DFTEX vs. VGCAX
DFTEX (DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund) and VGCAX (Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - DFTEX is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by Dimensional, while VGCAX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, DFTEX returned -0.05%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for VGCAX. Their correlation of 0.95 means they have usually moved in the same direction. DFTEX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for VGCAX.
Performance
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFTEX achieves a -0.11% return, which is significantly lower than VGCAX's 0.35% return.
DFTEX
- 1D
- 0.19%
- 1M
- -1.36%
- 6M
- -0.50%
- YTD
- -0.11%
- 1Y
- 2.50%
- 3Y*
- 5.28%
- 5Y*
- -0.05%
- 10Y*
- 2.07%
- ALL TIME*
- 2.58%
VGCAX
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- -1.04%
- 6M
- -0.22%
- YTD
- 0.35%
- 1Y
- 2.91%
- 3Y*
- 5.66%
- 5Y*
- 0.91%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 3.77%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund | -0.11% | 7.70% | 2.89% | 9.61% | -16.28% | -2.05% | 10.26% | 13.38% | 1.58% |
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 0.35% | 7.30% | 3.99% | 9.22% | -13.43% | -0.64% | 10.81% | 13.05% | 0.96% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFTEX and VGCAX is 0.94, 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. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2018 | 0.95 |
The correlation between DFTEX and VGCAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFTEX vs. VGCAX — Risk / Return Rank
DFTEX
VGCAX
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - 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 Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX). 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 | VGCAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.18 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.05 | 1.19 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.12 | 3.74 | -0.62 |
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Drawdowns
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFTEX drawdown since its inception was -22.83%, which is greater than VGCAX's maximum drawdown of -18.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFTEX and VGCAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFTEX | VGCAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.83% | -18.63% | -4.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.22% | -2.90% | -0.32% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.50% | -3.54% | -0.96% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -22.83% | -18.63% | -4.20% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.83% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.90% | -1.41% | -0.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.42% | -4.27% | -0.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.08% | 0.92% | +0.16% |
Volatility
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Volatility Comparison
DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund (DFTEX) has a higher volatility of 1.03% compared to Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares (VGCAX) at 0.87%. This indicates that DFTEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFTEX | VGCAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.03% | 0.87% | +0.16% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.26% | 2.74% | +0.52% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.17% | 3.31% | +0.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.69% | 5.08% | +1.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.88% | 4.81% | +1.07% |
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFTEX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than VGCAX's 0.25% 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
DFTEX vs. VGCAX - Dividend Comparison
DFTEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.18%, more than VGCAX's 5.06% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTEX DFA Intermediate-Term Extended Quality Portfolio Fund | 5.18% | 4.30% | 4.27% | 3.79% | 3.25% | 4.12% | 3.31% | 3.06% | 3.24% | 2.91% | 2.88% | 3.90% |
VGCAX Vanguard Global Credit Bond Fund Admiral Shares | 5.06% | 4.91% | 4.65% | 4.48% | 2.72% | 3.16% | 4.65% | 6.88% | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, DFTEX and VGCAX 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.
DFTEX has higher volatility (1.03%) compared to VGCAX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFTEX dropped -22.83% vs VGCAX's -18.63%.
VGCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs 0.81), 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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