DFLVX vs. DCARX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFLVX (DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio) and DCARX (DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFLVX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DCARX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DFLVX returned 11.94%/yr vs 2.51%/yr for DCARX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFLVX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for DCARX.

Performance

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFLVX achieves a 16.63% return, which is significantly higher than DCARX's 1.84% return.

DFLVX

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: 2.72%
• YTD: 16.63%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 32.08%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 11.94%
• 10Y*: 12.36%

DCARX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 1.84%
• 6M: 1.84%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 3.08%
• 5Y*: 2.51%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFLVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio	16.63%	16.36%	12.76%	11.52%	-5.81%	30.40%	-0.58%	25.46%	-11.68%	3.35%
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	1.84%	2.64%	3.16%	2.63%	-1.06%	6.21%	2.35%	5.08%	-0.46%	1.16%

Correlation

The correlation between DFLVX and DCARX is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2017	0.22

The correlation between DFLVX and DCARX shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (1 year) to 0.22 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFLVX vs. DCARX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFLVX

DFLVX Risk / Return Rank: 92
DFLVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DFLVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
DFLVX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DFLVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
DFLVX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

DCARX

DCARX Risk / Return Rank: 94
DCARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
DCARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
DCARX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DCARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
DCARX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX) and DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX). 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.

	DFLVX	DCARX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	2.84	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	4.67	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.78	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.67	6.43	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.59	17.30	+3.29

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFLVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is comparable to the DCARX Sharpe Ratio of 2.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFLVX and DCARX, 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

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFLVX drawdown since its inception was -65.65%, which is greater than DCARX's maximum drawdown of -12.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFLVX and DCARX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFLVX	DCARX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.65%	-12.27%	-53.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.86%	-0.47%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.64%	-1.39%	-15.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.83%	-4.79%	-15.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.37%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.46%	-0.74%	-7.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	0.17%	+1.43%

Volatility

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio (DFLVX) has a higher volatility of 3.77% compared to DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio (DCARX) at 0.34%. This indicates that DFLVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DCARX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFLVX	DCARX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	0.34%	+3.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.48%	0.89%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	1.06%	+10.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.87%	2.24%	+13.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.40%	2.90%	+15.50%

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFLVX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than DCARX's 0.26% 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

DFLVX vs. DCARX - Dividend Comparison

DFLVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, less than DCARX's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DCARX DFA California Municipal Real Return Portfolio	3.22%	3.11%	3.52%	1.84%	0.90%	0.78%	1.12%	1.43%	1.27%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%
DFLVX DFA U.S. Large Cap Value Portfolio	1.45%	1.71%	1.87%	3.65%	4.56%	5.90%	1.97%	4.04%	7.83%	6.06%	3.77%	6.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFLVX and DCARX in my portfolio?

DFLVX and DCARX have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFLVX or DCARX?

DFLVX has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to DCARX (0.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFLVX dropped -65.65% vs DCARX's -12.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFLVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.93 vs 2.84), 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.