DFSB vs. BNDW
DFSB (Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF) and BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) are both Global Bonds funds. DFSB is actively managed, while BNDW is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSB returned 4.79%/yr vs 3.99%/yr for BNDW. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFSB charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDW.
Performance
DFSB vs. BNDW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly higher than BNDW's 0.42% return.
DFSB
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.79%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
BNDW
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.18%
- 1Y
- 3.51%
- 3Y*
- 3.99%
- 5Y*
- 0.22%
- 10Y*
- —
DFSB vs. BNDW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 0.84% | 5.22% | 2.45% | 9.37% | -0.77% |
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 0.42% | 5.02% | 2.42% | 7.18% | -1.05% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSB and BNDW is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2022 | 0.95 |
The correlation between DFSB and BNDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFSB vs. BNDW — Risk / Return Rank
DFSB
BNDW
DFSB vs. BNDW - 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 World Bond ETF (BNDW). 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.
| DFSB | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.16 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.18 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.44 | 1.31 | +0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.49 | 3.70 | +0.79 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| DFSB | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.14 | 1.05 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.04 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.88 | 0.37 | +0.51 |
Drawdowns
DFSB vs. BNDW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSB drawdown since its inception was -5.16%, smaller than the maximum BNDW drawdown of -17.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSB and BNDW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSB | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -17.22% | +12.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.04% | -2.70% | -0.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.37% | -4.27% | -0.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -16.93% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.12% | -1.53% | +0.41% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.26% | -4.98% | +3.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 0.95% | +0.02% |
Volatility
DFSB vs. BNDW - Volatility Comparison
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) has a higher volatility of 1.62% compared to Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) at 1.31%. This indicates that DFSB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BNDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSB | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.62% | 1.31% | +0.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.10% | 2.62% | +0.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.85% | 3.36% | +0.49% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 5.21% | +0.25% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 4.90% | +0.56% |
DFSB vs. BNDW - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSB has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDW's 0.05% 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. BNDW - Dividend Comparison
DFSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, less than BNDW's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 4.21% | 4.12% | 3.90% | 3.73% | 2.02% | 2.58% | 1.56% | 3.05% | 1.66% |
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 3.61% | 3.46% | 4.35% | 5.27% | 0.41% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, DFSB and BNDW 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 (1.62%) compared to BNDW (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSB dropped -5.16% vs BNDW's -17.22%.
On 3-year performance, DFSB leads with 4.79% vs 3.99% for BNDW. On fees, BNDW is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, BNDW has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. 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 4.79% return vs 3.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDW is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.24% for DFSB.
BNDW has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 3.61% for DFSB.
They also come from different issuers: Dimensional and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DFSB and 0.05% for BNDW.
DFSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 1.05), 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.
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