DFSB vs. DFAX
DFSB (Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF) and DFAX (Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DFSB is a Global Bonds fund actively managed by Dimensional, while DFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country World ex USA Index. DFSB is actively managed, while DFAX is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFSB returned 4.79%/yr vs 20.90%/yr for DFAX. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. DFSB charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for DFAX.
Performance
DFSB vs. DFAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFSB achieves a 0.84% return, which is significantly lower than DFAX's 15.23% return.
DFSB
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- 0.75%
- YTD
- 0.84%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 4.36%
- 3Y*
- 4.79%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DFAX
- 1D
- -1.00%
- 1M
- 3.89%
- YTD
- 15.23%
- 6M
- 18.11%
- 1Y
- 34.96%
- 3Y*
- 20.90%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
DFSB vs. DFAX - 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% |
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF | 15.23% | 35.42% | 4.78% | 16.66% | 1.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFSB and DFAX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2022 | 0.30 |
The correlation between DFSB and DFAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.44 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
DFSB vs. DFAX — Risk / Return Rank
DFSB
DFAX
DFSB vs. DFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) and Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX). 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 | DFAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.23 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.51 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.43 | -0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.44 | 3.16 | -1.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.49 | 12.50 | -8.01 |
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 | DFAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.14 | 2.37 | -1.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.88 | 0.65 | +0.23 |
Drawdowns
DFSB vs. DFAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFSB drawdown since its inception was -5.16%, smaller than the maximum DFAX drawdown of -28.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSB and DFAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFSB | DFAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -5.16% | -28.15% | +22.99% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.04% | -11.11% | +8.07% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.37% | -13.89% | +9.52% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.12% | -1.00% | -0.12% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.26% | -6.67% | +5.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.97% | 2.80% | -1.83% |
Volatility
DFSB vs. DFAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (DFSB) is 1.62%, while Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF (DFAX) has a volatility of 5.27%. This indicates that DFSB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFSB | DFAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.62% | 5.27% | -3.65% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.10% | 12.67% | -9.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.85% | 14.83% | -10.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 15.99% | -10.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.46% | 15.99% | -10.53% |
DFSB vs. DFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFSB has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than DFAX's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
DFSB vs. DFAX - Dividend Comparison
DFSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.61%, more than DFAX's 2.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFAX Dimensional World ex US Core Equity 2 ETF | 2.22% | 2.58% | 2.98% | 3.01% | 3.30% | 1.40% |
DFSB Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 3.61% | 3.46% | 4.35% | 5.27% | 0.41% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFSB and DFAX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
DFAX has higher volatility (5.27%) compared to DFSB (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSB dropped -5.16% vs DFAX's -28.15%.
On 3-year performance, DFAX leads with 20.90% vs 4.79% for DFSB. On fees, DFSB is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, DFSB has been the lower-risk option at 1.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, DFAX has performed better with a 20.90% return vs 4.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
DFSB is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for DFAX.
DFSB has the higher dividend yield at 3.61%, compared with 2.22% for DFAX.
DFSB is categorized as Global Bonds, while DFAX is Foreign Large Cap Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for DFSB and 0.30% for DFAX.
DFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.14), 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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