DFREX vs. DFCEX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

DFREX (DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I) and DFCEX (DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund) are both mutual funds - DFREX is a REIT fund managed by Dimensional, while DFCEX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFREX returned 5.68%/yr vs 11.02%/yr for DFCEX. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFREX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for DFCEX.

Performance

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFREX achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly lower than DFCEX's 25.26% return. Over the past 10 years, DFREX has underperformed DFCEX with an annualized return of 5.68%, while DFCEX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.02% annualized return.

DFREX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -1.26%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 6M: 13.17%
• 1Y: 12.26%
• 3Y*: 9.38%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 5.68%

DFCEX

• 1D: 2.36%
• 1M: 5.61%
• YTD: 25.26%
• 6M: 26.65%
• 1Y: 47.24%
• 3Y*: 21.58%
• 5Y*: 9.99%
• 10Y*: 11.02%

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

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	12.74%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	25.26%	28.79%	7.31%	15.45%	-16.44%	5.82%	13.86%	16.03%	-15.25%	36.55%

Correlation

The correlation between DFREX and DFCEX is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.13
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 8, 2005	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between DFREX and DFCEX has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFREX vs. DFCEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 15
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

DFCEX

DFCEX Risk / Return Rank: 85
DFCEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
DFCEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
DFCEX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DFCEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DFCEX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX). 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.

	DFREX	DFCEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.76	-1.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	3.53	-2.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.53	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	3.85	-2.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.51	14.62	-10.11

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the DFCEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFREX and DFCEX, 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

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFREX drawdown since its inception was -74.36%, which is greater than DFCEX's maximum drawdown of -64.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFREX and DFCEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFREX	DFCEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.36%	-64.58%	-9.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-12.12%	+3.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.64%	-16.74%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-29.76%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.49%	-42.33%	+0.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	0.00%	-3.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.32%	-12.59%	+1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.71%	3.18%	-0.47%

Volatility

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) is 5.02%, while DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund (DFCEX) has a volatility of 8.78%. This indicates that DFREX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFCEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFREX	DFCEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	8.78%	-3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.22%	15.19%	-4.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.66%	16.93%	-3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.74%	15.09%	+3.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.33%	16.08%	+4.25%

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFREX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than DFCEX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFREX vs. DFCEX - Dividend Comparison

DFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.57%, more than DFCEX's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCEX DFA Emerging Markets Core Equity Fund	2.35%	2.90%	3.43%	3.53%	3.78%	2.59%	1.70%	2.42%	2.33%	1.92%	1.99%	2.28%
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.57%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFREX and DFCEX in my portfolio?

DFREX and DFCEX have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFREX or DFCEX?

DFCEX has higher volatility (8.78%) compared to DFREX (5.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFREX dropped -74.36% vs DFCEX's -64.58%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFCEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 0.90), 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.