DFVEX vs. DFQTX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

DFVEX (DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund) and DFQTX (DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I) are both mutual funds - DFVEX is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFQTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Dimensional. Over the past 10 years, DFVEX returned 12.18%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for DFQTX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFVEX charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for DFQTX.

Performance

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX) and DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with DFVEX having a 11.74% return and DFQTX slightly lower at 11.64%. Over the past 10 years, DFVEX has underperformed DFQTX with an annualized return of 12.18%, while DFQTX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.06% annualized return.

DFVEX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.50%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 13.07%
• 1Y: 29.52%
• 3Y*: 18.46%
• 5Y*: 10.36%
• 10Y*: 12.18%

DFQTX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 11.64%
• 6M: 12.56%
• 1Y: 29.45%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 12.33%
• 10Y*: 14.06%

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

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFVEX DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund	11.74%	13.66%	14.36%	17.60%	-9.96%	32.10%	7.53%	26.11%	-13.24%	14.15%
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	11.64%	15.99%	20.27%	21.88%	-14.21%	28.46%	15.72%	29.41%	-9.65%	18.26%

Correlation

The correlation between DFVEX and DFQTX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2006	0.98

The correlation between DFVEX and DFQTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFVEX vs. DFQTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFVEX

DFVEX Risk / Return Rank: 71
DFVEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
DFVEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
DFVEX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
DFVEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DFVEX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

DFQTX

DFQTX Risk / Return Rank: 76
DFQTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DFQTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
DFQTX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
DFQTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
DFQTX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX) and DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX). 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.

	DFVEX	DFQTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.59	-0.12
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	3.65	-0.13
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.46	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	3.46	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.14	15.22	-1.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFVEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the DFQTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFVEX and DFQTX, 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

	DFVEX	DFQTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.59	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.73	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.77	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.51	-0.09

Drawdowns

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFVEX drawdown since its inception was -62.71%, which is greater than DFQTX's maximum drawdown of -59.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFVEX and DFQTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFVEX	DFQTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.71%	-59.35%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.45%	-8.47%	+0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.20%	-19.71%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.20%	-22.64%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.20%	-37.21%	-4.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.12%	-7.78%	-1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.92%	+0.12%

Volatility

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Volatility Comparison

DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund (DFVEX) and DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I (DFQTX) have volatilities of 2.96% and 2.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFVEX	DFQTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.96%	2.93%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.97%	8.90%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.20%	11.69%	+0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.22%	16.99%	+1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.15%	18.27%	+1.88%

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFVEX has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than DFQTX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFVEX vs. DFQTX - Dividend Comparison

DFVEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, more than DFQTX's 0.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFQTX DFA US Core Equity 2 Portfolio I	0.96%	1.06%	1.15%	1.74%	4.43%	4.74%	1.29%	3.50%	2.84%	1.97%	1.80%	3.78%
DFVEX DFA U.S. Vector Equity Fund	1.08%	0.91%	1.26%	3.33%	4.94%	9.56%	1.28%	2.98%	4.09%	4.41%	3.46%	4.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFVEX and DFQTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, DFVEX and DFQTX 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, DFVEX or DFQTX?

DFVEX has higher volatility (2.96%) compared to DFQTX (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFVEX dropped -62.71% vs DFQTX's -59.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFQTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.47), 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.