DFUSX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFUSX (DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DFUSX returned 15.52%/yr vs 17.65%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFUSX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFUSX achieves a 11.70% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 25.44% return. Over the past 10 years, DFUSX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 15.52%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.65% annualized return.

DFUSX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.70%
• 6M: 11.72%
• 1Y: 28.90%
• 3Y*: 22.69%
• 5Y*: 14.21%
• 10Y*: 15.52%

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 25.44%
• 6M: 26.85%
• 1Y: 58.91%
• 3Y*: 28.09%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 17.65%

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

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	11.70%	17.76%	24.91%	26.28%	-18.14%	28.53%	18.41%	32.08%	-4.45%	21.04%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.44%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between DFUSX and VPMAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2001	0.94

The correlation between DFUSX and VPMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFUSX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFUSX

DFUSX Risk / Return Rank: 77
DFUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
DFUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
DFUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
DFUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	DFUSX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	3.76	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	5.05	-1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.66	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	5.14	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.85	23.68	-7.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFUSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFUSX and VPMAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFUSX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	3.76	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.91	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.92	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.65	-0.19

Drawdowns

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFUSX drawdown since its inception was -54.96%, which is greater than VPMAX's maximum drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFUSX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFUSX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.96%	-48.32%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-11.72%	+2.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-20.55%	+1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.58%	-25.21%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.79%	-32.65%	-1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.60%	-6.58%	-4.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	2.54%	-0.66%

Volatility

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio (DFUSX) is 2.81%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.18%. This indicates that DFUSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFUSX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.81%	6.18%	-3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.99%	12.85%	-3.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.55%	16.02%	-4.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.87%	18.26%	-1.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.07%	19.19%	-1.12%

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFUSX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.27% 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

DFUSX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

DFUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than VPMAX's 13.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFUSX DFA U.S. Large Company Portfolio	0.95%	1.04%	1.24%	4.17%	6.24%	6.57%	3.82%	2.74%	2.64%	1.56%	1.95%	2.87%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.12%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFUSX and VPMAX in my portfolio?

DFUSX and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DFUSX or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.18%) compared to DFUSX (2.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFUSX dropped -54.96% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 vs 2.60), 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.