DFSB vs. BND
DFSB (Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFSB is a Global Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. DFSB is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSB returned 4.63%/yr vs 3.92%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFSB charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
DFSB vs. BND - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSB achieves a 0.22% return, which is significantly higher than BND's -0.54% return.
DFSB
- 1D
- -0.30%
- 1M
- -1.35%
- 6M
- -0.34%
- YTD
- 0.22%
- 1Y
- 1.75%
- 3Y*
- 4.63%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 4.43%
BND
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -1.20%
- 6M
- -0.75%
- YTD
- -0.54%
- 1Y
- 1.75%
- 3Y*
- 3.92%
- 5Y*
- -0.42%
- 10Y*
- 1.36%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.99%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $451.00M | $507.49M | $592.68M | |
| $2.18M | $2.42M | $2.26M |
DFSB vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 0.22% | 5.22% | 2.45% | 9.37% | -0.62% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | -0.54% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | 0.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSB and BND is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2022 | 0.93 |
The correlation between DFSB and BND has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
DFSB vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
DFSB
BND
DFSB vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
| DFSB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.11 | 1.12 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.79 | 0.99 | -0.20 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.29 | 2.48 | -0.19 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
DFSB vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSB drawdown since its inception was -5.16%, smaller than the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSB and BND.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| DFSB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -18.58% | +13.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.04% | -2.68% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.88% | -4.81% | +0.93% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -17.91% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.58% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.73% | -3.15% | +1.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.24% | -3.06% | +1.82% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.05% | 1.07% | -0.02% |
Volatility
DFSB vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) has a higher volatility of 1.07% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 0.98%. This indicates that DFSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| DFSB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.07% | 0.98% | +0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.32% | 2.90% | +0.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.94% | 3.70% | +0.24% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.41% | 6.03% | -0.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.41% | 5.53% | -0.12% |
DFSB vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSB has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% 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
DFSB vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
DFSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.65%, more than BND's 4.03% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 3.69% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 5.65% | 3.46% | 4.35% | 5.27% | 0.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, DFSB and BND 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.
DFSB has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to BND (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSB dropped -5.16% vs BND's -18.58%.
On 3-year performance, DFSB leads with 4.63% vs 3.92% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFSB has performed better with a 4.63% return vs 3.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for DFSB.
DFSB has the higher dividend yield at 5.65%, compared with 3.69% for BND.
DFSB is categorized as Global Bonds, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DFSB and 0.03% for BND.
BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.72 vs 0.61), 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.
Find the right allocation for DFSB and BND
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer