DFTIX vs. VWIUX
DFTIX (DFA Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio) and VWIUX (Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, DFTIX returned 1.40%/yr vs 2.21%/yr for VWIUX. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DFTIX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VWIUX.
Performance
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DFTIX achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly higher than VWIUX's -0.07% return. Over the past 10 years, DFTIX has underperformed VWIUX with an annualized return of 1.40%, while VWIUX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.21% annualized return.
DFTIX
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -1.13%
- 6M
- -0.34%
- YTD
- 0.48%
- 1Y
- 3.29%
- 3Y*
- 2.83%
- 5Y*
- 1.03%
- 10Y*
- 1.40%
- ALL TIME*
- 1.66%
VWIUX
- 1D
- -0.22%
- 1M
- -1.81%
- 6M
- -0.99%
- YTD
- -0.07%
- 1Y
- 4.13%
- 3Y*
- 3.83%
- 5Y*
- 1.28%
- 10Y*
- 2.21%
- ALL TIME*
- 3.36%
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 |
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTIX DFA Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio | 0.48% | 3.70% | 1.12% | 4.29% | -3.69% | -0.50% | 3.66% | 4.59% | 1.34% | 2.14% |
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | -0.07% | 5.99% | 2.34% | 5.90% | -6.83% | 0.81% | 5.23% | 7.10% | 1.34% | 4.65% |
Correlation
The correlation between DFTIX and VWIUX is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.74 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.79 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.80 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2012 | 0.75 |
The correlation between DFTIX and VWIUX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DFTIX vs. VWIUX — Risk / Return Rank
DFTIX
VWIUX
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFTIX) and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX). 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.
| DFTIX | VWIUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.59 | 1.48 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.02 | 1.64 | +0.38 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.36 | 4.84 | +1.53 |
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Drawdowns
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DFTIX drawdown since its inception was -8.02%, smaller than the maximum VWIUX drawdown of -11.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFTIX and VWIUX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DFTIX | VWIUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.02% | -11.38% | +3.36% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.85% | -2.99% | +1.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.08% | -4.00% | +0.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -7.09% | -11.38% | +4.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.02% | -11.38% | +3.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.22% | -2.25% | +1.03% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -1.30% | -1.44% | +0.14% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.58% | 1.01% | -0.43% |
Volatility
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for DFA Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio (DFTIX) is 0.66%, while Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VWIUX) has a volatility of 0.79%. This indicates that DFTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWIUX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| DFTIX | VWIUX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.66% | 0.79% | -0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.41% | 2.02% | -0.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.75% | 2.45% | -0.70% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.24% | 3.29% | -1.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.44% | 3.43% | -0.99% |
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Expense Ratio Comparison
DFTIX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VWIUX's 0.09% 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
DFTIX vs. VWIUX - Dividend Comparison
DFTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, less than VWIUX's 3.12% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DFTIX DFA Intermediate-Term Municipal Bond Portfolio | 2.86% | 2.32% | 2.22% | 1.76% | 1.47% | 1.31% | 1.49% | 1.55% | 1.52% | 1.33% | 1.36% | 1.47% |
VWIUX Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares | 3.12% | 4.06% | 3.63% | 2.78% | 2.51% | 1.89% | 2.40% | 2.88% | 2.89% | 2.82% | 2.91% | 2.96% |
Frequently Asked Questions
DFTIX and VWIUX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VWIUX has higher volatility (0.79%) compared to DFTIX (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFTIX dropped -8.02% vs VWIUX's -11.38%.
DFTIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 2.00), 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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