DFQTX vs. DFAC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFQTX (DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I) and DFAC (Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Dimensional. Over the past 3 years, DFQTX returned 20.95%/yr vs 20.56%/yr for DFAC. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFQTX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFAC.

Performance

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFQTX having a 12.21% return and DFAC slightly lower at 11.90%.

DFQTX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 12.21%
• 6M: 12.50%
• 1Y: 29.00%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

DFAC

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 4.57%
• YTD: 11.90%
• 6M: 12.19%
• 1Y: 28.89%
• 3Y*: 20.56%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	12.21%	15.99%	20.27%	21.88%	-14.21%	9.46%
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	11.90%	15.66%	19.61%	21.96%	-14.93%	9.51%

Correlation

The correlation between DFQTX and DFAC is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2021	0.99

The correlation between DFQTX and DFAC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFQTX vs. DFAC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFQTX

DFQTX Risk / Return Rank: 78
DFQTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
DFQTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
DFQTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFQTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
DFQTX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

DFAC

DFAC Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFAC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
DFAC Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DFAC Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFAC Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
DFAC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC). 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.

	DFQTX	DFAC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.39	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	3.31	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.43	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	3.42	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.77	15.17	+0.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFQTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the DFAC Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFQTX and DFAC, 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

	DFQTX	DFAC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.39	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.71	-0.19

Drawdowns

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFQTX drawdown since its inception was -59.35%, which is greater than DFAC's maximum drawdown of -23.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFQTX and DFAC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFQTX	DFAC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.35%	-23.12%	-36.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.47%	-8.49%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.71%	-20.02%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.64%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.67%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-5.45%	-2.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.91%	+0.01%

Volatility

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Volatility Comparison

DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX) and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAC) have volatilities of 2.94% and 3.01%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFQTX	DFAC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	3.01%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.90%	8.96%	-0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.67%	12.15%	-0.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	17.13%	-0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.26%	17.13%	+1.13%

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFQTX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAC's 0.17% 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

DFQTX vs. DFAC - Dividend Comparison

DFQTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, more than DFAC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAC Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF	0.91%	0.97%	1.03%	1.20%	1.50%	0.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	0.95%	1.06%	1.15%	1.74%	4.43%	4.74%	1.29%	3.50%	2.84%	1.97%	1.80%	3.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFQTX and DFAC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DFQTX and DFAC 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, DFQTX or DFAC?

DFAC has higher volatility (3.01%) compared to DFQTX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFQTX dropped -59.35% vs DFAC's -23.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFQTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.39), 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.