DFIGX vs. SPTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFIGX (DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio) and SPTI (SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, DFIGX returned 0.83%/yr vs 1.35%/yr for SPTI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFIGX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SPTI.

Performance

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DFIGX) and SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF (SPTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFIGX achieves a 0.07% return, which is significantly higher than SPTI's -0.24% return. Over the past 10 years, DFIGX has underperformed SPTI with an annualized return of 0.83%, while SPTI has yielded a comparatively higher 1.35% annualized return.

DFIGX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.02%
• 1Y: 3.52%
• 3Y*: 2.93%
• 5Y*: -0.54%
• 10Y*: 0.83%

SPTI

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.23%
• YTD: -0.24%
• 6M: -0.24%
• 1Y: 3.68%
• 3Y*: 3.50%
• 5Y*: 0.14%
• 10Y*: 1.35%

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

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFIGX DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio	0.07%	6.33%	0.47%	4.58%	-13.12%	-3.14%	9.10%	7.22%	0.92%	1.65%
SPTI SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF	-0.24%	7.46%	1.32%	4.24%	-10.65%	-2.55%	7.70%	6.01%	2.27%	1.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DFIGX and SPTI is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2007	0.90

The correlation between DFIGX and SPTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFIGX vs. SPTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFIGX

DFIGX Risk / Return Rank: 10
DFIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
DFIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
DFIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
DFIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

SPTI

SPTI Risk / Return Rank: 28
SPTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
SPTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
SPTI Omega Ratio Rank: 28
SPTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPTI 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.

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DFIGX) and SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF (SPTI). 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.

	DFIGX	SPTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.09	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	1.65	-0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.19	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.17	1.24	-0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.47	3.78	-0.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFIGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is comparable to the SPTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFIGX and SPTI, 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

	DFIGX	SPTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	1.09	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.09	0.03	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.31	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.99	0.55	+0.44

Drawdowns

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFIGX drawdown since its inception was -19.56%, which is greater than SPTI's maximum drawdown of -16.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIGX and SPTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFIGX	SPTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.56%	-16.12%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.08%	-2.80%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.47%	-4.35%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.62%	-15.06%	-2.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.56%	-16.12%	-3.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.31%	-2.21%	-5.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.11%	-2.92%	-0.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.04%	0.92%	+0.12%

Volatility

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Volatility Comparison

DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio (DFIGX) has a higher volatility of 1.29% compared to SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF (SPTI) at 1.08%. This indicates that DFIGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFIGX	SPTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.29%	1.08%	+0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.69%	2.35%	+0.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	3.42%	+0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.23%	5.35%	+0.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.36%	4.37%	+0.99%

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFIGX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than SPTI's 0.06% 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

DFIGX vs. SPTI - Dividend Comparison

DFIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than SPTI's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIGX DFA Intermediate Government Fixed Income Portfolio	2.30%	2.22%	2.82%	2.33%	1.78%	2.36%	4.14%	2.16%	2.19%	1.57%	1.66%	2.49%
SPTI SPDR Portfolio Intermediate Term Treasury ETF	3.85%	3.79%	3.77%	2.99%	1.45%	0.53%	0.75%	2.02%	1.97%	1.46%	1.23%	1.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFIGX and SPTI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DFIGX and SPTI 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, DFIGX or SPTI?

DFIGX has higher volatility (1.29%) compared to SPTI (1.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIGX dropped -19.56% vs SPTI's -16.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 vs 0.83), 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.