64%	-1.24%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	4.03%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-0.54%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFGR achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly lower than DFAI's 4.03% return.

DFGR

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: -6.58%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 5.92%
• 3Y*: 6.57%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

DFAI

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: -4.63%
• YTD: 4.03%
• 6M: 9.10%
• 1Y: 29.81%
• 3Y*: 16.70%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFGR vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFGR has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% 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%.

DFGR

Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF

DFAI

Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF

Return for Risk

DFGR vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFGR

DFGR Risk / Return Rank: 24
DFGR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
DFGR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
DFGR Omega Ratio Rank: 22
DFGR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
DFGR Martin Ratio Rank: 27

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 87
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 87
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

DFGR vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (DFGR) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	DFGR	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	1.79	-1.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	2.44	-1.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.37	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.57	2.74	-2.17
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.20	10.73	-8.54
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFGR vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFGR Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFGR and DFAI, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFGR	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41	1.79	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.75	-0.37

Correlation

The correlation between DFGR and DFAI is 0.63, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

DFGR vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

DFGR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.19%, more than DFAI's 2.37% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFGR Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF	4.19%	4.05%	3.73%	2.77%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.37%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%

Drawdowns

DFGR vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFGR drawdown since its inception was -21.28%, smaller than the maximum DFAI drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFGR and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFGR	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.28%	-27.44%	+6.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.85%	-10.95%	+0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.84%	-6.23%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-5.21%	-1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	2.79%	+0.01%

Volatility

DFGR vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (DFGR) is 4.56%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 6.97%. This indicates that DFGR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFGR	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	6.97%	-2.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.35%	10.65%	-2.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.57%	16.73%	-2.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.53%	15.81%	-0.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.53%	15.66%	-0.13%