DFVIX vs. DFAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFVIX (DFA International Value III Portfolio) and DFAI (Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF) are both funds - DFVIX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Dimensional, while DFAI is a Global Equities fund actively managed by Dimensional. Over the past 5 years, DFVIX returned 15.29%/yr vs 9.36%/yr for DFAI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DFVIX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for DFAI.

Performance

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA International Value III Portfolio (DFVIX) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFVIX achieves a 13.32% return, which is significantly higher than DFAI's 9.16% return.

DFVIX

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: 3.66%
• YTD: 13.32%
• 6M: 17.21%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 24.49%
• 5Y*: 15.29%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

DFAI

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: 2.67%
• YTD: 9.16%
• 6M: 11.79%
• 1Y: 24.65%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 9.36%
• 10Y*: —

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

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DFVIX DFA International Value III Portfolio	13.32%	44.85%	6.86%	17.89%	-3.41%	23.59%	6.61%
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	9.16%	34.04%	4.68%	17.60%	-12.95%	13.86%	6.13%

Correlation

The correlation between DFVIX and DFAI is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2020	0.93

The correlation between DFVIX and DFAI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFVIX vs. DFAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFVIX

DFVIX Risk / Return Rank: 80
DFVIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
DFVIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
DFVIX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
DFVIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
DFVIX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

DFAI

DFAI Risk / Return Rank: 49
DFAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Omega Ratio Rank: 50
DFAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
DFAI Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA International Value III Portfolio (DFVIX) and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI). 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.

	DFVIX	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	1.76	+0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.49	+1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.32	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.90	2.26	+1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.36	8.87	+6.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFVIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is higher than the DFAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFVIX and DFAI, 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

	DFVIX	DFAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.72	1.76	+0.96
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.59	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.78	-0.37

Drawdowns

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFVIX drawdown since its inception was -66.53%, which is greater than DFAI's maximum drawdown of -27.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFVIX and DFAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFVIX	DFAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.53%	-27.44%	-39.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.53%	-10.95%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-13.25%	-1.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.26%	-27.44%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.89%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-1.61%	+1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.27%	-5.12%	-7.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	2.79%	-0.38%

Volatility

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for DFA International Value III Portfolio (DFVIX) is 3.86%, while Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (DFAI) has a volatility of 4.45%. This indicates that DFVIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFVIX	DFAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.86%	4.45%	-0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.85%	11.68%	-0.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.73%	14.08%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.46%	15.92%	+0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.10%	15.70%	+2.40%

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFVIX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is higher than DFAI's 0.18% 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

DFVIX vs. DFAI - Dividend Comparison

DFVIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, more than DFAI's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFAI Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF	2.26%	2.45%	2.72%	2.64%	2.72%	2.06%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
DFVIX DFA International Value III Portfolio	3.87%	4.09%	4.16%	4.44%	3.82%	7.97%	2.25%	3.53%	6.16%	3.02%	3.43%	5.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFVIX and DFAI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, DFVIX and DFAI 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, DFVIX or DFAI?

DFAI has higher volatility (4.45%) compared to DFVIX (3.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFVIX dropped -66.53% vs DFAI's -27.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFVIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.76), 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.