DFREX vs. DFUSX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFREX (DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I) and DFUSX (DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFREX is a REIT fund managed by Dimensional, while DFUSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFREX returned 5.71%/yr vs 15.52%/yr for DFUSX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFREX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DFUSX.

Performance

DFREX vs. DFUSX - 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 U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with DFREX having a 11.42% return and DFUSX slightly higher at 11.70%. Over the past 10 years, DFREX has underperformed DFUSX with an annualized return of 5.71%, while DFUSX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.52% annualized return.

DFREX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 11.39%
• 3Y*: 9.79%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 5.71%

DFUSX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 11.72%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 14.21%
• 10Y*: 15.52%

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

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	11.42%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	11.70%	17.76%	24.91%	26.28%	-18.14%	28.53%	18.41%	32.08%	-4.45%	21.04%

Correlation

The correlation between DFREX and DFUSX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 1999	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between DFREX and DFUSX has dropped to 0.28 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

DFREX vs. DFUSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

DFUSX

DFUSX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DFUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DFUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFUSX 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. DFUSX - 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 U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX). 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.

	DFREX	DFUSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	2.60	-1.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	3.60	-2.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.47	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.32	3.39	-2.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.10	15.85	-11.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is lower than the DFUSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFREX and DFUSX, 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

	DFREX	DFUSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	2.60	-1.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.85	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.86	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.46	-0.08

Drawdowns

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFREX drawdown since its inception was -74.36%, which is greater than DFUSX's maximum drawdown of -54.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFREX and DFUSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFREX	DFUSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.36%	-54.96%	-19.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-8.88%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.64%	-18.76%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-24.58%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.49%	-33.79%	-7.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	0.00%	-2.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-10.60%	-0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	1.88%	+0.81%

Volatility

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Volatility Comparison

DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) has a higher volatility of 3.79% compared to DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX) at 2.81%. This indicates that DFREX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFUSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFREX	DFUSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	2.81%	+0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	8.99%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.07%	11.55%	+1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.69%	16.87%	+1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.30%	18.07%	+2.23%

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFREX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than DFUSX's 0.08% 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

DFREX vs. DFUSX - Dividend Comparison

DFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than DFUSX's 0.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.60%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	0.95%	1.04%	1.24%	4.17%	6.24%	6.57%	3.82%	2.74%	2.64%	1.56%	1.95%	2.87%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFREX and DFUSX in my portfolio?

DFREX and DFUSX have a correlation of 0.28, 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 DFUSX?

DFREX has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to DFUSX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFREX dropped -74.36% vs DFUSX's -54.96%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFUSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 0.85), 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.