DFTEX vs. BLV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DFTEX (DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund) and BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) are both funds - DFTEX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index. Over the past 10 years, DFTEX returned 2.31%/yr vs 0.93%/yr for BLV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFTEX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BLV.

Performance

DFTEX vs. BLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFTEX achieves a 0.87% return, which is significantly lower than BLV's 1.00% return. Over the past 10 years, DFTEX has outperformed BLV with an annualized return of 2.31%, while BLV has yielded a comparatively lower 0.93% annualized return.

DFTEX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 0.87%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 5.45%
• 3Y*: 5.80%
• 5Y*: 0.54%
• 10Y*: 2.31%

BLV

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 1.00%
• 6M: 0.87%
• 1Y: 5.39%
• 3Y*: 1.92%
• 5Y*: -3.65%
• 10Y*: 0.93%

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

DFTEX vs. BLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund	0.87%	7.70%	2.89%	9.61%	-16.28%	-2.05%	10.26%	13.38%	-2.10%	5.20%
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	1.00%	6.44%	-3.65%	7.35%	-26.95%	-2.89%	16.13%	18.99%	-4.17%	10.74%

Correlation

The correlation between DFTEX and BLV 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012	0.90

The correlation between DFTEX and BLV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFTEX vs. BLV — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFTEX

DFTEX Risk / Return Rank: 27
DFTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
DFTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
DFTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
DFTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
DFTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

BLV

BLV Risk / Return Rank: 20
BLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
BLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
BLV Omega Ratio Rank: 18
BLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
BLV Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

DFTEX vs. BLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) and Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV). 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.

	DFTEX	BLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	0.68	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	1.03	+1.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.12	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	0.95	+0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.86	2.31	+3.55

DFTEX vs. BLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFTEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is higher than the BLV Sharpe Ratio of 0.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFTEX and BLV, 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

DFTEX vs. BLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFTEX drawdown since its inception was -22.83%, smaller than the maximum BLV drawdown of -38.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFTEX and BLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFTEX	BLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.83%	-38.29%	+15.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.22%	-5.73%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.38%	-15.16%	+9.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.83%	-36.27%	+13.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.83%	-38.29%	+15.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.94%	-23.60%	+22.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.44%	-9.55%	+5.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.99%	2.34%	-1.35%

Volatility

DFTEX vs. BLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) is 1.26%, while Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) has a volatility of 1.96%. This indicates that DFTEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFTEX	BLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.26%	1.96%	-0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.18%	5.75%	-2.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.20%	7.97%	-3.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.70%	12.93%	-6.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.89%	11.99%	-6.10%

DFTEX vs. BLV - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFTEX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than BLV'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

DFTEX vs. BLV - Dividend Comparison

DFTEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than BLV's 4.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF	4.77%	4.67%	5.09%	4.06%	4.17%	3.37%	6.12%	3.57%	4.07%	3.63%	4.16%	4.37%
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund	4.93%	4.30%	4.27%	3.79%	3.25%	4.12%	3.31%	3.06%	3.24%	2.91%	2.88%	3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFTEX and BLV in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, DFTEX and BLV 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.

Which is riskier, DFTEX or BLV?

BLV has higher volatility (1.96%) compared to DFTEX (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFTEX dropped -22.83% vs BLV's -38.29%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.39 vs 0.68), 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.