DFNL vs. NVDA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFNL (Davis Select Financial ETF) is Financials Equities fund actively managed by Davis Advisers, while NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, DFNL returned 10.20%/yr vs 65.05%/yr for NVDA. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

DFNL vs. NVDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFNL achieves a -5.82% return, which is significantly lower than NVDA's 15.15% return.

DFNL

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -1.94%
• YTD: -5.82%
• 6M: -1.79%
• 1Y: 12.54%
• 3Y*: 22.23%
• 5Y*: 10.20%
• 10Y*: —

NVDA

• 1D: -3.62%
• 1M: 8.20%
• YTD: 15.15%
• 6M: 19.59%
• 1Y: 52.10%
• 3Y*: 76.15%
• 5Y*: 65.05%
• 10Y*: 68.84%

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

DFNL vs. NVDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFNL Davis Select Financial ETF	-5.82%	28.59%	28.56%	14.45%	-8.45%	31.25%	-4.97%	27.37%	-11.59%	20.46%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation	15.15%	38.92%	171.25%	239.02%	-50.26%	125.48%	122.30%	76.94%	-30.82%	87.79%

Correlation

The correlation between DFNL and NVDA is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2017	0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between DFNL and NVDA has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFNL vs. NVDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFNL

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

NVDA

NVDA Risk / Return Rank: 78
NVDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
NVDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
NVDA Omega Ratio Rank: 73
NVDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
NVDA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

DFNL vs. NVDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA). 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.

	DFNL	NVDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	1.53	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.27	2.15	-0.88
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.26	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.97	2.59	-1.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.84	6.36	-3.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFNL vs. NVDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFNL Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is lower than the NVDA Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFNL and NVDA, 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

	DFNL	NVDA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	1.53	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	1.27	-0.74
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.63	-0.12

Drawdowns

DFNL vs. NVDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFNL drawdown since its inception was -44.51%, smaller than the maximum NVDA drawdown of -89.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFNL and NVDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFNL	NVDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.51%	-89.72%	+45.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.94%	-20.21%	+7.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.05%	-36.88%	+20.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.27%	-66.34%	+40.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.54%	-8.90%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-36.21%	+28.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	8.21%	-3.78%

Volatility

DFNL vs. NVDA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) is 3.93%, while NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) has a volatility of 12.53%. This indicates that DFNL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFNL	NVDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.93%	12.53%	-8.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	25.54%	-14.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.68%	34.22%	-19.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	51.69%	-32.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.62%	49.80%	-27.18%

Dividends

DFNL vs. NVDA - Dividend Comparison

DFNL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than NVDA's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFNL Davis Select Financial ETF	1.45%	1.37%	2.19%	2.33%	3.34%	2.45%	1.45%	2.52%	3.12%	1.10%	0.00%	0.00%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation	0.02%	0.02%	0.03%	0.03%	0.11%	0.05%	0.12%	0.27%	0.46%	0.29%	0.45%	1.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFNL and NVDA in my portfolio?

DFNL and NVDA have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFNL or NVDA?

NVDA has higher volatility (12.53%) compared to DFNL (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFNL dropped -44.51% vs NVDA's -89.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVDA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.86), 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.