DFSIX vs. DFGBX

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

DFSIX (DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio) and DFGBX (DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio) are both mutual funds - DFSIX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFGBX is a Global Bonds fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFSIX returned 15.05%/yr vs 1.25%/yr for DFGBX. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. DFSIX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for DFGBX.

Performance

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DFSIX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFSIX achieves a 8.30% return, which is significantly higher than DFGBX's 1.81% return. Over the past 10 years, DFSIX has outperformed DFGBX with an annualized return of 15.05%, while DFGBX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.25% annualized return.

DFSIX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 2.59%
• 6M: 7.89%
• YTD: 8.30%
• 1Y: 18.20%
• 3Y*: 19.08%
• 5Y*: 11.59%
• 10Y*: 15.05%

DFGBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.65%
• 6M: 1.81%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: 4.38%
• 5Y*: 1.37%
• 10Y*: 1.25%

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

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFSIX DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	8.30%	15.92%	23.19%	25.70%	-17.85%	27.38%	21.25%	32.52%	-6.72%	20.80%
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	1.81%	3.13%	5.37%	5.00%	-6.63%	-1.03%	1.52%	4.04%	1.68%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between DFSIX and DFGBX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2008	-0.20

The correlation between DFSIX and DFGBX shifts across timeframes, from -0.20 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

DFSIX vs. DFGBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFSIX

DFSIX Risk / Return Rank: 42
DFSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
DFSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
DFSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
DFSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
DFSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

DFGBX

DFGBX Risk / Return Rank: 85
DFGBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
DFGBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DFGBX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
DFGBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DFGBX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DFSIX) and DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX). 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.

	DFSIX	DFGBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.63	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	4.17	-2.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.72	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.87	2.82	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.98	10.02	-2.04

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFSIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the DFGBX Sharpe Ratio of 2.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFSIX and DFGBX, 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

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFSIX drawdown since its inception was -53.77%, which is greater than DFGBX's maximum drawdown of -9.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFSIX and DFGBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFSIX	DFGBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.77%	-9.63%	-44.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.36%	-1.38%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.13%	-1.67%	-18.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.16%	-9.63%	-15.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.68%	-9.63%	-26.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.87%	-0.93%	-5.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	0.39%	+2.03%

Volatility

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio (DFSIX) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio (DFGBX) at 0.35%. This indicates that DFSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFGBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFSIX	DFGBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	0.35%	+4.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.37%	1.33%	+9.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.03%	1.48%	+11.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.64%	2.19%	+15.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	1.92%	+16.31%

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFSIX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than DFGBX's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DFSIX vs. DFGBX - Dividend Comparison

DFSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than DFGBX's 4.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFGBX DFA Five Year Global Fixed Income Portfolio	4.60%	2.91%	4.69%	3.61%	1.63%	0.73%	0.03%	2.30%	4.74%	0.89%	1.16%	1.72%
DFSIX DFA U.S. Sustainability Core 1 Portfolio	0.85%	0.88%	0.99%	1.21%	1.35%	2.13%	1.19%	2.02%	2.31%	1.92%	1.85%	2.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFSIX and DFGBX in my portfolio?

DFSIX and DFGBX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFSIX or DFGBX?

DFSIX has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to DFGBX (0.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFSIX dropped -53.77% vs DFGBX's -9.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFGBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 1.49), 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.