DFIV vs. VGIT
DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) and VGIT (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFIV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional, while VGIT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 3-10 Year Index. DFIV is actively managed, while VGIT is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFIV returned 23.03%/yr vs 3.40%/yr for VGIT. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFIV charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGIT.
Performance
DFIV vs. VGIT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFIV achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly higher than VGIT's -0.78% return.
DFIV
- 1D
- 0.38%
- 1M
- -0.58%
- YTD
- 10.17%
- 6M
- 14.07%
- 1Y
- 32.57%
- 3Y*
- 23.03%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGIT
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -0.87%
- YTD
- -0.78%
- 6M
- -0.42%
- 1Y
- 3.55%
- 3Y*
- 3.40%
- 5Y*
- -0.07%
- 10Y*
- 1.16%
DFIV vs. VGIT - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF | 10.17% | 45.36% | 7.26% | 17.75% | -3.70% | 0.08% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | -0.78% | 7.34% | 1.39% | 4.28% | -10.53% | -1.60% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFIV and VGIT is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2021 | 0.12 |
The correlation between DFIV and VGIT shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.29 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFIV vs. VGIT — Risk / Return Rank
DFIV
VGIT
DFIV vs. VGIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT). 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.
| DFIV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.28 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.57 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.19 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.39 | 1.26 | +2.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.05 | 3.66 | +9.38 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFIV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.36 | 1.08 | +1.28 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | -0.01 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.26 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.91 | 0.49 | +0.42 |
Drawdowns
DFIV vs. VGIT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFIV drawdown since its inception was -25.42%, which is greater than VGIT's maximum drawdown of -16.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFIV and VGIT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFIV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -25.42% | -16.05% | -9.37% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.66% | -2.83% | -6.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.72% | -4.34% | -10.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -15.02% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -16.05% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.23% | -2.71% | +0.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.47% | -3.52% | -0.95% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.50% | 0.97% | +1.53% |
Volatility
DFIV vs. VGIT - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF (VGIT) at 1.05%. This indicates that DFIV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFIV | VGIT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.83% | 1.05% | +2.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.26% | 2.36% | +8.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.91% | 3.32% | +10.59% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.65% | 5.38% | +11.27% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.65% | 4.50% | +12.15% |
DFIV vs. VGIT - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFIV has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is higher than VGIT's 0.03% 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
DFIV vs. VGIT - Dividend Comparison
DFIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, less than VGIT's 3.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF | 2.59% | 2.92% | 3.88% | 3.93% | 3.84% | 2.30% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGIT Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF | 3.88% | 3.79% | 3.67% | 2.73% | 1.74% | 1.69% | 2.23% | 2.24% | 2.05% | 1.67% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFIV and VGIT have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFIV has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to VGIT (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFIV dropped -25.42% vs VGIT's -16.05%.
On 3-year performance, DFIV leads with 23.03% vs 3.40% for VGIT. On fees, VGIT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGIT has been the lower-risk option at 1.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFIV has performed better with a 23.03% return vs 3.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGIT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.27% for DFIV.
VGIT has the higher dividend yield at 3.88%, compared with 2.59% for DFIV.
DFIV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VGIT is Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for DFIV and 0.03% for VGIT.
DFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.08), 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.
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